Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

good citizen, and do every thing to maintain public tranquillity. When the assembly separated, the confederates requested that those persons who might be disposed to give their assistance, would meet two days afterwards (on the 20th) at the same place; and added, that several notables would be convened at the same time, in order that some decisive measures might be taken to provide for the defence and government of the country, until the return of the Prince of Orange.

As it was of great importance that the prince should be informed, as soon as possible, of the events which had taken place, an officer had already been dispatched to the head-quarters of the allies at Frankfort, with a letter for his most serene highness; and on the same day, (the 19th) M. M. Perponcher and Fagel set sail from Schoveningen, with a favourable wind, for England, to offer the sovereignty to his most serene highness, and to invite him to come over and assume the government. Messengers had also been dispatched in different directions; some to the English fleet; others to the nearest points said to be occupied by the allies. M. Vander Hoven was now sent on a similar mission, with general instructions to use every effort to hasten the advance of the combined armies.

On the 20th, the adjourned meeting of the ancient regents was held at the house of M. Van Hogendorp Some of the most wealthy persons of the town had been summoned to attend, and about fifty persons assembled. The same arguments which had been before used, were repeated with as little effect. No circumstances had occurred to brighten the prospects of the confederates; on the contrary, the allied armies, which had been represented as advancing, were known to have no considerable force in Holland, the provinces beyond the Yssel

the

being but feebly occupied by small parties of cossacks. After some time had been spent in warm discussion, the assembly broke up, persons present having resisted all the persuasions of the confederates, and refused to appoint any provisional government. The result of this conference cast a general. gloom over the minds of the people; they began to think their cause desperate, since those individuals, who, from their station, were considered as the best qualified to assume the direction of affairs, refused to commit themselves, or to embark in the enterprize. Confidence was, however, in some measure restored by the appointment, on the 21st, of M. Hogendorp and Maasdam to the general administration of affairs at the Hague,-an appointment of which these gentlemen accepted.

On the 23d of November, M. Van Stissen was dispatched by the confederates to the provinces beyond the he Yssel, now occupied by the allies; found that their whole force consisted of 4 or 500 cossacks, under the command of Prince Lapupkin. The Frieslanders were every where disposed to declare for the Prince of Orange, and to enlist as volunteers in his name; but the magistrates could not be prevailed upon to take any decisive measures. An application for assistance having been made by M. Van Stissen to P. Lapupkin, he replied, that he should be glad to see a general arma ment and declaration in favour of the Prince of Orange, and that he would afford every facility in his power; but that he was resolved not to controul the wishes of the inhabitants. He expressed great admiration of what had been done at the Hague, and promised to order the immediate advance of a body of cavalry to assist the confederates.

The provisional government, which had been established at Amsterdam, and which had neither acknowledged the Prince of Orange nor abjured Buo.

naparte, continued in a state of indecision; the enemy was known to meditate a general attack upon the lines, from Amsterdam to Dordrecht; the contrary winds precluded all hope of the arrival of immediate assistance from England, and the bad state of the roads obstructed the advance of the artillery, and retarded the march of the allies. Alarm was spread on all sides by the pusillanimous. In this emergency, M. Scholten and Professor Kemper determined to make another attempt to induce the magistracy to declare for the Orange cause, and the efforts of these gentlemen, aided by the approach of 300 cossacks, prevailed. The Prince of Orange was solemnly proclaimed at Amsterdam on the 23d, the people shewing the most enthusiastic joy, and hailing him by the title of King of Holland.

The confederates and their adherents had already made very consider able advances of money from their private fortunes; and the government began to experience much inconvenience from the want of supplies. The difficulties of collecting the existing taxes, and the fear of imprudently committing their authority by levying new impositions, induced them to issue a proclamation calling upon the inhabitants for voluntary subscriptions -a measure, which was productive of little good, and served only to discover their poverty and weakness. On the same day, however, intelligence was communicated to the public, that an officer, who had been dispatched to the English squadron, had returned with promises of speedy assistance; and General de Jouge, having informed Count Styrum, that Woerden was occupied by a very feeble French garrison, that officer was ordered to advance from Badegrave with the force under his command, and take possession of the town. Colonel Tulling was accordingly dispatched with the Orange

guard; and the French garrison, after some negotiations, evacuated the place, and retired upon Utrecht. Woerden was immediately occupied by the Dutch troops, who placed a cannon and twenty-five men in an out-post. The proper precautions, however, were not taken by the raw volunteers, who had made themselves masters of the town; so that the French, having marched from Utrecht, surprised the out-post took the cannon, escaladed the town, and after some resistance got possession of the place, jand took Colonel Tulling prisoner. It was with much difficulty that the Orange guard made good its retreat upon Leyden. The French committed here the most barbarous outrages, and despondency for a moment seized the patriots.

On the morning of the 25th, the anxiety of the public was at the highest pitch. The state of the wind still continued adverse to the arrival of assistance from England; its slightest alterations were watched with the greatest interest; the road from the Hague to Scheveningen was crowded with persons of all ages and sexes, who spent the day on the coast, watching every sail, and who were often deluded by false reports of the arrival of the English. In the midst of this anxiety, (on the 26th) a boat was seen to approach the shore, and the report was instantly spread that an English officer was on board. He landed amidst the loudest acclamations; and the popu lace, without waiting for any explanation, and deaf to all remonstrances, conducted him in triumph to the governor's house. The person who had been thus mistaken for a British officer proved to be a gentleman named Grant, who had come over on a mercantile adventure, and had brought with him English newspapers, which contained accounts of the great preparations made to embark troops for Holland. The effect produced by his

arrival suggested the idea of keeping up the delusion; and, at the request of M. Van Hogendorp, Mr Grant dressed himself in an English volunteer uniform, and shewed himself in every part of the town. The expedient succeeded for the moment beyond expectation, in inspiring the disheartened people with confidence, and in intimi. dating the French, who, upon hearing that troops had arrived from England, and that the cossacks had occupied Leyden, retreated towards Utrecht, and abandoned their intention of advancing upon the Hague. The Dutch people, however, were become so incredulous, by the constant succession of false intelligence, that they very soon suspected this story to be a contrivance of the government; and some asserted, that the supposed British officer was an inhabitant of Rotterdam, who had been selected for the occasion. Mr Grant, however, afterwards rendered more essential service to the Dutch cause, by carrying accurate intelligence to Admiral Ferrier of the state of affairs in Holland, and of the dangers to which the confederates were exposed.

About this time, Admiral Kichert repaired to M. Van Hogendorp at the Hague, and signified to him his determination of declaring for the Prince of Orange; he then produced a plan of operations to secure the navigation of the Maese, from the Briele to Gor

cum.

The execution of this plan required, however, the immediate advance of 50,000 florins (50007.) M. Van Hogendorp having given the admiral his note of hand for that sum, he returned to Rotterdam, raised the money among the friends of the confederates there, and immediately commenced his operations, by a proclamation abjuring the government of Buonaparte, and declaring for the Prince of Orange. This event decided the provisional government of that city to

follow his example. Thus the navigation of the Maese was secured to the confederates, and all the sailors having immediately hoisted the Orange flag, vessels were armed and manned without delay, and dispatched up the river to straighten William-Stadt and Helvoetsluys, which were still occupied by the enemy.

The confederates were, by these means, protected from any sudden irruption on the side of Gorcum ; but the greatest apprehension still existed of an attack from Utrecht. The French army there, under the command of General Molitor, which originally consisted of 4000 regular troops, had been augmented by the arrival of detached corps, which had been driven in by the peasantry from the surrounding country. There was nothing to impede the advance of this army upon Amsterdam and the Hague, for it was superior in numbers and discipline to any force which the confederates could have opposed to it. Their troops, which consisted of a few hundred men only, were for the most part raw volunteers, badly armed, and withont any military experience. It is difficult, in such circumstances, to account for the inactivity of the enemy, otherwise than by supposing him deceived and intimidated by the accounts which were continually circulated of the arrival of the British and Russian troops. The Dutch, about this time, displayed great ingenuity in the transmission of false intelligence to the French, who were thus foiled at their favourite weapon.

On the 27th, Mr Fagel arrived from England, and brought a letter from the Prince of Orange to M. Van Hogendorp, promising the prompt arrival of succours, and stating the prince's intention of sailing as soon as possible for Holland. This letter induced the confederates to hope that they might be able to keep the French in check till

the debarkation of the British troops. It was printed and dispersed without delay, and put an end to the hesitation of the magistracy of Leeuwarden and Groningen, who, on the receipt of it, immediately gratified the wishes of the inhabitants of Friezland, by declaring for the Prince of Orange.

After the Orange flag had been hoisted at the Hague, Captain Wautier was dispatched to the head quarters of the allies, which were then at Frankfort. On the 22d, he found General Bulow at Munster, and communicated to him the events which had taken place in Holland. The General observed, that this insurrection would be no less advantageous to the allies than a successful campaign; but regretted that his instructions did not permit him to advance beyond the Yssel. He was, however, subsequently induced to deviate from his orders, and to act upon his own responsibility. An unsuccessful application to the same effect was made to General Winzingerode; but an order for his advance from the Crown Prince of Sweden, under whom this general served, was afterwards obtained by the confede

rates.

On the 28th of November, four English men of war appeared off Schoveningen; Captain Baker immediately landed from the Cumberland, and proceeded to the Hague, which had just been entered by a detachment of sixty cossacks. Still, however, the people were alarmed and incredulous as to the arrival of English troops; particularly as Admiral Ferrier sailed with two of the above ships from Schoveningen to the Texel, and the transports, which had been erroneously announced as accompanying the fleet, did not appear An event which occurred in the middle of the night increased the conste...ation A large building in the centre of the town, which had been inhabited by the French attorney

general, was discovered to be on fire. All the papers belonging to the office had been left there; in three hours the whole edifice was consumed; and as the fire could not be considered accidental, it was supposed to be a concerted signal given to the French by their emissaries at the Hague, To dispel the general gloom, Captain Baker directed as many marines to be landed from the Cumberland and Princess Caroline as could be spared, without endangering the safety of those vessels. Accordingly, on the following day, (29th) 200 marines were disembarked. The people were overjoyed at their arrival; and each contended for the satisfaction of having an Englishman billeted in his house. All their former terrors and anxieties were forgotten in the joy for their deliverance; and from the most excessive despondency they passed to the opposite extreme. Their confidence was at the same time increased by intelligence, that the enemy had retired upon Gorcum after evacuating Woerden and Nieuwersluys. The day was spent in rejoicings and in preparations for the arrival of the Prince of Orange, which seemed now the only event wanting to complete the general happiness. The prince, who had embarked on the 26th at Deal, on board the Warrior, with Lord Clancarty and the English embassy, arrived on the 30th off Schoeveningen. In the course of the voyage they fell in with the Cumberland; and Captain Baker having communicated to the prince the state of affairs at the Hague, the apprehensions which were entertained of the return of the French, and the feeble means of defence_possessed by the confederates, Lord Clancarty was induced to order Captain Baker off his station, and to send him to Admiral Young with a statement of these circumstances. The admiral soon dispatched 300 marines, who were landed at Scheveningen,

and employed to make a demonstration on Helvoetsluys.

When his most serene highness approached the Dutch coast, various reports were conveyed to him of the surrender of the Brielle, and it was proposed to sail for that port; but another opinion fortunately prevailed, and the original intention was persevered in, of bearing up for Schoveningen. The Brielle was still in the possession of the French, and much risk would have ensued, had the plan of landing there been adopted. Although doubts were entertained respecting the state of affairs on shore, the prince was with difficulty persua ded, when he arrived off Scheveningen, to permit M. M. Perponcher and Hoppner to precede him to the Hague, that they might obtain information, and communicate, by signal, whether it would be safe for him to land. His impatience was, however, so great, that, without waiting for this signal, a few minutes after these gentlemen had left the ship, he got into a boat, from which he was conveyed in a cart to the shore, under a royal salute from the English ships. An immense concourse of people had rushed into the water to receive him; and it was with difficulty he could disengage himself from the crowd which pressed round from every side to congratulate him on his return. The day was remarkably fine, the beach was covered with spectators, and the cry of Orange Boven was heard from all sides, accompanied by demonstrations of joy approaching almost to phrenzy.

Amid the disgusting scenes of base and unprincipled adulation which have disgraced a neighbouring country, it is with pleasure the mind turns to the contemplation of the honest joy of a people whose applause confers honour upon its object, because it has never been lavished upon a tyrant.

On the arrival of the Prince of Orange

at the Hague, he proceeded to the house of Count Styrum, which was thrown open, and all were admitted into his presence. At night the town was illuminated; and, as the people every where proclaimed William the First sovereign prince, it was proposed that he should immediately assume that title.

It was, however, after some consideration, decided, that no step of this nature should be taken till his most serene highness had visited the capital. The prince was desirous of proceeding the next day to Amsterdam, but was detained by the meeting of a council of war, which was attended by Lord Clancarty, and by Generals Bulow and Benkendorf. At this council the future military operations were decided upon.

The whole military force at the Hague consisted of about 1500 men, including the 200 English marines landed by Captain Baker. These troops would not have been sufficient to prevent the advance of the French; but the arrival of the Prince of Orange inspired the Dutch with fresh courage, and induced the French to form an erroneous opinion, that he was attended by a powerful army from England. From this time the success of the revolution was considered by the people as certain; yet the more enlightened were not without serious apprehen sions, when they considered the feeble means of defence which the govern ment possessed. The enemy still oc cupied the greater number of the for tresses, and the whole of Zealand, including the Island of Walcheren, so that the Prince of Orange, in fact, had nothing more than the open towns. His situation, indeed, was so critical, that Lord Clancarty deemed it prudent to detain the Warrior some days upon the coast, as a resource in case of any reverse.

The Prince of Orange, convinced that unanimity in a nation is the only source of strength, lost no time in gi

« PoprzedniaDalej »