RELIC OF MARLBOROUGH

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 26 July 1929, Page 3

RELIC OF MARLBOROUGH

GIFT TO UNITED STATES A gift without precedent in the history of the Library of Congress at Washington, is a collection of autographed letters presented to it by the Duke of Alarlborough. The collection includes the original of the letter from the first duke, written on the. battlefield of l’aniillies, on 241 h Alay, 1706; a letter from Queen Victoria to 'tlic Duchess of Alarlborough in 1880. and three letters signed by the Earl of Beaconsfield. The duke's letter addressed to the Duchess Sarah, is as follows: — “I did not tell my dearest'soul in my last the design I had to engaging the enemy if possible to a battle, tearing I he concern she has tor me might make her uneasy, hut I can now give her the satisfaction of letting her know that oil Sundav last we height, and that God Almighty has been pleased to give us a victory. 1 must leave the particulars to I his hearer, Colonel Richards, tor haying been on horseback all Sunday and after the battle marching all night, my head aches to that degree that it is very uneasv lor me to write. Poor Bingfield, holding my stirrup for me, was killed. 1 hear that he leaves liis wife and mother in poor condilion. "1 can't write to any of my children, f-o that von will let them know that I am well, and that I desire they will 1 hank find for His preserving^me. And pray give my duty to the Queen and let her know the’truth of tny heart, that tlie greatest pleasure T have in tliis success is l hat it may be a great service to her affairs, for I am sincerely sensibie of all her goodness to me and mine. Pray believe, me when I assureyon i hat t love you rnoie than I can expiess."