90

HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

CHAP.

VII.

1687 .

Influenceof theDutchpress.

A negotiation on this subject was opened between White-hall and Versailles. Lewis had as many soldiers as he wanted;and, had it been otherwise, he would not have been disposedto take Englishmen into his service; for the pay of England,low as it must seem to our generation, was much higher thanthe pay of France. At the same time, it was a great objectto deprive William of so fine a brigade. After some weeksof correspondence, Barillon was authorised to promise that,if James would recall the British troops from Holland, Lewiswould bear the charge of supporting two thousand of them inEngland. This offer was accepted by James with warm ex-pressions of gratitude. Having made these arrangements,he requested the States General to send back the six regi-ments. The States General, completely governed by William,answered that such a demand, in such circumstances, was notauthorised by the existing treaties, and positively refusedto comply. It is remarkable that Amsterdam, which had votedfor keeping these troops in Holland when James needed theirhelp against the Western insurgents, now contended vehe-mently that his request ought to be granted. On both oc-casions, the sole object of those who ruled that great citywas to cross the Prince of Orange. *

The Dutch arms, however, were scarcely so formidableto James as the Dutch presses. English books and pamphletsagainst his government were daily printed at the Hague; norcould any vigilance prevent copies from being smuggled, bytens of thousands, into the counties bordering on the Ger-man Ocean. Among these publications, one was distinguishedby its importance, and by the immense effect which it pro-duced. The opinion which the Prince and Princess ofOrange held respecting the Indulgence was well known' toall who were conversant with public affairs. But, as no offi-

* Sunderland to William, Aug. 24. 1686; William to Sunderland,Sept. a. 1686; Barillon, May*. Oct. A 1681 i Lewis 10

Barillon, Oct. £$. 1687; Memorial ofAlbeville, Dec. ii. 1681; James toWilliam, Jan. 17. Feb. 16 March 2. 13. 1688 j Avaux Neg., March-ft. ft. tV

April 1.