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HOLLAND THE HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS

BY
THOMAS COLLEY GRATTAN
WITH A SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER OF RECENT EVENTS BY JULIAN HAWTHORNE
Lardner's ‘Cyclop.’ vol. x. 1830

CONTENTS


 

CHAPTER I

FROM THE INVASION OF THE NETHERLANDS BY THE ROMANS TO THE INVASION BY THE SALIAN FRANKS B.C. 50--A.D. 250

Extent of the Kingdom--Description of the People--Ancient State of the Low Countries--Of the High Grounds--Contrasted with the present Aspect of the Country--Expedition of Julius Cæsar--The Belgæ--The Menapians--Batavians--Distinguished among the Auxiliaries of Rome--Decrease of national Feeling in Part of the Country--Steady Patriotism of the Frisons and Menapians Commencement of Civilization--Early Formation of the Dikes- Degeneracy of those who became united to the Romans--Invasion of the Netherlands by the Salian Franks.

CHAPTER II

FROM THE SETTLEMENT OF THE FRANKS TO THE SUBJUGATION OF FRIESLAND BY THE FRENCH A.D. 250--800

Character of the Franks--The Saxon Tribes--Destruction of the Salians by a Saxon Tribe--Julian the Apostate--Victories of Clovis in Gaul--Contrast between the Low Countries and the Provinces of France--State of Friesland--Charles Martell--Friesland converted to Christianity--Finally subdued by France.

CHAPTER III

FROM THE CONQUEST OF FRIESLAND TO THE FORMATION OF HOLLAND A.D. 800--1000

Commencement of the Feudal System in the Highlands--Flourishing State of the Low Countries--Counts of the Empire--Formation of the Gilden or Trades--Establishment of popular Privileges in Friesland--In what they consisted--Growth of Ecclesiastical Power--Baldwin of Flanders--Created Count--Appearance of the Normans--They ravage the Netherlands--Their Destruction, and final Disappearance--Division of the Empire into Higher and Lower Lorraine--Establishment of the Counts of Lorraine and Hainaut--Increasing Power of the Bishops of Liege and Utrecht--Their Jealousy of the Counts; who resist their Encroachments.

CHAPTER IV

FROM THE FORMATION OF HOLLAND TO THE DEATH OF LOUIS DE MALE A.D. 1018--1384

Origin of Holland--Its first Count--Aggrandizement of Flanders--Its growing Commerce--Fisheries--Manufactures--Formation of the County of Guelders, and of Brabant--State of Friesland--State of the Provinces--The Crusades--Their good Effects on the State of the Netherlands--Decline of the Feudal Power, and Growth of the Influence of the Towns--Great Prosperity of the Country--The Flemings take up Arms against the French--Drive them out of Bruges, and defeat them in the Battle of Courtrai--Popular Success in Brabant--Its Confederation with Flanders--Rebellion of Bruges against the Count, and of Ghent under James d' Artaveldt--His Alliance with England--His Power, and Death--Independence of Flanders--Battle of Roosbeke--Philip the Bold, Duke of Burgundy, obtains the Sovereignty of Flanders.

CHAPTER V

FROM THE SUCCESSION OF PHILIP THE BOLD TO THE County OF FLANDERS TO THE DEATH OF PHILIP THE FAIR A.D. 1384--1506

Philip succeeds to the Inheritance of Brabant--Makes War on England as a French Prince, Flanders remaining neuter--Power of the Houses of Burgundy and Bavaria, and Decline of Public Liberty--Union of Holland, Hainaut, and Brabant--Jacqueline, Countess of Holland and Hainaut--Flies from the Tyranny of her Husband, John of Brabant, and takes Refuge in England--Murder of John the Fearless, Duke of Burgundy--Accession of his Son, Philip the Good--His Policy--Espouses the Cause of John of Brabant against Jacqueline--Deprives her of Hainaut, Holland, and Zealand--Continues his Persecution, and despoils her of her last Possession and Titles--She marries a Gentleman of Zealand, and Dies--Peace or Arras--Dominions of the House of Burgundy equal to the present Extent of the Kingdom of the Netherlands--Rebellion of Ghent--Affairs of Holland and Zealand--Charles the Rash--His Conduct in Holland--Succeeds his Father--Effects of Philip's Reign on the Manners of the People--Louis XI.--Death of Charles, and Succession of Mary--Factions among her Subjects--Marries Maximilian of Austria--Battle of Guinegate--Death of Mary--Maximilian unpopular--Imprisoned by his Subjects-Released--Invades the Netherlands--Succeeds to the Imperial Throne by the Death of his Father--Philip the Fair proclaimed Duke and Count--His wise Administration--Affairs of Friesland--Of Guelders--Charles of Egmont--Death of Philip the Fair.

CHAPTER VI

FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF MARGARET OF AUSTRIA TO THE ABDICATION OF THE EMPEROR CHARLES V A.D. 1506--1555

Margaret of Austria invested with the Sovereignty--Her Character and Government--Charles, Son of Philip the Fair, created Duke of Brabant and Count of Flanders and Holland--The Reformation--Martin Luther--Persecution of the Reformers--Battle of Pavia--Cession of Utrecht to Charles V.--Peace of Cambray--The Anabaptists' Sedition at Ghent--Expedition against Tunis and Algiers--Charles becomes possessed of Friesland and Guelders--His increasing Severity against the Protestants--His Abdication and Death--Review--Progress of Civilization.

CHAPTER VII

FROM THE ACCESSION OF PHILIP II. OF SPAIN TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE INQUISITION IN THE NETHERLANDS A.D. 1555--1566

Accession of Philip II.--His Character and Government--His Wars with France, and with the Pope--Peace with the Pope--Battle of St. Quentin--Battle of Gravelines--Peace of Câteau-Cambresis--Death of Mary of England--Philip's Despotism--Establishes a Provisional Government--Convenes the States--General at Ghent--His Minister Granvelle--Goes to Zealand--Embarks for Spain--Prosperity revives--Effects of the Provisional Government--Marguerite of Palma--Character of Granvelle--Viglius de Berlaimont--Departure of the spanish Troops--Clergy--Bishops--National Discontent--Granvelle appointed Cardinal--Edict against Heresy--Popular Indignation--Reformation--State of Brabant--Confederacy against Granvelle--Prince of Orange--Counts Egmont and Horn join the Prince against Granvelle--Granvelle recalled--Council of Trent--Its Decrees received with Reprobation--Decrees against Reformers--Philip's Bigotry--Establishment of the Inquisition--Popular Resistance.

CHAPTER VIII

COMMENCEMENT OF THE REVOLUTION A.D. 1566

Commencement of the Revolution--Defence of the Prince of Orange--Confederacy of the Nobles--Louis of Nassau--De Brederode--Philip de St. Aldegonde--Assembly of the Council of State--Confederates enter Brussels--Take the Title of _Gueux_---Quit Brussels, and disperse in the Provinces--Measures of Government--Growing Power of the Confederates--Progress of the Reformation--Field Preaching--Herman Stricker--Boldness of the Protestants--Peter Dathen--Ambrose Ville--Situation of Antwerp--The Prince repairs to it, and saves it--Meeting of the Confederates at St. Trond---The Prince of Orange and Count Egmont treat with them--Tyranny of Philip and Moderation of the Spanish Council--Image Breakers--Destruction of the Cathedral, of Antwerp--Terror of Government--Firmness of Viglius--Arbitration between the Court and the People--Concessions made by Government--Restoration of Tranquillity.

CHAPTER IX

TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF REQUESENS A.D. 1566--1573

Philip's Vindictiveness and Hypocrisy--Progress of Protestantism--Gradual Dissolution of the Conspiracy--Artifices of Philip and the Court to disunite the Protestants--Firmness of the Prince of Orange--Conference at Termonde--Egmont abandons the Patriot Cause--Fatal Effects of his Conduct--Commencement of Hostilities--Siege of Valenciennes--Protestant Synod at Antwerp--Haughty Conduct of the Government--Royalists Repulsed at Bois-le-duc--Battle of Osterweel, and Defeat of the Patriots--Antwerp again saved by the Firmness and Prudence of the Prince of Orange--Capitulation of Valenciennes--Success of the Royalists--Death of De Brederode--New Oath of Allegiance; Refused by the Prince of Orange and others--The Prince resolves on voluntary Banishment, and departs for Germany--His Example is followed by the Lords--Extensive Emigration--Arrival of the Duke of Orleans--Egmont's Humiliation--Alva's Powers--Arrest of Egmont and others---Alva's first Acts of Tyranny--Council of Blood--Recall of the Government--Alva's Character--He summons the Prince of Orange, who is tried by Contumacy--Horrors committed by Alva--Desolate State of the Country--Trial and Execution of Egmont and Horn--The Prince of Orange raises an Army in Germany, and opens his first Campaign in the Netherlands--Battle of Heiligerlee--Death of Adolphus of Nassau--Battle of Jemminghem--Success and skilful Conduct of Alva--Dispersion of the Prince of Orange's Army--Growth of the naval Power of the Patriots--Inundation in Holland and Friesland--Alva reproached by Philip--Duke of Medina-Celi appointed Governor--Is attacked, and his fleet destroyed by the Patriots--Demands his Recall--Policy of the English Queen, Elizabeth--The Dutch take Brille--General Revolt in Holland and Zealand--New Expedition of the Prince of Orange--Siege of Mons--Success of the Prince--Siege of Haarlem--Of Alkmaer--Removal of Alva--Don Luis Zanega y Requesens appointed Governor-General.

CHAPTER X

TO THE PACIFICATION OF GHENT A.D. 1573--1576

Character of Requesens--His conciliating Conduct--Renews the War against the States--Siege of Middleburg--Generosity of the Prince of Orange--Naval Victory--State of Flanders--Count Louis of Nassau--Battle of Mookerheyde--Counts Louis and Henry slain--Mutiny of the Spanish Troops--Siege of Leyden--Negotiations for Peace at Breda--The Spaniards take Zuriczee--Requesens dies--The Government devolves on the Council of State--Miserable State of the Country, and Despair of the Patriots--Spanish Mutineers--The States-General are convoked, and the Council arrested by the Grand Bailiff of Brabant--The Spanish Mutineers sack and capture Maestricht, and afterward Antwerp--The States-General assemble at Ghent and assume the Government--The Pacification of Ghent.

CHAPTER XI

TO THE RENUNCIATION OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF SPAIN AND THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE A.D. 1576--1580

Don John of Austria, Governor-General, arrives in the Netherlands--His Character and Conduct--The States send an Envoy to Elizabeth of England--She advances them a Loan of Money--The Union of Brussels--The Treaty of Marche-en-Famenne, called the Perpetual Edict--The impetuous Conduct of Don John excites the public Suspicion--He seizes on the Citadel of Namur--The Prince of Orange is named Protector of Brabant--The People destroy the Citadels of Antwerp and other Towns--The Duke of Arschot is named Governor of Flanders--He invites the ArchDuke Mathias to accept the Government of the Netherlands--Wise Conduct of the Prince of Orange--Ryhove and Hembyse possess themselves of supreme Power at Ghent--The Prince of Orange goes there and establishes Order--The ArchDuke Mathias is installed--The Prince of Parma arrives in the Netherlands, and gains the Battle of Gemblours--Confusion of the States-General--The Duke of Alencon comes to their Assistance--Dissensions among the Patriot Chiefs--Death of Don John of Austria--Suspicions of his having been Poisoned by Order of Philip II.--The Prince of Parma is declared Governor-General--The Union of Utrecht--The Prince of Parma takes the Field--The Congress of Cologne rendered fruitless by the Obstinacy of Philip--The States-General assemble at Antwerp, and issue a Declaration of National Independence--The Sovereignty of the Netherlands granted to the Duke of Alencon.

CHAPTER XII

TO THE MURDER OF THE PRINCE OF ORANGE A.D. 1580--1584

Proscription of the Prince of Orange--His celebrated Apology--Philip proposes sending back the Duchess of Parma as Stadtholder ess--Her son refuses to act jointly with her, and is left in the exercise of his Power--The Siege of Cambray undertaken by the Prince of Parma, and gallantly defended by the Princess of Epinoi--The Duke of Alencon created Duke of Anjou--Repairs to England, in hopes of marrying Queen Elizabeth--He returns to the Netherlands unsuccessful, and is inaugurated at Antwerp--The Prince of Orange desperately wounded by an Assassin--Details on John Jaureguay and his Accomplices--The People suspect the French of the Crime--Rapid Recovery of the Prince, who soon resumes his accustomed Activity--Violent Conduct of the Duke of Anjou, who treacherously attempts to seize on Antwerp--He is defeated by the Townspeople-- His Disgrace and Death--Ungenerous Suspicions of the People against the Prince of Orange, who leaves Flanders in Disgust--Treachery of the Prince of Chimay and others--Treason of Hembyse--He is executed at Ghent--The States resolve to confer the Sovereignty on the Prince of Orange--He is murdered at Delft--Parallel between him and the Admiral Coligny--Execution of Balthazar Gerard, his Assassin--Complicity of the Prince of Parma.

CHAPTER XIII

TO THE DEATH OF ALEXANDER, PRINCE OF PARMA A.D. 1584--1592

Effects of William's Death on the History of his Country--Firm Conduct of the United Provinces--They reject the Overtures of the Prince of Parma--He reduces the whole of Flanders--Deplorable Situation of the Country--Vigorous Measures of the Northern States--Antwerp besieged--Operations of the Siege--Immense Exertions of the Besiegers--The Infernal Machine--Battle on the Dike of Couvestien--Surrender of Antwerp--Extravagant Joy of Philip II.--The United Provinces solicit the Aid of France and England--Elizabeth sends them a supply of Troops under the Earl of Leicester--He returns to England--Treachery of some English and Scotch Officers--Prince Maurice commences his Career--The Spanish Armada--Justin of Nassau blocks up the Prince of Parma in the Flemish Ports--Ruin of the Armada--Philip's Mock Pietssy on hearing the News--Leicester dies--Exploits and Death of Martin Schenck--Breda surprised--The Duke of Parma leads his Army into France--His famous Retreat--His Death and Character.

CHAPTER XIV

TO THE INDEPENDENCE OF BELGIUM AND THE DEATH OF PHILLIP II. A.D. 1592--1599

Count Mansfield named Governor-General--State of Flanders and Brabant--The ArchDuke Ernest named Governor-General-Attempts against the Life of Prince Maurice--He takes Groningen--Death of the ArchDuke Ernest--Count Fuentes named Governor-General--He takes Cambray and other Towns--Is soon replaced by the ArchDuke Albert of Austria--His high Reputation--He opens his first Campaign in the Netherlands--His Successes--Prince Maurice gains the Battle of Turnhout--Peace of Vervins--Philip yields the Sovereignty of the Netherlands to Albert and Isabella--A new Plot against the Life of Prince Maurice--Albert sets out for Spain, and receives the News of Philip's Death--Albert arrives in Spain, and solemnizes his Marriage with the Infanta Isabella--Review of the State of the Netherlands.

CHAPTER XV

TO THE CAMPAIGN OF PRINCE MAURICE AND SPINOLA A.D. 1599--1604

Cardinal Andrew of Austria Governor--Francisco Mendoza, Admiral of Aragon, invades the neutral States of Germany--His atrocious Conduct--Prince Maurice takes the Field--His masterly

Movements--Sybilla of Cleves raises an Army, which is, quickly destroyed--Great Exertions of the States-General--Naval Expedition under Vander Goes--Its complete Failure--Critical Situation of the United Provinces--Arrival of the ArchDuke in Brussels--Success of Prince Maurice--His Expedition into Flanders--Energy of the ArchDuke--Heroism of Isabella--Progress of Albert's Army--Its first Success--Firmness of Maurice--The Battle of Nieuport--Total Defeat of the Royalists--Consequences of the Victory--Prince Maurice returns to Holland--Negotiations for Peace--Siege of Ostend--Death of Elizabeth of England--United Provinces send Ambassadors to James I.--Successful Negotiations of Barneveldt and the Duke of Sully in London--Peace between England and Spain--Brilliant Campaign between Spinola and Prince Maurice--Battle of Roeroord--Naval Transactions--Progress of Dutch Influence in India--Establishment of the East India Company.

CHAPTER XVI

TO THE SYNOD OF DORT AND THE EXECUTION OF BARNEVELDT A.D. 1600--1619

Spinola proposes to invade the United Provinces--Successfully opposed by Prince Maurice--The Dutch defeated at Sea- Desperate Conduct of Admiral Klagoon--Great naval Victory of the Dutch, and Death of their Admiral Heemskirk--Overtures of the ArchDukes for Peace--How received in Holland--Prudent Conduct of Barneveldt--Negotiations opened at The Hague--John de Neyen, Ambassador for the ArchDukes--Armistice for Eight Months--Neyen attempts to bribe D'Aarsens, the Greffier of the States-General--His Conduct disclaimed by Verreiken, Counsellor to the ArchDukes--Great Prejudices in Holland against King James I. and the English, and Partiality toward France--Rupture of the Negotiations--They are renewed--Truce for Twelve Years signed at Antwerp--Gives great Satisfaction in the Netherlands--Important Attitude of the United Provinces--Conduct of the Belgian Provinces--Disputes relative to Cleves and Juviers--Prince Maurice and Spinola remove their Armies into the contested states--Intestine Troubles in the United Provinces--Assassination of Henry IV. of France--His Character--Change in Prince Maurice's Character and Conduct--He is strenuously opposed by Barneveldt--Religious Disputes--King James enters the Lists of Controversy--Barneveldt and Maurice take Opposite sides--The cautionary Towns released from the Possession of England--Consequences of this Event--Calumnies against Barneveldt--Ambitious Designs of Prince Maurice--He is baffled by Barneveldt--The Republic assists its Allies with Money and Ships--Its great naval Power--Outrages of some Dutch Sailors in Ireland--Unresented by King James--His Anger at the manufacturing Prosperity of the United Provinces--Excesses of the Gomarists--The Magistrates call out the National Militia--Violent Conduct of Prince Maurice--Uncompromising Steadiness of Barneveldt--Calumnies against him--Maurice succeeds to the Title of Prince of Orange, and Acts with increasing Violence--Arrest of Barneveldt and his Friends--Synod of Dort--Its Consequences--Trial, Condemnation, and Execution of Barneveldt--Grotius and Hoogerbeets sentenced to perpetual Imprisonmemt--Ledenburg commits Suicide.

CHAPTER XVII

TO THE DEATH OF PRINCE MAURICE A.D. 1619--1625

The Parties Of Arminianism quite subdued--Emigrations--Grotius resolves to attempt an Escape from Prison--Succeeds in his Attempt--He repairs to Paris, and publishes his "Apology"--Expiration of the Twelve Years' Truce--Death of Philip III. And of the ArchDuke Albert--War in Germany--Campaign between Prince Maurice and Spinola--Conspiracy against the Life of Prince Maurice--Its Failure--Fifteen of the Conspirators executed--Great Unpopularity of Maurice--Death of Maurice.

CHAPTER XVIII

TO THE TREATY OF MUNSTER A.D. 1625--1648

Frederick Henry succeeds his Brother--Charles I. King of England--War between France and England--Victories of Admiral Hein--Brilliant Success of Frederick Henry--Fruitless Enterprise in Flanders--Death of the Archduchess Isabella--Confederacy in Brabant--Its Failure, and Arrest of the Nobles--Ferdinand, Prince-Cardinal, Governor-General--Treaty between France and Holland--Battle of Avein--Naval Affairs--Battle of the Downs--Van Tromp--Negotiations for the Marriage of Prince William with the Princess Mary of England--Death of the Prince-Cardinal--Don Francisco de Mello Governor-General--Battle of Rocroy--Gallantry of Prince William--Death of Cardinal Richelieu and of Louis XIII.--English Politics--Affairs of Germany--Negotiations for Peace--Financial Embarrassment of the Republic--The Republic negotiates with Spain--Last Exploits of Frederick Henry--His Death, and Character--William II. Stadtholder --Peace of Munster--Resentment of Louis XIII.--Peace of Westphalia--Review of the Progress of Art, Science, and Manners--Literature-- Painting--Engraving-- Sculpture--Architecture--Finance--Population--Commercial

Companies--Manners.

CHAPTER XIX

FROM THE PEACE OF MUNSTER TO THE PEACE OF NIMEGUEN A.D. 1648--1678

State of the Republic after the Peace of Munster--State of England--William II. Stadtholder --His ambitious Designs and Violent Conduct--Attempts to seize on Amsterdam--His Death--Different Sensations caused by his Death--The Prerogatives of the Stadtholder assumed by the People--Naval War with England--English Act of Navigation--Irish Hostilities--Death of Tromp--A Peace with England--Disturbed State of the Republic--War with Denmark--Peace concluded--Charles II. restored to the English Throne--Declares War against Holland--Naval Actions--Charles endeavors to excite all Europe against the Dutch--His Failure--Renewed Hostilities--De Ruyter defeated--Peace of Breda--Invasion of Flanders by Louis XIV.--He overruns Brabant and Flanders--Triple League, 1668--Perfidious Conduct of Charles II.--He declares War against Holland, etc., as does Louis XIV.--Unprepared State of United Provinces--William III. Prince of Orange--Appointed Captain-General and High Admiral--Battle of Solebay--The French Invade the Republic--The States-General implore Peace--Terms demanded by Louis XIV. and by Charles II.--Desperation of the Dutch--The Prince of Orange proclaimed Stadtholder --Massacre of the De Witts--Fine Conduct of the Prince of Orange--He takes the Field--Is reinforced by Spain, the Emperor, and Brandenburg--Louis XIV. forced to abandon his Conquests--Naval Actions with the English--A Peace, 1674--Military Affairs--Battle of Senef--Death of De Ruyter--Congress for Peace at Nimeguen--Battle of Mont Cassel--Marriage of the Prince of Orange--Peace of Nimeguen.

CHAPTER XX

FROM THE PEACE OF NIMEGUEN TO THE PEACE OF UTRECHT A.D. 1678--1713

State of Europe subsequently to the Peace of Nimeguen--Arrogant Conduct of Louis XIV.--Truce for Twenty Years--Death of Charles II. of England--League of Augsburg--The Conduct of William--He invades England--James II. Deposed--William III. proclaimed King of England--King William puts himself at the Head of the Confederacy against Louis XIV., and enters on the War--Military Operations--Peace of Ryswyk--Death of Charles II. of Spain--War of Succession--Death of William III.--His Character--Duke of Marlborough--Prince Eugene--Successes of the Earl of Peterborough in Spain and Portugal--Louis XIV. solicits Peace--Conferences for Peace--Peace of Utrecht--Treaty of the Barrier.

CHAPTER XXI

FROM THE PEACE OF UTRECHT TO THE INCORPORATION OF BELGIUM WITH THE FRENCH REPUBLIC A.D. 1713--1794

Quadruple Alliance--General Peace of Europe--Wise Conduct of the Republic--Great Danger from the bad State of the Dikes- Death of the Emperor Charles VI.--Maria Theresa Empress--Her heroic Conduct--Battle of Dettingen--Louis XV. invades the Netherlands--Conferences for Peace at Breda--Battle of Fontenoy--William IV. Stadtholder and Captain-General--Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle--Death of the Stadtholder , who is succeeded by his Son William V.--War of Seven Years--State of the Republic- William V. Stadtholder --Dismemberment of Poland--Joseph II. Emperor--His attempted Reforms in Religion--War with England--Sea-Fight on the Doggerbank--Peace with England, 1784--Progress of Public Opinion in Europe, in Belgium, and Holland--Violent Opposition to the Stadtholder --Arrest of the Princess of Orange--Invasion of Holland by the Prussian Army--Agitation in Belgium--Vander Noot--Prince Albert of Saxe-Teschen and the Archduchess Maria Theresa joint Governors-General--Succeeded by Count Murray--Riots--Meetings of the Provisional States--General Insurrection--Vonckists--Vander Mersch--Takes the Command of the Insurgents--His Skilful Conduct--He gains the Battle of Turnhout--Takes Possession of Flanders--Confederation of the Belgian Provinces--Death of Joseph II.--Leopold Emperor--Arrest of Vander Mersch--Arrogance of the States-General of Belgium--The Austrians overrun the Country--Convention at The Hague--Death of Leopold--Battle of Jemmappes--General Dumouriez--Conquest of Belgium by the French--Recovered by the Austrians--The ArchDuke Charles Governor-General--War in the Netherlands--Duke of York--The Emperor Francis--The Battle of Fleurus--Incorporation of Belgium with the French Republic--Peace of Leoben--Treaty of Campo-Formio.

CHAPTER XXII

FROM THE INVASION OF HOLLAND BY THE FRENCH TO THE RETURN OF THE PRINCE OF ORANGE A.D. 1794--1818

Pichegru invades Holland--Winter Campaign--The Duke of York vainly resists the French Army--Abdication of the Stadtholder --Batavian Republic--War with England--Unfortunate Situation of Holland--Naval Fight--English Expedition to the Helder--Napoleon Bonaparte--Louis Bonaparte named King of Holland--His popular Conduct--He abdicates the Throne--Annexation of Holland to the French Empire--Ruinous to the Prosperity of the Republic--The people desire the Return of the Prince of Orange--Confederacy to effect this Purpose--The Allied Armies advance toward Holland--The Nation rises to throw off the Yoke of France--Count Styrum and his Associates lead on that Movement, and proclaim the Prince of Orange, who lands from England--His first Proclamation--His second Proclamation.

CHAPTER XXIII

FROM THE INSTALLATION OF WILLIAM I. AS PRINCE-SOVEREIGN OF THE NETHERLANDS TO THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO A.D. 1813--1815

Rapid Organization of Holland--The Constitution formed--Accepted by the People--Objections made to it by some Individuals--Inauguration of the Prince-Sovereign--Belgium is occupied by the Allies--Treaty of Paris--Treaty of London--Formation of the Kingdom of the Netherlands--Basis of the Government--Relative Character and Situation of Holland and Belgium--The Prince-Sovereign of Holland arrives in Belgium as Governor-General--The fundamental Law--Report of the Commissioners by whom it was framed--Public Feeling in Holland, and in Belgium--The Emperor Napoleon invades France, and Belgium--The Prince of Orange takes the Field--The Duke of Wellington--Prince Blucher--Battle of Ligny--Battle of Quatre Bras--Battle of Waterloo--Anecdote of the Prince of Orange, who is wounded--Inauguration of the King.

SUPPLEMENTARY CHAPTER (A.D. 1810--1899).


 
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