The letters in this series from Alexander Stanhope [English Envoy extraordinary to Spain (1689–1706) and Envoy to the States-General] to the Earl of Galway concern the Spanish War of Succession and British troops in Portugal under the Earl of Galway's command.
The letters concern: the positive response to the news that Lord Galway is to command Her Majesty's troops in Portugal; his gratefulness for the advantage his son will have in his trade having served under Lord Galway; Lord Galway's proposal to the Pensionary regarding the States receiving one of the three regiments to be made out of reformed officers on half pay and other French refugees; the treaty engaged in with the Marquis de Miremont for employing all the gentlemen in the Cevenes; Monsieur Vridegen expected in London; the pensionary's rejection of Lord Galway's proposal; a matter concerning "Monsieur Fagel's impertinent pretentions" as relayed by Sir Charles Hedges; the need for the pensionary to hinder the misunderstanding concerning Mr Fagel; a letter he encloses that he wrote to Sir Charles Hedges and Mr Secretary Harley [Robert Harley]; Mr Fagel's inability to see reason resulting in him being recalled; the deficiency of the Queen's troops; the one regiment of dragoons to be supplied by the Dutch to be replaced instead by a million of crusados to be lent to the King of Portugal; Prince Royal of Prussia at the Hague and ready to be with the Duke of Savoy in two months and to be joined by 4,000 Palatines; the concern for Gibraltar; the Pensionary's intention to write to Lord Galway; a number of people (Greffier and Mr Lingerland) who have written to Mr Fagel about his behaviour towards Lord Galway; the Pensionary's close relationship to the Duke of Cadaval; English deserters who took service in the Dutch troops to be restored to Lord Galway; the twelve large Dutch men of war ready to sail to Lisbon; lamentable accounts of the Portuguese army from those returning; suffering from gout; the whereabouts of his sons' regiments; congratulations on taking Salvaserra and Valentia; the arrival of recruits, horses, ammunition and other necessaries; Dutch squadron that sailed from Gore [Goes?]; his son joining Lord Peterborough as a brigadier; news from Huy that it has been besieged; army marching to Liege to attack the citadel; Duke of Marlborough's army not yet together; bad weather conditions; Mr Dourequerque inferior in number to Mr de Villeroy.