LONDON PRINTED BY

SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE

AND PARLIAMENT STREET

CONTENTS

OF

THE SECOND VOLUME.

CHAPTER IX.

ILL-FEELING OF KINGS TOWARDS A REPUBLIC-DISSOLUTION OF

THE TRIPLE ALLIANCE.

Prosperity of the United Provinces-Growth of their colonial power-Diplo-

matic relations in Europe-Negotiations for the extension of the Triple

Alliance-Difficulties in obtaining satisfaction for Sweden from Spain-

De Groot sent as ambassador to Stockholm-Guarantee of the treaty of Aix-

la-Chapelle-The Act of Triple Concert-Increased weakness of Spain-

French 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 Beunin-

gen-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 Provinces-

Invasion of Lorraine-Dispossession of Duke Charles IV.-Vain protests of

the States-Rejection by Louis XIV. of the Emperor's offer of mediation—

Irritation 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 Beunin-

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

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CHAPTER X.

RUPTURE OF PEACE AT HOME AND ABROAD-DESTRUCTION OF

JOHN DE WITT'S WORK.

Position of home affairs-Awakening of the Orange party-Youth and education

of the Prince of Orange-His character-His ambition-His journey to

Zealand His nomination as premier noble of that province-His coming of

age-Measures of resistance taken by the States of Holland-Intimidation

of the Orange party-Policy of John de Witt-Agreement between the

States of Holland and the States of Zealand-The Act of Harmony accepted

by the provinces of Friesland and Groningen-Symptoms of division in

Holland-Rivalry of Beverningh, Fagel, and Van Beuningen with the Grand

Pensionary de Witt-The question of the entrance of the Prince of Orange

into the Council of State again brought forward-Deliberation of the States

of Holland as to the vote to be allowed him-Differences in their Assembly

-De Witt tardily bestirs himself to put an end to them-The Prince of

Orange admitted to the Council of State-His fruitless attempt to obtain the

right of sitting in the States-General-Resignation of the Commissioners

entrusted with his education-Advances made to him by Louis XIV. and

Charles II. His journey to England-Encouragement given by Charles II.

to his partisans-De Witt refuses to countenance it-The two parties

prepare to renew the struggle-Position of affairs abroad-Hatred of Louis

XIV. to the United Provinces-His measures of repression towards their

commerce-De Groot appointed ambassador to France-His negotiations-

Louis XIV. refuses to give any satisfaction-Commercial reprisals exercised

by the States-General-Resentment of Louis XIV.—De Witt disposed to

assume the offensive-Illusions kept up by De Groot-Pomponne recalled

from the Hague-Vain endeavours of the States-General to effect a recon-

ciliation-Their letter to the King of France-De Groot admitted to an

audience-Reply of Louis XIV.-A rupture imminent-Dissimulation of the

King of England-Pacific assurances given by Van Beuningen on his return

from his embassy to London-De Witt deceived by them-He advises a

policy of conciliation-Loyalty of the Grand Pensionary to the Triple

Alliance-Charles II. evades the negotiations-He reveals his designs-

Final recall of Temple -Encounter of a yacht belonging to the King of

England with the Dutch fleet-Claims of Charles II. to the saluting of his

flag-Sir George Downing appointed ambassador to the Hague-Suspension

of payments by the Exchequer-Prorogation of Parliament-Increasing

demands of Charles II.-Downing leaves the Hague-Last negotiations-

Charles II. refuses to continue them-His defection

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CHAPTER XI.

DIPLOMATIC ISOLATION AND MILITARY WEAKNESS-ALLIANCES

AND PREPARATIONS FOR DEFENCE.

Fallacious security of the States-General-They let slip from them the Swedish

alliance-Van Haren's negotiations-Treaty of neutrality between Sweden

and France-Engagements of the Emperor of Germany with Louis XIV.-