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THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY
ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN CUNDATIONS
1393
FROM THE PEACE OF WESTPHALIA, IN 1648, TO THE PEACE
OF PARIS, IN 1763.
A. D.
LETTER XII.
General view of the affairs of Europe, with a particular ac-
count of those of England, from the restoration of Charles
II. in 1660, to the triple alliance, in 1668.
INTRODUCTORY reflections
Page
1
1660 Great popularity of Charles II. of England, at his resto-
ration, and eminent political situation among the pow-
ers of Europe
His libertine and accommodating character
2
3
He forms his privy council from among all parties and
sects
ibid.
His prudent choice of his principal servants
The earl of Clarendon, chancellor and prime minister
General act of indemnity
4
Trial and execution of the regicides
Presbyterian clergy ejected
7
This impolitic measure unites the protestant dissenters in
a common hatred of the church
8
The king and his brother, the duke of York, being secretly
catholics, form the plan of a general toleration
Declaration to that purpose
The plan of toleration opposed by the parliament, and laid
aside
Presbyterians persecuted in Scotland
King's marriage
Sale of Dunkirk
1664 War with the United Provinces
State of the affairs of that republic
Character of the pensionary De Wit
9
10
11
12
Great naval preparations of England and Holland ibid.
1665 Dutch defeated by the English fleet under the duke of
York
Plague rages in London
13
14
France and Denmark league with the United Provinces against England
1666 Memorable sea-fight of four days
15
After various turns of fortune, the Dutch fleet under de
Ruyter and young Tromp, forced to retreat by the Eng-
lish, commanded by prince Rupert and the duke of Al-
bemarle
The Hollanders insulted in their harbours
The Dutch fleet under de Ruyter, takes possession of the
mouth of the Thames
24
Retrospective view of the state of France and Spain ibid.
Character of Lewis XIV.
His munificence, splendour, and popularity
Dangerous greatness of the French monarchy
Examples of the arrogance of Lewis XIV.
28
He refuses to pay to England the honours of the flag ibid.
His
4. D.
His claims upon the Spanish monarchy
29
Feeble administration of Mary Anne of Austria, queen re-
gent of Spain
The king of France invades the Spanish Netherlands, and
makes himself master of many places
30
All Europe filled with terror at the rapid progress of his
France and Spain equally displeased at the terms of this
league
Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle
Independency of Portugal acknowledged
LETTER XIII.
32
33
The general View of the Affairs of Europe continued, from
the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, in 1668, to the Peace of
Nimeguen, in 1678.
Preamble
Retrospective view of the affairs of Hungary
34
35
The Hungarian nobles revolt, and crave the assistance of
the Turks
1669 The Turks make themselves masters of the island of Can-
dia
36
Lewis XIV. meditates the conquest of the United Pro- vinces
Charles II. of England gives up his mind to arbitrary
councils
37
38
39
Rise of the duchess of Portsmouth
40
Concludes a secret treaty with France
1670 Mock treaty, intended to conceal the real one
Death of the duchess of Orleans
The French monarch makes himself master of Lorrain ib.
The king of England obtains a large supply from his par-
liament
The duke of York declares himself a catholic
1671 Still necessitous, he shuts the exchequer
41
42
Charles II. exercises several acts of arbitrary power ibid.
1672 Attempt upon the Dutch Smyrna fleet
France and England declare war against Holland
Great preparations both by sea and land
Defenceless state of the United Provinces
Account of William III. prince of Orange
He is appointed commander in chief of the forces of the republic ibid.
De Wit and De Ruyter with ninety-one Dutch ships of war,
give battle to the combined fleets of France and England,
commanded
commanded by D'Estrees and the duke of York [May
Furious combat between De Ruyter and the duke of York
The Dutch admiral ultimately compelled to seek safety in flight
48 Lewis XIV. enters the United Provinces at the head of a great army, and advances to the banks of the Rhine ibid.
Famous passage of that river [June 12.]
Rapid progress of the French arms
Distracted state of the United Provinces
The sluices opened, and the country laid under water
The prince of Orange declared stadtholder [July 5.]
Massacre of the De Wits
Magnanimous behaviour of the prince of Orange
Heroic resolution of the Dutch
-
49
50
51
52
53
The kings of France and England endeavour to corrupt
the young stadtholder
He rejects all their tempting offers
45
Circumstances that contributed to save the republic of
Holland
1673 Meeting of the English parliament
The king's declaration of liberty of conscience
He finds himself under the necessity of recalling it
The Test Act
55
56
57
Three indecisive engagements between the Dutch fleet,
conducted by De Ruyter, and Van Tromp, and the com-
bined fleets of France and England
Sprague, the English rear-admiral, drowned in attempting
to shift his flag
The Dutch obliged to retreat, in the third engagement, by the valour of prince Rupert and the earl of Ossory ibid.
The French had little share in the action
Lewis XIV. obliged to abandon his conquests in the
United Provinces
58
The emperor and the king of Spain sign an alliance with
the states general
59
1674 Peace between England and Holland
Charles II. offers his mediation to the contending pow-
ers
60
Sir William Temple appointed ambassador from England to the states
His conference with the king before his departure
He combats the arbitrary principles of Charles
The king seems to be convinced by his arguments 62
He finds the states and their allies eager for the prosecu- tion of the war