Page:The deplorable history of the Catalans, from their first engaging in the war, to the time of their reduction. (1714).djvu/53

 ordinary. Some Days before, came a Trumpeter from the Enemy to Field-Marshal StaremberghStarhemberg [sic]'s Quarters, with a Letter, to demand certain Prisoners, and with some Message of little Consequence. Whether some Suspicion was accidentally entertained of him, or whether he let fall Words that gave Occasion to examine him strictly, he was ask'dasked [sic] whether he had any other Letters about him? Whereupon he owned that he was entrusted with another Letter, which bring demanded of him, was found to be directed to the Commanding Officer of the British Troops. The Trumpeter was threatnedthreatened [sic] with the Gallows, for bringing Letters for any other than the Commander in Chief, to whom alone, according to the Rules of War, Letters ought to be directed; and by him only opened. Wherefore the Field-Marshal sent back the Letter to the Prince Tserclaes de Tilly, and wrote to him, That he thought a General should be better acquainted with the Laws and Customs of War, than to act in such a manner; and that if the like were done again, he might depend upon it, that the Bearer should be hanged up. Prince Tsercles returned a very civil Answer; but two Days after be made use of another Artifice: He caused a Subaltern Officer of an Irish Regiment to desert with a second Letter, ordering him to conceal it carefully, and to deliver it to none but the English Brigadier himself, which he did. No Person, (said the Prince in this Letter) but my self, the Collonel of an Irish Regiment and the Bearer, know that I write to you; 'tisit is [sic] to inform you that I have an Order for you from your Court; you will please to confider how to get it safely. Hereupon Brigadier Price called a Council of the Commanding Officers of his Regiments, to deliberate what to do, and whether he