ce with succours.

THE PRINCE OF ORANGE ELECTED STADTHOLDER.

While the states deliberated upon this declaration, count Lowendahl
entered Dutch Brabant, and invested the town and fortress of Sluys,
the garrison of which surrendered themselves prisoners of war on the
nineteenth day of April. This was likewise the fate of Sas-van-Ghent,
while the marquis de Contades, with another detachment, reduced the
forts Perle and Leifkenshoek, with the town of Philippine, even within
hearing of the confederate army. The fort of Sandberg was vigorously
defended by two English battalions; but they were overpowered, and
obliged to retire to Welsthoorden; and count Lowendahl undertook the
siege of Hulst, which was shamefully surrendered by La Roque the Dutch
governor, though he knew that a reinforcement of nine battalions was on
the march to his relief. Then the French general took possession of Axel
and Terneuse, and began to prepare flat-bottomed boats for a descent
on the island of Zealand. The Dutch people were now struck with
consternation. They saw the enemy at their doors, and owed their
immediate preservation to the British squadron stationed at the Swin,
under the command of commodore Mitchel,* who, by means of his sloops,
tenders, and small craft, took such measures as defeated the intention
of Lowendahl. The common people in Zealand being reduced to despair,
began to clamour loudly against their governors, as if they had not
taken the proper measures for their security. The friends of the prince
of Orange did not neglect this opportunity of promoting his interest.
They encouraged their discontent, and exaggerated the danger; they
reminded them of the year one thousand six hundred and seventy-two,
when the French king was at the gates of Amsterdam, and the republic was
saved by the choice of a stadtholder; they exhorted them to turn their
eyes on the descendant of those heroes who had established the liberty
and independence of the United Provinces; they extolled his virtue and
ability; his generosity, his justice, his unshaken love to his country.
The people in several towns, inflamed by such representations to tumult
and sedition, compelled their magistrates to declare the prince of
Orange stadtholder. He himself, in a letter to the states of
Zealand, offered his services for the defence of the province. On the
twenty-eighth day of April he was nominated captain-general and admiral
of Zealand. Their example was follow