It seems from a letter dated 15th of April 1815, of the Duke to Gneisenau, that he had ascertained that two corps of the enemy, composed of 45,000 infantry and 7,200 cavalry, were in his front between the Sambre and the sea: he immediately set off to reconnoitre the whole frontier: this occupied him four days. By reference to the “SECRET MEMORANDUM” in the Appendix, No. 1, it may be seen how prompt, energetic and comprehensive were the measures resolved upon by the duke of Wellington. As early as the 30th of April, he wrote to lord Uxbridge, “All the dispositions are so made that the whole army can be collected in one short movement, with the Prussians on our left.” One of Wellington’s difficulties in preparing for the contest, was the motley character of some of the foreign troops placed, or offered to be placed, under his command. Some Saxon troops in particular drew from him very severe, but characteristic strictures and contempt, as appears from the subjoined documents: _To the Earl of Clancarty, G. C. B._ “BRUSSELS, May 3d, 1815. “The Saxons mutinied last night at Liège, and obliged poor old Blücher to quit the town; the cause of the mutiny was the order to divide the corps, and that the Prussian part, in which the guards were included, should take the oath of allegiance to the king of Prussia. “We hear of Bonaparte’s quitting Paris, and of the march of troops to this frontier, in order to attack us. I met Blücher at Tirlemont this day, and received from him the most satisfactory assurances of support. “For an action in Belgium I can now put seventy thousand men into the field, and Blücher eighty thousand; so that, I hope, we should give a good account even of Bonaparte. “I am not satisfied with our delays. “WELLINGTON.” _To Prince Hardenberg._ “BRUSSELS, May 3d, 1815. “MY DEAR PRINCE, “I have received your letter of the 23d of April, and I regret that there has been a difference of opinion about the troops to be sent to this army. I am perfectly indifferent as to whether I have many or few foreign soldiers under my orders, and as it appears that prince Blücher and the Prussian officers are not disposed to let me be beaten by superior numbers, I am satisfied. “As to the Saxons, your Highness will probably receive by this same opportunity the reports of their conduct yesterday evening: and as I have not enough of good troops to be able to detach any of them to watch a body of men disposed to mutiny, I think I shall do best in having nothing to do with such troops; and if they do not get out of the affair of last evening in an honourable manner, and consistently with the military character, in spite of my respect for the powers who have placed them at my disposal, I shall beg to decline taking them under my command.