though he might fucceed in overwhelming them with a mighty force for the prefent, yet that nothing lefs than the continuance of a powerful army in the country, which it was not in the course of things that his fituation would long admit, could retain in fubjection a people who were so zealously attached to their ancient liberties. But above all things, their hope and confidence was placed in France; nor did they think it poffible that she could now fo far depart from that attention to her own intereft and greatness, which had ever marked her conduct, as to fuffer the defolation and ruin of thofe rich and beautiful provinces, which would afford fo noble an addition to both, and which, in fuch circumftances, would moft willingly throw themselves into her arms.

Count Murray fent a meffage to the states of Brabant, in which he acquainted them, that the troops which were ftationed in different parts of the Low Countries, were ordered to concenter in fuch a manner, as to enclose the province of Brabant; that the fovereign, in giving this order, meant to put the obedience of the ftates to a trial; that if they did not oppofe this meafure of concentering his troops, he might be inclined to fufpend the march of that army which was now advancing towards the Low Countries, and might permit the regiment of Bender only to enter the provinces. This fecond teft of obedience was a very extraordinary, and feems indeed a very abfurd meafure. As its object was evidently to curb the states in their proceedings, and to over-awe the province; inftead of producing good temper or fubmiffion, nothing could tend more to irritate

the minds of men, and to excite the people to commotion. Neither were the means at all commenfurate to the end proposed, the troops being in no degree equal to the task of bridling that powerful and populous province, if it did not choose itfeif voluntarily to admit the rein. The ftates of Brabant, however, fubmitted freely to this new teft.

In the mean time the eyes and thoughts of all men were directed to Vienna, and their minds kept in fufpence, until the reception which the Flemish deputies met at the imperial court could be known. The deputies were admitted to an audience of Auguft

ftate on the third day after 15th. their arrival in that city; but their reception was fufficiently ungracious. Along with that haughty and auftere affumption of dignity, which has through fo many ages peculiarly characterized the houfe of Auftria, a ftrong mixture of anger now appeared in the countenance of the fovereign. After hearing their profeffions of duty and loyalty, which, notwithstanding the forbidding rigour of the imperial counte nance, were accompanied with a recital of their grievances, he replied fternly, that he was not to be moved by a vain difplay of words, and that his ftates in the Netherlands were highly culpable in his fight; but that he had given a proof of the affection he bore them, in not immediately employing against them that military force which he held at his command. He added farther, that before he explained himself with regard to the fubjects of their complaints, the dignity of the throne required, that certain preliminary articles should

be

be executed, which he now communicated to them, and had already commanded count Murray to communicate to his ftates in the Low Countries.

The substance of these articles was chiefly, that all things in the provinces should remain on the fame footing on which they ftood at the first of April; that the current fubfidies, and the arrears on former, fhould be paid forthwith into the royal treasury; that the feminary of Louvain, and that of Luxemburgh, fhould be re-established; that all perfons who had been difplaced fhould be restored to their employments, excepting the intendants and members of the new tribunals, about whom he wifhed. to take council with the states; that the volunteer companies fhould difcontinue their martial exercises, and lay afide the uniform and other marks they had asfumed of military diftinction.-And they were given to understand, that if these articles were not executed, the nation would draw upon itself the heavy marks of a monarch's refentment.

Count Murray having communicated these articles to the ftates of the Low Countries, before they could hear from their deputies, the information renewed all the jealoufies and difcontents of the provinces. The ftates of Brabant prepared fresh remonftrances, in which they complained, that all the demonftrations of respect and fubmiffion which they were capable of giving, had not been able to conciliate the mind of the prince. That he required the ftrongest proofs of duty and good will, even the granting of fubfidies, whilft he delayed to give fatisfaction for the infringements made on the conftitution. They

declared, that though they were menaced with arms, yet they were fo bound by the engagements of the joyous entry, that they could not comply with the preliminary articles, until fecurity was obtained for the redress of grievances. And they added, that although they fought only to oppofe representations to the will of the prince, yet if any tumult fhould take place in confequence of those articles which were now to be enforced, the ftates could not hold themselves refponfible for any fuch commotion that might enfue.-Every body expected that this remonftrance would have been the immediate means of putting the grand army in motion; and rumours were even circulated of its advance, which seemed only to increase the determined obftinacy or refolution of the people.

The difpatches from Vienna arrived opportunely, in a great meafure to difpel the apprehenfions and allay the difcontents of the people. By these they received information from their deputies, that the fovereign, having teftified the dif pleafure which he thought fuited to the dignity of his throne, had relaxed entirely from that harsh austerity which had been exhibited at their public audience. That he had permitted communications to be fecretly made to them, that he entertained fentiments favourable to their requefts, though the dignity of his crown did not allow him to exprefs them fully until the preliminary articles were executed; that he had weighed in his mind the complaints of the provinces, and was difpofed to grant redrefs in the principal points, though he would not in all things acquiefce in their demands; particularly in the reeftablishment

3

though he might fucceed in overwhelming them with a mighty force for the prefent, yet that nothing lefs than the continuance of a powerful army in the country, which it was not in the course of things that his fituation would long admit, could retain in fubjection a people who were fo zealously attached to their ancient liberties. But above all things, their hope and confidence was placed in France; nor did they think it poffible that she could now fo far depart from that attention to her own intereft and greatnefs, which had ever marked her conduct, as to fuffer the desolation and ruin of those rich and beautiful provinces, which would afford fo noble an addition to both, and which, in fuch circumftances, would moft willingly throw themselves into her arms.

Count Murray fent a meffage to the ftates of Brabant, in which he acquainted them, that the troops which were ftationed in different parts of the Low Countries, were ordered to concenter in fuch a manner, as to enclose the province of Brabant; that the fovereign, in giving this order, meant to put the obedience of the ftates to a trial; that if they did not oppofe this meafure of concentering his troops, he might be inclined to fufpend the march of that army which was now advancing towards the Low Countries, and might permit the regiment of Bender only to enter the provinces. This fecond test of obedience was a very extraordinary, and feems indeed a very abfurd meafure. As its object was evidently to curb the ftates in their proceedings, and to over-awe the province; inftead of producing good temper or fubmiffion, nothing could tend more to irritate

the minds of men, and to excite the people to commotion. Neither were the means at all commenfu- › rate to the end propofed, the troops being in no degree equal to the task of bridling that powerful and populous province, if it did not choose itself voluntarily to admit the rein. The ftates of Brabant, however, fubmitted freely to this new test.

In the mean time the eyes and thoughts of all men were directed to Vienna, and their minds kept in fufpence, until the reception which the Flemish deputies met at the imperial court could be known The deputies were adAuguft

mitted to an audience of

ftate on the third day after 15th.

their arrival in that city; but their reception was fufficiently ungra cious. Along with that haughty and auftere affumption of dignity, which has through fo many ages peculiarly characterized the houfe of Auftria, a ftrong mixture of anger now appeared in the countenance of the fovereign. After hearing their profeffions of duty and loyalty, which, notwithstanding the forbidding rigour of the imperial counte nance, were accompanied with a recital of their grievances, he replied fternly, that he was not to be moved by a vain display of words, and that his ftates in the Netherlands were highly culpable in his fight; but that he had given a proof of the affection he bore them, in not immediately employing against them that military force which he held at his command. He added farther, that before he explained himself with regard to the fubjects of their complaints, the dignity of the throne required, that certain preliminary articles should

be

be executed, which he now communicated to them, and had already commanded count Murray to communicate to his states in the Low Countries.

The fubftance of thefe articles was chiefly, that all things in the provinces should remain on the fame footing on which they ftood at the first of April; that the current fubfidies, and the arrears on former, fhould be paid forthwith into the royal treasury; that the feminary of Louvain, and that of Luxemburgh, fhould be re-established; that all perfons who had been difplaced fhould be restored to their employments, excepting the intendants and members of the new tribunals, about whom he wished to take council with the ftates; that the volunteer companies fhould difcontinue their martial exercises, and lay afide the uniform and other marks they had affumed of military diftinction.-And they were given to understand, that if these articles were not executed, the nation would draw upon itself the heavy marks of a monarch's refentment.

Count Murray having communicated these articles to the ftates of the Low Countries, before they could hear from their deputies, the information renewed all the jealoufies and discontents of the provinces. The ftates of Brabant prepared fresh remonftrances, in which they complained, that all the demonftrations of respect and fubmiffion which they were capable of giving, had not been able to conciliate the mind of the prince. That he required the strongest proofs of duty and good will, even the granting of fubfidies, whilft he delayed to give fatisfaction for the infringements made on the conftitution. They

declared, that though they were menaced with arms, yet they were fo bound by the engagements of the joyous entry, that they could not comply with the preliminary articles, until fecurity was obtained for the redrefs of grievances. And they added, that although they fought only to oppofe representations to the will of the prince, yet if any tumult fhould take place in confequence of thofe articles which were now to be enforced, the ftates could not hold themselves refponfible for any fuch commotion that might enfue.-Every body expected that this remonftrance would have been the immediate means of putting the grand army in motion; and rumours were even circulated of its advance, which feemed only to increase the determined obftinacy or refolution of the people.'

The difpatches from Vienna arrived opportunely, in a great meafure to difpel the apprehenfions and allay the difcontents of the people. By these they received information from their deputies, that the fovereign, having teftified the difpleasure which he thought fuited to the dignity of his throne, had relaxed entirely from that harsh aufterity which had been exhibited at their public audience. That he had permitted communications to be fecretly made to them, that he entertained fentiments favourable to their requests, though the dignity of his crown did not allow him to exprefs them fully until the preliminary articles were executed; that he had weighed in his mind the complaints of the provinces, and was difpofed to grant redrefs in the principal points, though he would not in all things acquiefce in their demands; particularly in the reestablishment

3

eftablishment of convents, nor in that nomination of abbots, which, he faid, former princes had been conftrained to come into..

The deputies farther stated, that the fovereign had fince admitted them to private conferences, in which, laying afide all ftate and majefty, he converted with them on equal and familiar terms: that he enquired minutely into the affairs of the Netherlands, and liftened with the molt marked attention to the accounts which they gave him. That he declared, he never had the fmalleft intention of enforcing his edits by arms; and faid that the Flemings had frightened themfelves with vain terrors, in their apprehenfion of a military enrolment, and of a territorial impoft, neither of which he had ever intended to establish in the Netherlands. And, that he profeffed himfelf well inclined to restore the joyous entry to its primitive vigour; and intimated a defire of re-vifiting the Low Countries, that he might take meafures with the ftates for promoting the welfare of the people.

The deputies were fo captivated by these inftances of condefcenfion, that they received every affurance that was given, and profeffion made, with unbounded faith; fo fue a dominion have the great, if they use it with any degree of addrefs, over the minds of men. The minifters, by command of the fovereign, treated them with every degree of refpect and efteem; and they feemed to want words in defcribing to their conftituents the high fenfe they entertained of the honours which they received; exclaiming, in the honeft exultation of their hearts, that they were treated in Vienna with all the re

fpect due to the reprefentatives of a nation which had fo gallantly maintained its privileges. farther gratification, and more fub. ftantial mark of favour to the people, the facrificed his preemperor

dilection in favour of count Belgiojofo, by appointing in his room the count Trautfmandorff to be minifter for the Low Countries ; than which nothing could be more truly acceptable to all the provinces.

But notwithstanding thefe favours and profeffions, few politicians will entertain any doubt, that the emperor's engagements with Ruffia, and the coming war with the Ottoman empire, were the real causes of all thefe flattering appearances; and that in other circumftances the march of an army to the Low Countries would be found no vain threat.

The ftates of Brabant did not appear to be fo entirely captivated by thefe fair appearances as their de puties: for though count Murray acquainted them that he was empowered by the fovereign, as foon as the fatisfaction demanded was made to the throne, to iffue a declaration in his name, which would afford univerfal content to the nation, and accordingly preffed them in the most urgent terms to the execution of the preliminary articles, yet difficulties ftill lay in the way which prevented their compliance; but in order to fhield themfelves from the imputation of obftinacy, or the charge of difaffection, they pleaded the fpirit of the conftitution, as well as the written letter of the joyous entry, both of which forbade the grant of money until a full redress of grievances was ob tained.