2

and territories taken by the French in the province of Luxembourg, Namur, Brabant, Flanders, and Hainault, except eighty-two towns and villages claimed by the French: this dispute was left to the decision of commissaries; or, in case they should not agree, to the determination of the states-general. A remonstrance in favour of the French protestant refugees in England, Holland, and Germany, was delivered by the earl of Pembroke to the mediators, in the name of the protestant allies, on the day that preceded the conclusion of the treaty; but the French plenipotentiaries declared in the name of their master, that as he did not pretend to prescribe rules to king William about the English subjects, he expected the same liberty with respect to his own. No other effort was made in behalf of those conscientious exiles: the treaties were ratified, and the peace proclaimed at Paris and London.

A GENERAL PACIFICATION.

THE emperor still held out, and perhaps was encouraged to persevere in his obstinacy by the success of his arms in Hungary, where his general, prince Eugene of Savoy, obtained a complete victory at Zenta over the 'forces of the grand signor, who commanded his army in person. In this battle, which was fought on the eleventh day of September, the grand visir, the aga of the janissaries, seven-and-twenty bashaws, and about thirty thousand men, were killed or drowned in the river Theysse six thousand were wounded or taken, together with all their artillery, tents, baggage, provision, and ammunition, the grand signor himself escaping with difficulty: a victory the more glorious and acceptable, as the Turks had a great superiority in point of number, and as the Imperialists did not lose a thousand men during the whole action. The emperor, perceiving that the event of this battle had no effect in retarding the treaty, thought proper to make use of the armistice, and continue the negotiation after the forementioned treaties had been

signed. This was likewise the case with the princes of the empire; though those of the protestant persuasion complained, that their interest was neglected In one of the articles of the treaty, it was stipulated, that in the places to be restored by France, the Roman-catholic religion should continue as it had been re-established. The ambassadors of the protestant princes joined in a remonstrance, demanding, that the Lutheran religion should be restored in those places where it had formerly prevailed; but this demand was rejected, as being equally disagreeable to France and the emperor. Then they refused to sign the treaty, which was now concluded between France, the emperor, and the catholic princes of the empire. By this pacification, Triers, the Palatinate, and Lorraine, were restored to their respective owners. The countries of Spanheim and Veldentz, together with the dutchy of Deux Ponts, were ceded to the king of Sweden. Francis Louis Palatine was confirmed in the electorate of Cologn: and cardinal Furstemberg restored to all his rights and benefices. The claims of the dutchess of Orleans upon the Palatinate were referred to the arbitration of France and the emperor; and in the mean time the elector Palatine agreed to supply her highness with an annuity of one hundred thousand florins. The ministers of the protestant princes published a formal declaration against the clause relating to religion, and afterwards solemnly protested against the manner in which the negotiation had been conducted. Such was the issue of a long and bloody war, which had 'drained England of her wealth and people, almost entirely ruined her commerce, debauched her morals, by encouraging venality and corruption, and entailed upon her the curse of foreign connexions as well as a national debt, which was gradually increased to an intolerable burden. After all the blood and treasure which had been expended, William's ambition and revenge remained unsatisfied. Nevertheless, he reaped the solid advantage of seeing himself firmly established on the English throne; and the confederacy, though not successful in every instance, accomplished their

great aim of putting a stop to the encroachments of the French monarch. They mortified his vanity, they humbled his pride and arrogance, and compelled him to disgorge the acquisitions which like a robber, he had made in violation of public faith, justice, and humanity. Had the allies been true to one another; had they acted from genuine zeal for the common interests of mankind; and prosecuted with vigour the plan which was originally concerted, Louis would in a few campaigns have been reduced to the most abject state of disgrace, despondence, and submission; for he was destitute of true courage and magnanimity. King William having finished this important transaction, returned to England about the middle of November, and was received in London amidst the acclamations of the people, who now again hailed him as their deliverer from a war, by the continuance of which they must bave been infallibly beggared.

NOTES..

1 Burnet. Boyer

Oldmixen. State Tracts. Tindal. Ralph. Lives of the Admirals. Daniel. Voltaire. 2 Burnet. Oldmixon. Boyer. Tindal. Ralph. Lives of the Admirals. 3 Some promotions were made before the king left Eugland. George Hamilton, third son of the duke of that name, was, for his military services in Ireland and Flanders, created earl of Orkney. Sir John Lowther was ennobled by the title of baron Lowther, and viscount Lonsdale; sir John Thompson made baron of Haversham, and the celebrated John Locke appointed one of

the commissioners of trade and plantation.

4 Burnet. Kennet. Oldmixon. State Trials. Tindal. Ralph. Lives of the Admirals.

5 Somers was created a baron, and appointed lord chancellor of England; admiral Russel was dignified with the title of earl of Orford. In February the ear of Aylesbury, who had been committed on account of the couspiracy, was released upon bail : but this privilege was denied to lord Montgomery, who had been imprisoned in Newgate on the same ae

count.

CHAPTER VI.

State of Parties.... Characters of the Ministers.... The Commous reduce the Number of standing Forces to Ten Thousand....They establish the Civil List; and assign Funds for paying the National Debts.... They take Cognizance of fraudulent Endorsements of Exchequer Bills....A new East-India Company constituted by Act of Parliament.... Proceedings against a Book written by William Molineux of Dublin, and against certain Smugglers of Alamodes and Lustrings from France.... Society for the Reformation of Manners.... The Earl of Portland resigns his Employments....The King disowns the Scottish Trading Company....He embarks for Holland.... First Treaty of Partition.... Intrigues of France at the Court of Madrid....King William is thwarted by his new Parliament.... He is obliged to send away his Dutch Guards.... The Commons address the King against the Papists....The Parliament prorogued....The Scottish Company make a Settlement on the Isthmus of Darien; which, however, they are compelled to abandon.... Remonstrances of the Spanish Court against the Treaty of Partition.... The Commons persist in their Resolutions to mortify the King.... Enquiry into the Expedition of Captain Kidd....A Motion made against Burnet, Bishop of Sarum.... Enquiry into the Irish Forfeitures....The Commons pass a Bill of Resumption, and a severe Bill against Papists....The old East-India Company re-established.... Dangerous Ferment in Scotland.... Lord Somers dismissed from his Employments....Second Treaty of Partition....Death of the Duke of Gloucester.... The King sends a Fleet into the Baltic, to the Assistance of the Swedes.... The second Treaty of Partition generally disagreeable to the European Powers.... The French Interest prevails at the Court of Spain....King William finds Means to allay the Heats in Scotland.... The King of Spain dies, after having bequeathed his Dominions by Will to the Duke of Anjou.... The French King's Apology for accepting the Will.... The States-general own Philip as King of Spain....A new Ministry and a new Parliament.... The Commons unpropitious to the Court....The Lords are more condescending.... An intercepted Letter from the Earl of Milfort to his Brother....Succession of the Crown settled upon the Princess Sophia, Electress Dowager of Hanover, and the Protestant Heirs of her Body....The Dutchess of Savoy protests against this Act.... Ineffectual Negotiation with France....Severe Addresses from both Houses, in relation to the Partition Treaty....William is obliged to acknowledge the King of Spain....The two Houses seem to enter into the King's Measures....The Commons resolve to wreak their Vengeance on the old Ministry....The Earls of Portland and Oxford, the Lords Somers and Halifax, are impeached.... Disputes between the two Houses. ... The House of Peers acquits the impeached Lords

Petition of Kent.... Favourable End of the Session.... Progress of Prince Eugene in Italy.... Sketch of the Situation of Affairs in Europe.... Treaty of Alliance between the Emperor and the maritime Powers....Death of King James....The French King owus the pretended Prince of Wales as King of England.... Addresses to King William on that subject.... New Parliament.... The King's last Speech to both Houses received with great Applause.... Great Harmony between the King and Parliament.... The two Houses pass the Bill of Abjuration.... The Lower House justifies the Pro ceedings of the Commons in the preceding Parliament.... Affairs of Ireland ....The King recommends an Union of the two Kingdoms....He falls from his Horse....His Death....and Character.

When day of December, he told them the THEN the king opened the session of parliament

war was brought to the end they all proposed, namely,

an honourable peace. He gave them to understand there was a considerable debt on account of the fleet and army: that the revenues of the crown had been anticipated: he expressed his hope, that they would provide for him during his life, in such a manner as would conduce to his own honour, and that of the government. He recommended the maintenance of a considerable navy; and gave it as his opinion, that for the present England could not be safe without a standing army. He promised to rectify such corruptions and abuses as might have crept into any part of the administration during the war; and effectually to discourage prophaneness and immorality. Finally, he assured them, that as he had rescued their religion, laws, and liberties, when they were in the extremest danger, so he should place the glory of his reign in preserving and leaving them entire to latest posterity. To this speech the commons replied in an address, by a compliment of congratulation upon the peace, and an assurance, that they would be ever ready to assist and support his majesty, who had confirmed them in the quiet possession of their rights and liberties, and by putting an end to the war fully completed the work of their deliverance. Notwithstanding these appearances of good-humour, the majority of the house, and indeed the whole nation, were equally alarmed and exasperated at a project for maintaining a 'standing army, which was countenanced at court, and even recommended by the king, in his speech to the parliament. William's genius was altogether military. He could not bear the thoughts of being a king without power. He could not without reluctance dismiss those officers who had given so many proofs of their courage and fidelity. He did not think himself safe upon the naked throne, in a kingdom that swarmed with malcontents, who had so often conspired against his person and government. He dreaded the ambition and known perfidy of the French king, who still retained a powerful army. He foresaw that a reduction of the forces would lessen his importance both at home and abroad; diminish the dependence upon his government; and disperse those