Though the troops of Staremberg were inferior in number to those of the Spanish monarch, and greatly fatigued by their forced marches, a retreat at that moment, in the face of so active an enemy, was not to be thought of.  The battle immediately commenced, with its rushing squadrons and its thunder peals.  The Spaniards, sanguine of success, and inspired with the intensest hatred of their heretical foes, charged with irresistible fury.  The left wing of Staremberg was speedily cut to pieces, and the baggage taken.  The center and the right maintained their ground until night came to their protection.  Staremberg’s army was now reduced to nine thousand.  His horses were either slain or worn out by fatigue.  He was consequently compelled to abandon all his artillery and most of his baggage, as he again commenced a rapid retreat towards Barcelona.  The enemy pressed him every step of the way.  But with great heroism and military skill he baffled their endeavors to destroy him, and after one of the most arduous marches on record, reached Barcelona with a feeble remnant of but seven thousand men, ragged, emaciated and bleeding.  Behind the walls of this fortified city, and protected by the fleet of England, they found repose.

We must now turn back a few years, to trace the progress of events in Hungary and Austria.  Joseph, the emperor, had sufficient intelligence to understand that the rebellious and anarchical state of Hungary was owing to the cruelty and intolerance of his father.  He saw, also, that there could be no hope of permanent tranquillity but in paying some respect to the aspirations for civil and religious liberty.  The troubles in Hungary distracted his attention, exhausted the energies of his troops, and deprived him of a large portion of his political and military power.  He now resolved to try the effect of concessions.  The opportunity was propitious, as he could throw upon his father the blame of all past decrees.  He accordingly sent a messenger to the Hungarian nobles with the declaration that during his father’s lifetime he had never interfered in the government, and that consequently he was in no respect responsible for the persecution of which they complained.  And he promised, on the honor of a king, that instead of attempting the enforcement of those rigorous decrees, he would faithfully fulfill all the articles he had sworn to observe at his coronation; and that he accordingly summoned a diet for the redress of their grievances and the confirmation of all their ancient privileges.  As proof of his sincerity, he dismissed those ministers who had advised the intolerant decrees enacted by Leopold, and appointed in their place men of more mild and lenient character.