Fragment of an autograph letter : "Contich", to Sir James Murray [Pulteney], 1794 July 21.

Responding to his question about the conquered fortresses; relating, in detail, the correspondence involving the Duke of York, the Prince of Coburg, the Prince of Orange and General Kray, in an effort to devise a strategy against the French; saying "The whole of this proves that So far from attempting any thing for the Relief of Namur, nothing is thought of but a Retreat and from late experience I am convinced that all the letters that passed on the Subject were only a Blind. - All Idea of saving the conquered Fortresses must of course be given up and indeed the P. of Coburg sometime since declared that the Arrival of the Prussians & of other Reinforcements could alone induce Him to make a forward M[illegible] their Relief;" commenting briefly on the condition of specific fortresses; saying "But I doubt that the Austrians are earnest in their Desire to save them or indeed ever again to carry on an offensive War. I will not say that any private Agreement subsists between them and the French, but their late Conduct gives Room for strange Suspicion;" continuing with a new date of the "23d;" informing him that "Yesterday the Duke received another letter from the P. of Coburg to inform Him of His Retreat, at the same time very artfully attempting to throw the Blame of the Attack not having been made, on the P. of Orange & D. of Y. whilst in fact they only delayed it till they knew how far they could depend on His Support. He likewise received one from the P. Orange saying that as the P. of Coburg seemed little inclined to place a Garrison in Maestricht, though he had solemnly promised, He thought it necessary to take a Position with His Corps between Grave and Nimeguen to defend that part of Holland in case Maestricht should fall..."