A

V. I

MERRIAM AND COOKE, PRINTERS, WEST BROOKFIELD, MASS.

Meman

Preliminary remarks-League of Utrecht formed by the Netherlands in

1579 Character and constitution of that League-William of Nassau,

first Prince of Orange, appointed its head by the title of Stadtholder-His

character-His assassination in 1584-His son, Prince Maurice, succeeds

to the office of Stadtholder, and is successful against the Spaniards-His

death-Succeeded by his younger brother, Henry Frederick-Acknowledg-

ment by Spain of the independence of the United Provinces-Character of

William the Second, fourth Stadtholder-Abolition of that office-Prince

William Henry, son of William the Second, afterwards William the

Third of England, born in 1650-Nephew to Kings Charles the Second

and James the Second-His early studies-Sir William Temple's favora-

ble opinion of his capacity-Visits England in his twentieth year, and is en-

tertained by the University of Oxford-Probable motives of his visit-En-

tertaining anecdote-Charles the Second's distrust of William, and the lat-

ter's politic conduct while in England-League between France and Eng-

land against the States of Holland.

CHAPTER II.

Page 13

The Dutch Republic ill-prepared to resist the forces of France and

England-Speedily overrun by the French troops-Increasing unpopularity

of the Pensionary, John De Witt, and the Republican party-Appoint-

ments of Captain and Admiral-General conferred upon William by the

unanimous voice of the States-His early success against the French-

Popular insurrections in the principal Dutch towns-The office of Stadt-

holder revived and conferred on William-Cruel massacre of the De

Witts at the Hague in 1672-Interesting particulars relative to that fright-

ful tragedy-Marked improvement in the state of affairs in Holland-At-

tempt by France and England to inveigle the young Stadtholder into a trea-

ty injurious to the interests of his country-His noble conduct on the occa-

sion His successful campaign against the troops of Louis the Fourteenth

-Treaty of peace between the French and the Dutch signed in February

1674-Office of Stadtholder settled in perpetuity on William and his de-

scendants-Anecdote of William and Count Starenburg-War renewed

between France and Holland-Personal bravery of William at the battle

of Seneffe-Receives a severe wound at the siege of Maestricht. Page 22

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