СНАР. LXII. CHAPTER THE SIXTY-SECOND. 1786-1787. View of Foreign Affairs-pacific aspect of the Continent.Intrigues of France.-Dutch patriots.-Prussia.-Germany and Russia.-Proceedings in Holland.-Plans of the Patriots their resistance of the Stadtholder-his embarrassed condition-state of the military-restraint of the pressinsults to the Prince-capture of Hattern and Elburg-further proceedings of the patriots.-Applications for foreign aid.—Answer of England-conduct of France-indifference of Germany and Russia.-Death of Frederick the Greatdisposition of his successor.-Insults offered to the Princess of Orange. Conduct of the King of Prussia-energetic memorial.-Proceedings of the patriots-they are abandoned by France.-March of the Prussians-debates of the patriots--progress of the Prussians.-Stadtholder at the Hague-capture of Amsterdam-re-establishment of order. State of other countries-Germany-Russia. - Journey of the Empress her meeting with the Emperor.-Turkey -at war with Russia.-France-her apparent greatness, but real debility-change in the sentiments and manners of the people.-Unfavourable impression made by the Emperor-calumnies against the queen-her conduct-affair of the necklace.-Disputes between the King and Parliament of Paris-Compte rendu of M. Necker-Administration of De Calonne-Convocation of the Notables-De Calonne's plan of finance--generally opposed-exertions of Comte De Mirabeau-De Calonne retires-De Brienne succeeds him. Apathy of the superior classes. If the absence of actual hostilities might be conPacific aspect strued into an assurance of permanent permanent peace, the prospect on the Continent of Europe could not be more of the Continent. cheering than at this period. Slight differences between nations, adjusted without the formality of adverse declarations, without effusion of blood or dissipation of treasure, might be regarded as trivial incidents, interfering but little with the prospects of general welfare; yet there were principles in operation, and machinations in progress, which, at a period not far distant, must be expected to give full scope to those malignant passions which lead to the subversion of systems and engender fierce hostilities. Among the principal of these may be reckoned the prevailing desire to repudiate ancient connexions between nations, to form new combinations for the purpose of aggrandizement, and to renounce those domestic habits and abolish those marks of reverence toward persons and institutions which time had sanctioned, and which long acquiescence had rendered sacred. CHAP. LXII. 1786. France. France, after having assisted in establishing a re- Intrigues of public in America, while, in Holland, she encouraged a domestic party against the Stadtholder, was now intriguing with Russia to prevent a commercial treaty with England, and contriving with the Dutch to acquire power and ascendancy in India. Allusion has already been made to the efforts of a Dutch patriots. faction, who styled themselves Patriots, to degrade and vilify the Stadtholder, to dissolve effectually the ancient connexion of their country with England, and to admit, in its fullest extent, the ascendancy of France. The prominent leaders of this band were the pensionaires Von Berkel, Gyslaer, and Zeebergen; all bred to the profession of the law. Von Berkel obtained compensation for his want of success as an advocate, by a wealthy marriage with a lady of Amsterdam, by which means he became pensionary of that province. Some slight, which he conceived to have been offered to him, implanted in his mind a hatred of the Stadtholder, which time ripened into a deadly and imperishable rancour. Gyslaer enrolled himself as a partizan of Van Berkel in 1779, and, in consequence of his exertions on the question of convoy, was, through his influence, promoted from the office of pensionary of CHAP. 1786. Prussia. Gorcum to that of Dort. Zeebergen, pensionary of Haarlem, had made himself conspicuous in supporting the project of France when she undertook to regulate the commercial privileges of Holland, and he obtained for his town all the advantages which had before been enjoyed by Amsterdam. These men, and those who felt and acted with them, were delighted with the contumely displayed by the French ambassador toward the Prince and Princess of Orange*; but their views were limited to their own country, where they were anxious to keep up the spirit of faction; incapable of discerning the future consequences of their proceedings. Notwithstanding the treatment which Holland had experienced in the treaties of peace, this party, the patriots, persevered in their efforts, insensible to the alarming state of their country, and indifferent to her prostration at the feet of her favoured ally. The Dutch East India Company was in a state approaching to bankruptcy; colonies most important were effectually retained by the French; they kept at the Cape a force of two thousand five hundred men, not encamped in the suburbs, but quartered in the town and in the citadel, and they were in perfect possession of Trincomale. For their passiveness before a foreign power, the patriots made themselves amends by their increased insolence to their native ruler. They professed intentions to alter the constitution of the state, by depriving him of the command of the army, and, in the excess of their fury, published placards inciting the people to bring him to the block, or banish him. The Princess of Orange, an amiable, accomplished, and sensible lady, was equally persecuted; insulted both in private and in public, and the subject of atrocious libels and furi ous menaces. Her affinity to the King of Prussia warranted an expectation that he would exert himself in restraining the popular violence. In fact, his minister, M. de Thulemeyer, did present some strenuous remonstrances; but the patriots were too well acquainted with the condition of the King to treat them with much regard. Age, a love of indulgence, bodily infirmity, and an indisposition to put in hazard those great interests which, by his valour and wisdom, he had in his early days so gloriously acquired, rendered his interference extremely improbable. The difference between his views and those of France was, that he desired to preserve the form, at least, of an aristocratic government, while France, expecting advantage from throwing the country into a state of anarchy, was endeavouring to establish a pure democracy. A large portion of the people were adverse to the schemes of the patriots, and desirous to retain their ancient form of government, and to renew their beneficial connexion with Great Britain; but they were indolent, passive, and separate, wanting a master mind to inspire, and a commanding spirit to unite and lead them. The Prince of Orange, to whom they should naturally have looked up, was not so gifted; he had neither the quick perception, nor the vigorous resolution required by his circumstances: he relied for an impulse on the Princess, and she could only impart that which she received from the King of Prussia*. CHAP. LXII. 1786. During the dispute respecting the Scheldt, the The Emperor. public attention was absorbed, and the proceedings of the patriots less energetic than they had been: their leader, Van Berkel, displayed some love of his country, by declaring that her last shilling ought to be expended rather than submit to the terms proposed by the Emperor. If, in their further proceedings, they could have apprehended any interference on his part, his circumstances demonstrated the improbability. Embarrassed by the effect of his own rash innovations, he could not implicitly rely on his subjects in Flanders, and prudence obliged him to watch with care the proceedings of other states. Russia was as little to be Russia. feared; the Empress was avowedly pursuing schemes of aggrandisement on the side of Turkey, and, perhaps, * Chiefly from Letters by Sir James Harris to Lord Carmaerthen, in 1784. State Papers. CHAP. 1786. Proceedings in Holland. Plans of other designs, which were ripened and disclosed by time. In proroguing the Parliament, the King adverted to transactions then in progress in Holland, which were intitled to particular notice. Although disappointed in expectations of foreign aid, and not seconded so warmly as they expected by their countrymen in all parts of the Republic, the patriots had formed and avowed a project of reform, of which the leading particulars were" That the forms of the pre"sent government should continue; but the States "were to be completely independent of the Stadt"holder, who was no longer to enjoy a seat in any of "the colleges of the Republic. The réglemens, which "were privileges held by the provinces of Guelderland, "Utrecht, and Overyssel*, were to be abolished. They "were established in virtue of certain regulations "framed by the Pensionary Fagel, under the direc"tion of William the Third, in 1674, by which the magistrates in those towns were appointed immediately by the Stadtholder, without the nomination "of the councils. The right of the Prince to recom"mend candidates for vacant magistracies in the town "of Holland was to cease. The rank of Captain "General was to be separated from the office of "Stadtholder, or at least the Prince should retain the "title only; while the duties were exercised by elected deputies. In general, his powers were to be reduced "to the lowest degree, consistent with his executing "the orders of the state; and, not unless he acceded "to these conditions, was the Prince of Orange to "hold the hereditary dignity of Stadtholder." 66 66 As it was easily to be foreseen that all the members would not concur in a plan so subversive of the principles on which the union of Utrecht had been established, the patriots, who had acquired an ascendancy in the States of Holland, resolved to assert, on all occasions, the independence of those states, to diminish * Called, from these regulations, Provinces aux réglemens. |