However, pursuant to his Instructions from England, the repeated Desires of the Arch-Duke, and the Importunities of the Prince of Hesse, our General gave Orders to sail from Altea towards the Bay of Barcelona, the chief City of Catalonia.  Nevertheless, when we arriv’d there, he was very unwilling to land any of the Forces, till he saw some Probability of that Assistance and Succour so must boasted of, and so often promis’d.  But as nothing appear’d but some small Numbers of Men, very indifferently arm’d, and without either Gentlemen or Officers at the Head of them; the Earl of Peterborow was of Opinion, this could not be deem’d sufficient Encouragement for him to engage in an Enterprize, which carry’d so poor a Face of Probability of Success along with it.  In answer to this it was urg’d, that till a Descent was made, and the Affairs thoroughly engag’d in, it was not to be expected that any great Numbers would appear, or that Persons of Condition would discover themselves.  Upon all which it was resolv’d the Troops should be landed.

Accordingly, our Forces were disembark’d, and immediately encamp’d; notwithstanding which the Number of Succours increas’d very slowly, and that after the first straggling Manner.  Nor were those that did appear any way to be depended on; coming when they thought fit, and going away when they pleas’d, and not to be brought under any regular Discipline.  It was then pretended, that until they saw the Artillery landed as well as Forces, they would not believe any Siege actually intended.  This brought the General under a sort of Necessity of complying in that also.  Though certainly so to do must be allow’d a little unreasonable, while the Majority in all Councils of War declar’d the Design to be impracticable; and the Earl of Peterborow had positive Orders to proceed according to such Majorities.

At last the Prince of Hesse was pleas’d to demand Pay for those Stragglers, as Officers and Soldiers, endeavouring to maintain, that it could not be expected that Men should venture their Lives for nothing.  Thus we came to Catalonia upon Assurances of universal Assistance; but found, when we came there, that we were to have none unless we paid for it.  And as we were sent thither without Money to pay for any thing, it had certainly been for us more tolerable to have been in a Country where we might have taken by Force what we could not obtain any other way.

However, to do the Miquelets all possible Justice, I must say, that notwithstanding the Number of ’em, which hover’d about the Place, never much exceeded fifteen Hundred Men; if sometimes more, oftner less; and though they never came under any Command, but planted themselves where and as they pleas’d; yet did they considerable Service in taking Possession of all the Country Houses and Convents, that lay between the Hills and the Plain of Barcelona; by means whereof they render’d it impossible for the Enemy to make any Sorties or Sallies at any Distance from the Town.