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HISTORY OF ENGLAND.

chap, together retained almost all the rights of sovereignty, andI68S ~ asserted those rights punctiliously against the central govern-ment. As the federal authorities had not the means of exact-ing prompt obedience from the provincial authorities, so theprovincial authorities had not the means of exacting promptobedience from the municipal authorities. Holland alonecontained eighteen cities, each of which was, for many pur-poses, an independent state, jealous of all interference fromwithout. If the rulers of such a city received from the Haguean order which was unpleasing to them, they either neglectedit altogether, or executed it languidly and tardily. In sometown councils, indeed, the influence of the Prince of Orangewas all powerful. But unfortunately the place where theBritish exiles had congregated, and where their ships hadbeen fitted out, was the rich and populous Amsterdam; andthe magistrates of Amsterdam were the heads of the factionhostile to the federal government and to the House of Nassau.The naval administration of the United Provinces was con-ducted by five distinct boards of Admiralty. One of thoseboards sate at Amsterdam, was partly nominated by theauthorities of that city, and seems to have been entirelyanimated by their spirit.

All the endeavours of the federal government to effectwhat James desired were frustrated by the evasions of thefunctionaries of Amsterdam, and by the blunders of ColonelBevil Skelton, who had just arrived at the Hague as Envoyfrom England. Skelton had been born in Holland during theEnglish troubles, and was therefore supposed to be peculiarlyqualified for his post;* but he was, in truth, unfit for that andfor every other diplomatic situation. Excellent judges ofcharacter pronounced him to be the most shallow, fickle, pas-sionate, presumptuous, and garrulous of men.** lie took no

* This is mentioned in his credentials dated on thelGth oTMarch, 168$.

** Bonrepaux to Seigneiay, Feb. -jj. 1686.