de Witt of complicity with the enemy-Calumnious reports against his morality and probity-His memoir in justification approved by the States -He appeals in vain to the Prince of Orange-Ingratitude of William III. — His answer to John de Witt's letter--Cornelius de Witt is exposed to the same enmity as his brother-His domestic life-His correspondence with his wife, Maria van Berkel, during the last naval campaign-His services unrecognised-His arrest-He is accused of a plot against the Prince of Orange-Infamy of his accuser, Tichelaer-Intervention of the deputies of Dordrecht in his favour-The Prince of Orange refuses to give an opinion -Cornelius de Witt transferred to the prison of the Court of Justice-Futile endeavours of John de Witt to obtain his brother's release-His correspondence with his sister-in-law-His visit to the Prince of Orange: he offers to send in his resignation as Grand Pensionary-His speech to the States of Holland-His appointment to the Grand Council-Ill-will of the Prince of Orange-Resignation of John de Witt-His letter to Ruyter-He is replaced by Fagel-Continuation of the trial of Cornelius de Witt-His imprisonment His correspondence with his wife-Ineffectual pleas in defence-His judges and his trial-Pretext found for putting him to torture -Official report of the resolutions of the Court-Last interrogatoriesLast applications-Cornelius de Witt tortured-His heroic behaviour-Refuses to confess-His iniquitous condemnation-He refuses to accept itJohn de Witt summoned by his brother to the prison-Meeting between the two brothers-John de Witt is detained a prisoner-Plot of TichelaerPopular tumult-The councillor deputies and the measures for defenceThe troops of cavalry commanded by Count Tilly—Arming of the burgher companies-First parleys of councillor deputies with the rioters-Seditious behaviour of the burgher companies-They send delegates to the prisonValiant resistance of Count Tilly-He is ordered to retire-The assassinsVerhoef at the Town Hall-The prison broken into-Preludes to the massacre-John and Cornelius de Witt dragged out by their murderersTheir assassination-Brutal treatment of their dead bodies-Their interment -Horror of the public-John de Witt's children placed in safety: his aged father survives him-Strength of mind of Cornelius de Witt's widow -Christian and patriotic sentiments of his family-John de Witt's papersJustice is done to him-The share of responsibility incurred by the Prince of Orange-Suspicions roused against him-Contradictory accounts of his sentiments-He goes reluctantly to the Hague-Refuses to prosecute-His consideration and favour to the culprits-Persecution of the friends of the victims-Dangers to which Ruyter is exposed-New powers given to the Prince of Orange: services rendered to him by Fagel-Change of magistracies-Subjection of the States of Holland-William III. the liberator of the United Provinces-External decay of the republic-It preserves a liberal government, for which it is indebted to John de Witt Page 24

JOHN DE WITT.

CHAPTER IX.

ILL-FEELING OF KINGS TOWARDS A REPUBLIC-DISSOLUTION OF THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Prosperity of the United Provinces-Growth of their colonial power -Diplomatic relations in Europe-Negotiations for the extension of the Triple Alliance-Difficulties in obtaining satisfaction for Sweden from SpainDe Groot sent as ambassador to Stockholm-Guarantee of the treaty of Aixla-Chapelle-The Act of Triple Concert-Increased weakness of SpainFrench negotiations for the cession of the Netherlands-Their danger to the States-General--Spain lets them drop --Defection of England-Hostility of Charles II. and his Ministers-Temple commissioned to reassure the States - De Witt's first suspicions Renewal of the disputes - Van Beuningen's embassy to England-His illusions-France seeks a rupture— Recall of Count d'Estrades-Embassy of the Marquis de Pomponne-His first interviews with De Witt-Desire of the Grand Pensionary to be on better terms with France-Explanation given to Pomponne by Van Beuningen - Renewal of negotiations for the cantonment of the Netherlands in the event of the death of the King of Spain-Refusal of Louis XIV. to continue them-He reveals to Pomponne his designs upon the United ProvincesInvasion of Lorraine-Dispossession of Duke Charles IV.-Vain protests of the States-Rejection by Louis XIV. of the Emperor's offer of mediationIrritation of the Emperor-His demand to be admitted into the Triple Alliance Understanding between England and France-Recall of Sir William Temple-His last interview with De Witt-Failure of Van Beun in gen's embassy to London-Negotiations for an alliance between Charles II. and Louis XIV.-Journey of the Duchess of Orleans to England-Treaty of Dover-Death of the Duchess of Orleans-Treaty of London-Warnings given to the States-Last illusions of John de Witt-The United Provinces threatened with retaliation for the Triple Alliance.

THE Republic of the United Provinces seemed now free to enjoy with legitimate pride the prosperity insured to her by the re-establishment of peace abroad, and the pacification of civil discords, those two great benefits of the policy which

VOL. II.

B

John de Witt had pursued with such far-sighted perseverance. After defending her maritime independence against England, she had secured her territorial independence by opposing the Triple Alliance to those projects of annexation of the Netherlands which would have made the King of France a formidable neighbour. She thought to have found sufficient protection against his threatened anger, in the support of the powers interested in preventing the aggrandisement of his kingdom, and hoped moreover that she had effected a reconciliation with Louis XIV. not only by insuring him the tranquil possession of that part of the Netherlands which she had induced Spain to give up to him, but also by leaving him the hope of a future understanding in the event of the succession to the Spanish monarchy becoming open.

At home, the preservation of the republican form of government appeared secured by the Perpetual Edict, which by abolishing the stadtholdership in the province of Holland, and leaving only military offices open to the Prince of Orange, prevented him from making himself master of the supreme power. The States of Holland, who had become in some sort the heirs of the stadtholders, exercised in apparent security a political supremacy which shed lustre on the whole confederation. They could now enjoy their well-earned ease. The deputies of the States,' writes a contemporary, 'have so little business to transact that the day before yesterday, none being submitted to their deliberation, they entered and quitted the Assembly almost at the same moment, a thing which has not happened for more than twenty years.'

The greatest States might have envied the happy fate of the republic. She had provided for all the expenses of war and peace, and had never failed to find money. Whilst unfalteringly supporting the burden of three naval campaigns against England, she found means for constructing at the Hague a cannon foundry, which remains to this day. At the same time the long avenue was being completed which leads from the Hague to the port of Scheveningen, the inauguration of which was celebrated in the elegant lines of Huyghens, formerly private secretary to the Stadtholder William II.

PROSPERITY OF THE UNITED PROVINCES.

3

As soon as they were relieved from the burden of the extraordinary expenses imposed upon them by the war with England, and by the armaments for the defence of the Netherlands, the States of Holland undertook the task of again putting their finances into good order. This was endangered by the loans which had deprived them of the advantage of the last reduction of interest, and which in fourteen years had risen to 17,000,000 florins. They contented themselves for the moment by paying off 1,000,000 florins, and did not venture upon the more effectual measures for lightening the debt advised by the Grand Pensionary. Fearing to displease the bondholders, they refused to allow a second reduction of interest from 4 to 3 per cent., which would have enabled them to re-establish the sinking fund. They showed themselves equally averse from the proposal of a loan of 1,200,000 florins, to be applied to this purpose, and which would also have served to form a reserve fund. They preferred to attend to the suggestions of an exaggerated economy and to reduce the public expenditure, more particularly that of the army; and were in haste to benefit the taxpayers by relieving them from the most onerous imposts, such as the tolls levied on travellers by land or water, and reducing by one-half the tax upon capital.

They succeeded thus in giving a new impetus to commerce. The shares of the East India Company, which had risen between 1656 and 1663 from three hundred and eighty to four hundred and seventy florins, rose still further and returned interest at 50 to 54 per cent. The merchant vessels of Holland covered the ocean. The population continually increased; the principal towns were obliged to enlarge their boundaries, and new houses were rising in such numbers that at Amsterdam the duties upon building materials were farmed out at 15,000 florins above the usual amount. The progress of agriculture was no less satisfactory. The production of wheat had been so largely increased that one village near Haarlem paid as much as 80,000 crowns in duties upon grinding. Comfort and prosperity rewarded the inhabitants for

John de Witt had pursued with such far-sighted perseverance. After defending her maritime independence against England, she had secured her territorial independence by opposing the Triple Alliance to those projects of annexation of the Netherlands which would have made the King of France a formidable neighbour. She thought to have found sufficient protection against his threatened anger, in the support of the powers interested in preventing the aggrandisement of his kingdom, and hoped moreover that she had effected a reconciliation with Louis XIV. not only by insuring him the tranquil possession of that part of the Netherlands which she had induced Spain to give up to him, but also by leaving him the hope of a future understanding in the event of the succession to the Spanish monarchy becoming open.

At home, the preservation of the republican form of government appeared secured by the Perpetual Edict, which by abolishing the stadtholdership in the province of Holland, and leaving only military offices open to the Prince of Orange, prevented him from making himself master of the supreme power. The States of Holland, who had become in some sort the heirs of the stadtholders, exercised in apparent security a political supremacy which shed lustre on the whole confederation. They could now enjoy their well-earned ease. 'The deputies of the States,' writes a contemporary, have so little business to transact that the day before yesterday, none being submitted to their deliberation, they entered and quitted the Assembly almost at the same moment, a thing which has not happened for more than twenty years.'

The greatest States might have envied the happy fate of the republic. She had provided for all the expenses of war and peace, and had never failed to find money. Whilst unfalteringly supporting the burden of three naval campaigns against England, she found means for constructing at the Hague a cannon foundry, which remains to this day. At the same time the long avenue was being completed which leads from the Hague to the port of Scheveningen, the inauguration of which was celebrated in the elegant lines of Huyghens, formerly private secretary to the Stadtholder William II.