d become adverse and violent.

While his small fleet lay tossing in the Texel, a contest was going on
among the Dutch authorities. The States General and the Prince of Orange
were on one side, the Town Council and Admiralty of Amsterdam on the
other.

Skelton had delivered to the States General a list of the refugees whose
residence in the United Provinces caused uneasiness to his master. The
States General, anxious to grant every reasonable request which James
could make, sent copies of the list to the provincial authorities. The
provincial authorities sent copies to the municipal authorities. The
magistrates of all the towns were directed to take such measures
as might prevent the proscribed Whigs from molesting the English
government. In general those directions were obeyed. At Rotterdam
in particular, where the influence of William was all powerful, such
activity was shown as called forth warm acknowledgments from James. But
Amsterdam was the chief seat of the emigrants; and the governing body
of Amsterdam would see nothing, hear nothing, know of nothing. The
High Bailiff of the city, who was himself in daily communication with
Ferguson, reported to the Hague that he did not know where to find a
single one of the refugees; and with this excuse the federal government
was forced to be content. The truth was that the English exiles were
as well known at Amsterdam, and as much stared at in the streets, as if
they had been Chinese. [355]

A few days later, Skelton received orders from his Court to request
that, in consequence of the dangers which threatened his master's
throne, the three Scotch regiments in the service of the United
Provinces might be sent to Great Britain without delay. He applied to
the Prince of Orange; and the prince undertook to manage the matter,
but predicted that Amsterdam would raise some difficulty. The prediction
proved correct. The deputies of Amsterdam refused to consent, and
succeeded in causing some delay. But the question was not one of those
on which, by the constitution of the republic, a single city could
prevent the wish of the majority from being carried into effect. The
influence of William prevailed; and the troops were embarked with great
expedition. [356]

Skelton was at the same time exerting himself, not indeed very
judiciously or temperately, to stop the ships which the English refugees
had fitted out. He expostulated in warm terms with the Admiralty of
Amsterdam. The neg