RELIC OF MARLBOROUGH

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1929, Page 12

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 Marlborough. The collection includes the original of the letter from the first duke, written on the battlefield of Ramilies, on May 24, 1706; a letter from Queen Victoria to the Duchess of Marlborough 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, fearing the concern she has fpr me might make her uneasy, but I can now give her the satisfaction of letting her know that on Sunday last we fought, and that God Almighty has been pleased to give us a victory. I must leave the particulars to this bearer, Colonel Richards, for having been on horseback all Sunday and after the battle marching all night, my head aches to thta degree that it is very uneasy for me to write. Poor Bing’field, holding my stirrup for me, was killed. I hear that he leaves his wife and mother in poor condition. “I can't write to any of my children, so that you will let them know that I am well, and that I desire they will thank God for his preserving me. And pray give my duty to the Queen and let her know the truth of my heart, that the greatest pleasure I have in this success is that it may be a great service to her affairs, for I am sincerely sensible of all her goodness to me and mine. Pray believe me when I assure you that I love you more than I can express.”