on by the Duke of Alba.

Welcomed by the States General, Walloon Colonies were formed from the
year 1578 to 1589, at Amsterdam, Harlaem, Leyden, Utrecht, and other
places. But new persecutions arising, the Reformed French retired to
Holland, where new churches arose at Rotterdam, in 1605, Nimeguen, 1621,
and Tholen, in 1658. It was natural, therefore, that the Huguenots of
France should afterward settle in a country of so much sympathy for the
Walloon refugees, whom they regarded as their brethren. When Henry III.
commanded them to be converted to the Romish Church or to leave the
kingdom in six months, many of them repairing to Holland, joined the
Walloon communities, whose language and creed were their own. After the
fall of La Rochelle, this emigration recommenced, and was doubled under
Louis XIV., when he promulgated his first wicked and insane edict
against his Protestant subjects. From that unfortunate period, during a
century, the Western Provinces of France depopulated themselves to the
benefit of the Dutch Republic. Many learned men and preachers visited
these Walloon churches, while endeavoring to escape the persecuting
perils of every kind, to which they were exposed. Among the ministers we
may mention the names of Basnage, Claude, Benoit, and Saurin, who
surpassed them all, by the superiority of his genius, who was the
patriarch of 'The Refuge,' and contributed more than all the rest to
prevail on the Huguenots to leave France.

During the last twenty years of the seventeenth century, the French
Protestant emigration into Holland rose to a political event, and the
first '_Dragonades_' gave the signal in 1681. The Burgomasters of
Amsterdam soon perceived the golden advantages which the Hollanders
would derive from the fatal policy of Louis XIV. The city of Amsterdam
announced to the refugees all the rights of citizenship, with an
exemption from taxes for three years. The States of Holland soon
followed the example of Amsterdam, and by a public declaration,
discharged all refugees who should settle there, from all taxes for
twelve years. In less than eight days all the Protestants of France were
informed of this favorable proclamation, which gave impulse to new
emigration. In all the Dutch provinces and towns collections were taken
up for the benefit of the French refugees, and a general fast proclaimed
for Wednesday, November 21st, 1685, and all Protestants were invited to
thank God for the grace he gave the