1696] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 185 for a just cause is rewarded

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

1696] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 185

for a just cause is rewarded, and will be rewarded either in this or the other
world. I wish that my bearing a share of your grieflfe might procure you
ease ; then should you, in a large measure, find allay.

I found myself very much concerned at the misfortunes of the loyall
party, and especially yours for many respects, which moved me, hearing of
your stay at Leyden, to desire these ffriends, who travelled from hence, to
present my due respects to you.

The gentleman, your goodfellow, whom you are pleased to recommend,
shall, upon your account, receive all the kindness and assistance I am capable
of, not doubting but he is a well qualifyed and deserving person.

I shall take it for a great kindnes now and then to have a Hue from you,
when occasion oflfers, which shall alwayes find a joyful! acceptance, and a
returne. I entreat you freely to command,

May it please your Grace,

Your Graces most humble servant,

P. GORDON.

[By March, Gordon was again advancing upon Azof at the head of about fifteen thousand March,
infantry. He was at Woronesh on the nineteenth of April, when he records his presence ' at a April H).
feast by Generall le Fort, where, with great solemnity, was drank the Usurpator of Great
Brittaine his health, which I refused, and, in place thereof, drank King James his good health.'

The second siege of Azof began in June. The share which Gordon had in it may be told in June,
the words of an eye-witness, his son-in-law, Alexander Gordon of Auchintoul. ' The Czar,'
says this writer, ' considering the great loss of time he had sustained the preceding year, called
a council of war to know the opinion of the generals about the safest and most expeditious
method of becoming masters of the place. Most of them delivered their sentiments in the
common way, by cariying on attacks, making of great breaches, with mines and batteries;
which (they said) would infallibly oblige the Governor to capitulate in the terms of war, or
expect the worst. Then General [Patrick] Gordon, as the oldest general, gave his opinion that
the safest and most expeditious way to become masters of the town, would be to carry on before
them a whole rampart of earth along the front of the town, which, as they advanced, would
hourly increase. By having ten or twelve thousand men night and day at work, said he, we
shall carry and roll as much earth before us, as will not only be sufficient to fill up the fosse,
but will have more over and above than will exceed the height of the town walls ; by which
means, in a few weeks, we shall oblige the enemy to surrender, or we shall bury them alive.
The Czar preferred this opinion, and told them to do as he proposed. So to work they went
with such cheerfulness, that, within the space of five weeks, the fosse was actually full, and the
earth above the height of the ramparts rolling in over them; which obliged the Governor to

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