CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.

vii

The German Princes won over to the French alliance-Negotiations of the

States-General with the Princes of the House of Brunswick-Treaty of the

King of France with the Bishop of Münster and the Elector of Cologne-

Vain attempts of John de Witt to assist the town of Cologne against the

Elector The States-General obtain the support of the Elector of Branden-

burg-Negotiations of their envoy Amerongen-Diplomatic diversion

attempted by the Elector of Mayence-The conquest of Egypt suggested to

Louis XIV. Relations of the States-General with the Court of Spain-

Embassy of Beverningh to Madrid-Treaty of assistance-Conferences at

Brussels Great part taken in them by the Grand Pensionary and his

brother-Neglect of their defences by the United Provinces-Disarmament

-Disputes between the States of Holland and the States-General as to the

disbanding of some companies-State of the army-Military weakness-

Restoration of the highest commands-Prince John Maurice of Nassau and

Major-General Wurtz-Imprudent confidence of the Grand Pensionary-

His tardy commencement of the defensive preparations-Slowness of the de-

liberations-Opposition of Zealand-Concord restored by De Witt-Financial

measures-Unsuccessful attempts to create new taxes-The combinations of

annuities studied by De Witt-His reports to the States of Holland-Suc-

cessive loans-Creation of pecuniary resources-Result of the financial

administration of the Grand Pensionary-Pacification of internal divisions

undertaken by De Witt-Fagel appointed Secretary of the States-General-

Van Beuningen sent as ambassador to London-Hoofdt, burgomaster of

Amsterdam-Renewed disputes-Proposal to appoint the Prince of Orange

captain-general-Impolitic resistance offered by De Witt-The States of

Holland split into two parties-Vote for the commission of the captain-

general-Disagreement on the question of a life-command-Compromise

arranged by De Witt-Proclamation of the Prince of Orange as captain-

general-Public rejoicings-Harmony only restored in appearance-Or-

ganisation of the military staff-The deputies in the camp-The command

of the fleet continued to Ruyter-His lieutenant-admirals-Cornelius de

Witt delegated to him by the States-General-Committee for naval affairs-

It is presided over by John de Witt-Naval armaments-Effective force of

the army-New levies-De Witt's repeated demands for them-Reserve

forces-Insufficiency of the defensive preparations-Last years of the

domestic life of John de Witt-His widowerhood-His house-His family

relations- His children-Their education-Subsequent fate of his sons

and daughters-Cornelius de Witt at Dordrecht-Offices and honours

conferred upon him-His character-His relations with John de Witt

-His wife, Maria van Berkel-His children-Common fate of the two

brothers
Page 135

CHAPTER XII.

INVASION AND RESISTANCE.

Military preparations of Louis XIV.-The French army and its leaders-Last

audience of De Groot-Declaration of war-Acts of hostility on the part

of the King of England-Attack on the India fleet-Aggression of the

Bishop of Münster and the Elector of Cologne-Offensive measures advised by

De Witt-Attempted attack on Neuss in the Electorate of Cologne-Its failure

-Plan of a naval expedition to the coast of France-Attempts against

English fleet-Cornelius de Witt sent as plenipotentiary of the States to

Ruyter-Correspondence of the two brothers-The States-General obliged

to remain on the defensive-A league for the defence of Utrecht vainly

demanded by De Witt-Insufficiency of equipments and levies of troops-

Reinforcements sent to the camp by the Grand Pensionary-The invasion

-March of the French army-Attack and seizure of the fortresses of the

Rhine-The line of the Yssel guarded by the Prince of Orange-Louis XIV.

moves upon the Rhine, which is insufficiently defended-Orders and counter-

orders given to Montbas-Passage of the Rhine by the French army-The

Prince of Orange forced to retreat-Fatal dispersion of the army-Useless

counsels of the Grand Pensionary-The Prince of Orange brings back a

small part of the troops into Holland-Positions occupied by the detach-

ments of his division-Naval battle of Solebay- Ruyter and Cornelius de

Witt-Cornelius de Witt obliged to quit the fleet-The United Provinces

secured from a naval invasion-Operations of the Elector of Cologne and the

Bishop of Münster-They take possession of Overyssel-Continuation of the

French King's conquests-Mistakes made by Louis XIV.-Expedition of the

Marquis de Rochefort-Muyden saved-Louis XIV. awaits offers of submis-

sion at Utrecht-Distress of the United Provinces - Inundations-First steps

taken by Amsterdam-Defensive measures resolved on by the States of

Holland and advised by De Witt-His speech-Zealand repulses the in-

vasion-Resistance of Ardenburg-Obstacles opposed to the French con-

quest-Opinion pronounced by Louis XIV.-Alliances-Diplomatic relations

of the States-General with Denmark, Switzerland, and Spain-Treaty be-

tween the Emperor and the Elector of Brandenburg for the protection of the

Germanic territory-Military assistance promised to the United Provinces

-Necessity for gaining time-Policy of the Grand Pensionary-Negotiations

between Charles II. and Louis XIV.-First overtures of peace made by De

Groot-His return to the Hague-Deliberations of the States of Holland

and the States-General-Full powers voted to De Groot-He returns to

the French camp-Amsterdam pronounces in favour of resistance-The

republic may be saved by peace or war-Services rendered by De

Witt
Page 230

CHAPTER XIII.

A CHANGE OF GOVERNMENT-THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF THE

STADTHOLDERSHIP, AND ITS CONSEQUENCES.

A restoration imminent-John de Witt considered as the enemy of the Prince

of Orange-The public misfortunes attributed to him-His vain attempts

to prevent or repair them—Vivien is assigned to him as a coadjutor in his

office of Grand Pensionary-Attempted assassination at the Hague-His

wounds-Condemnation and execution of Jacob van der Graef-His accom-

plices protected by the Prince of Orange-Cornelius de Witt in the same

danger as his brother-General rising-Re-establishment of the Stadt-

holdership in Zealand-Sedition at Dordrecht-Resistance of Cornelius

CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME.

ix

de Witt to the repeal of the Perpetual Edict-The example set by Dor-

drecht followed by the entire province-The States of Holland reduced to

powerlessness-Proposal for a change of government-It is supported by

the Council of Amsterdam-Reservations made on the subject of the nomi-

nation of the magistrates of the town-The Prince of Orange elected

Stadtholder of Holland and Zealand, under the name of William III.-The

States-General appoint him Captain- and Admiral-General for life-Con-

gratulations sent to him-Letter from his grandmother-He is solemnly

invested with his office-Great position made for him-Negotiations-

Proposals transmitted by De Groot to Louis XIV.-Exactions of the King

of France-Report made by De Groot to the States of Holland-Delibe-

rations Opinion of the Prince of Orange-Speech of Van Beuningen

-Refusal to accept the King of France's conditions of peace-Measures

attempted with the King of England-Secret negotiations entered into with

Charles II. by the Prince of Orange-Offers made to him-He repulses

them-Treaty of Heeswyck between Louis XIV. and Charles II.-William III.

declares himself in favour of a continuation of the war-Declaration of

the States-General--Secret negotiations continued between the Prince of

Orange and the King of England-They are in vain--Letter from Charles II.

to the Prince of Orange--Military operations-Progress of the King of

France's conquests-Taking of Nimeguen-Louis XIV. checked by the inun-

dations before Bois-le-Duc-His return to France-Resistance offered to

the Bishop of Münster-Siege of Groningen-He is forced to raise it-Ter-

mination of the naval expedition-Holland saved by a storm from the land-

ing of the enemy's troops-India ships brought back to port-Services

rendered by Ruyter-Organisation of the defence---Financial measures:

forced loans-Information furnished by De Witt-Increase of the strength

of the army-Louis XIV. gives up the prisoners of war-Choice of com-

manders: restoration of discipline- The powers granted to the Prince of

Orange restore confidence to the United Provinces-Necessity for foreign aid

-Assistance from Spain-Negotiations with the Emperor-Treaty of the

Hague Co-operation of the Elector of Brandenburg: his junction with

Montecuculi-Insufficiency of this intervention-It nevertheless contributes

to the deliverance of the republic
. Page 360

CHAPTER XIV.

REACTION IN FAVOUR OF THE ORANGE PARTY-ITS VICTIMS

ASSASSINATION OF JOHN DE WITT AND HIS BROTHER.

The Prince of Orange considers his powers insufficient-His partisans wish

him to have the right of appointing the town magistrates-Meeting between

Fagel and De Groot-Popular seditions-The States of Holland apply in

vain to the Stadtholder-William III. endeavours to inspire doubts of

them--Prosecution of Montbas-His escape-He offers his services to the

King of France-Persecution directed by the Prince of Orange against De

Groot, who is forced to leave the country-John de Witt surrounded by his

family-He refuses to leave the Hague-Accusations formed against him:

correspondence of Louvois and of Luxembourg-No charge made against John

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