ommander of the
English squadron stationed in those seas, had it not been thus supported
by English subjects. Certain it is, the Dutch had some reason to
complain that they were decoyed into this species of traffic by the
article of a treaty, which, in their opinion, admitted of no limitation;
and that the government of Great Britain, without any previous warning,
or explaining its sentiments on this subject, swept the sea at once of
all their vessels employed in this commerce, and condemned them, without
mitigation, to the entire ruin of many thousand families. Considering
the intimate connexion of mutual interest subsisting between Great
Britain and the states of the United Provinces, they seem to have had
some right to an intimation of this nature, which, in all probability,
would have induced them to resign all prospect of advantage from the
prosecution of such traffic.

{GEORGE II. 1727-1760}

CONFERENCES AT THE HAGUE.

Besides the universal clamour excited in Holland, and the famous
memorial presented to the states-general, which we have already
mentioned in another place, a deputation of merchants waited four times
successively on the princess regent to explain their grievances, and
demand her concurrence in augmenting the navy for the preservation of
their commerce. She promised to interpose her best offices with the
court of Great Britain; and these co-operating with representations
made by the states-general, the English minister was empowered to open
conferences at the Hague, in order to bring all matters in dispute to an
amicable accommodation. These endeavours, however, proved ineffectual.
The British cruisers continued to take, and the British courts to
condemn, all Dutch vessels containing the produce of the French sugar
islands. The merchants of Holland and Zealand renewed their complaints
with redoubled clamour, and all the trading part of the nation,
reinforced by the whole party that opposed the house of Orange, cried
aloud for an immediate augmentation of the marine, and reprisals upon
the pirates of England. The princess, in order to avoid extremities,
was obliged not only to employ all her personal influence with the
states-general, but also to play off one faction against another, in the
way of remonstrance and exclamation As far back as the month of June,
she presented a memorial to the states-general, reminding them, that in
the beginning of the war between France and England, she had a