David Carnegie Andrew Agnew

“ Even if it were not the case that the gallant admirals are unwilling to engage in the enterprise against the islands with the three or four battalions of your troops which had been destined for that service, it is contrary to the public interest to amuse oneself now with any operation on the coast. ”

“ The public interest requires that these battalions should serve in the reinforcements (supposing them to be in a condition to march) , in order to give better assurance of the great success which we should be able to obtain by advantageously giving tattle to the enemy, or by driving the French altogether from the continent of Spain, before they could be joined by succours from Italy. ”

“ One of them is arrested by order of Lord Galway, who cannot punish him, because he cannot infallibly contradict the report. The report is believed. Day after day French troops arrive from Italy. At length our allied army is hopelessly outnumbered; at least it cannot prevent the enemy from entering and occupying Madrid on the 4th of August (25th July, old style) .
On the 6th of August (27th July, o.s.) , King Charles and Lord Peterborough appear — the former with a kingly retinue — but too late. If the very late lord had brought his troops with him, a battle might still have been fought. ”

“ Further, it will not be necessary that your whole force should assemble in order to march all together, for the enemy being now at a distance from the road which these troops should take, you can make the cavalry advance regiment by regiment ”