Marshal Turenne satisfied the Council of War that "He had forgot to send for Ambassador Lockhart and Major-General Morgan to the first Council of War; and therefore thought fit to call this, that they might be satisfied!" and then put the question, "Whether if the enemy came on, he should make good the siege on the Newport side, and give them battle: or raise the siege?" and required they should give their reasons for either.
The Marcsehaux de Camp ran away with it [i.e., the idea], clearly to raise the siege; alleging what danger it was to the Crown of France to hazard a battle, within so strait a country, full of canals and ditches of water: further alleging that if the enemy came upon the Bank, they would cut between Marshal Turenne's and Major-General Morgan's camps, and prevent their conjunction.
Two of the Lieutenant-Generals ran along with the Mareschaux de Camp; and shewed the same reasons.
But Major-General Morgan (finding that it was high time to speak, and that otherwise it would go round the board [table]) rose up, and desired, though out of course, that he might declare his mind in opposition to what the Mareschaux de Camp and the two Lieutenant-Generals had declared.
Marshal Turenne told him, "He should have freedom to speak his thoughts."
Then Major-General Morgan spoke, and said that "The reasons the Mareschaux de Camp and the two Lieutenant-Generals had given for raising the siege, were no reasons: for the straitness of the country was as good for the French and English as for the enemy." And whereas they had alleged that "If the enemy came on the Bank between Furnes and Dunkirk, they would cut between Marshal Turenne's and Major-General Morgan's camps." Major-General Morgan replied, "It was impossible, for they could not march upon the Bank above eight a breast; and that Marshal Turenne's artillery and small shot would cut them off at pleasure." He added, "That was not the way, the enemy could relieve Dunkirk! but that they would make a bridge of boats over the channel in an hour and a half; and cross their army on to the sands of Dunkirk, to offer Marshal Turenne battle." Further, Major-General Morgan did allege, "What a dishonour it would be to the Crown of France! to have summoned the city of Dunkirk, and broke ground before it, and run away! And he desired the Council of War would consider that, if they raised the siege, the alliance with England would be broken the same hour."
Marshal Turenne answered that, "If he thought the enemy would offer that fair game; he would maintain the siege on the Newport side; and Major-General Morgan should march, and make conjunction with the French army, and leave the Mardyke side open."
Upon Marshal Turenne's reply, Major-General Morgan did rise from the board, and, upon his knees, begged a battle; and said that "he would venture the Six Thousand English, every soul!"
Upon which, Marshal Turenne consulted the Noblemen that sat next to him; and it was desired that Major-General Morgan might walk a turn or two without the tent; and he should be called immediately.
After he had walked two turns, he was called in. As soon as he came in, Marshal Turenne said that "He had considered his reasons; and that himself and the Council of War resolved to give battle to the enemy, if they came on; and to maintain the siege on the Newport side: and that Major-General Morgan was to make conjunction with the French army."