Chapter 19

FROM THE PEACE OF MUNSTER TO THE PEACE OF NIMEGUEN

A.D. 1648--1678

State of the Republic after the Peace of Munster--State of England--William II. Stadtholder--His ambitious Designs and Violent Conduct--Attempts to seize on Amsterdam--His Death--Different Sensations caused by his Death--The Prerogatives of the Stadtholder assumed by the People--Naval War with England--English Act of Navigation--Irish Hostilities--Death of Tromp--A Peace with England--Disturbed State of the Republic--War with Denmark--Peace concluded--Charles II. restored to the English Throne--Declares War against Holland--Naval Actions--Charles endeavors to excite all Europe against the Dutch--His Failure--Renewed Hostilities--De Ruyter defeated--Peace of Breda--Invasion of Flanders by Louis XIV.--He overruns Brabant and Flanders--Triple League, 1668--Perfidious Conduct of Charles II.--He declares War against Holland, etc., as does Louis XIV.--Unprepared State of United Provinces--William III. Prince of Orange--Appointed Captain-General and High Admiral--Battle of Solebay--The French Invade the Republic--The States-General implore Peace--Terms demanded by Louis XIV. and by Charles II.--Desperation of the Dutch--The Prince of Orange proclaimed Stadtholder--Massacre of the De Witts--Fine Conduct of the Prince of Orange--He takes the Field--Is reinforced by Spain, the Emperor, and Brandenburg--Louis XIV. forced to abandon his Conquests--Naval Actions with the English--A Peace, 1674--Military Affairs--Battle of Senef--Death of De Ruyter--Congress for Peace at Nimeguen--Battle of Mont Cassel--Marriage of the Prince of Orange--Peace of Nimeguen.