150 ANNUAL RpGI,S.TER, 1758.
intimately conncifieJ, thoufands of tradefmen and others, who are connefled with merchants that have hitherto carried on a flourifh- ing trade, will be reduced to dif- trefs and poverty ; thbfe connec- tions ceafing by the extindion of the eftates of merchants, who'have ^ always approved themfelves faith- ful to their country, tliefe will be forced to abandon it, to their great regret, and feek fhelter and pro- tedlion elfewhere; which will give a mortal blow to the principal members of the itate.
For thefe juft ciiufes, the peti- tioners have recourfe to your high xnightinefTes, molt humbly implor- ing them, both in their own names, and in the name of a multitude of unhappy people, who are on the point of being ftript of all their effeftp, of finking into the utmoll diftrefs, and being reduced to beggary, that it may pleafe your high mightinefles to grant to com- merce and navigation fuch fpeedy, vigorous, and etfeclual protection, that the faithful fubjeds of this free ftate m^y enjoy their poflef- fions in full fecurity.
And your petitioners, &c." Memorial which the Princefs Gouvernanteprefented to the States General on the 7th of June, relat- ing to the propofed augmentation of their land forces.
" High and mighty Lords,
- ' My quality, my duty, and my
inclination, lead me to make the following reprefentation to your high mightinefles. I had the ho- nour to r 'prefent to you, when the war began to be kindled between France and England, about the limits of their territories in Ame- rica, that this war would undoubt- edly be transferred from that part
ofthewo.ld to Europe, and that prudence required that an augmen- tation fhoiild be made in the land forces of the Ibte, in order to re- inforce the garrifons of the fron^ tier towns, and cover the territo- ries of the republic from invafion.
I further forefaw, that Europe, being made the theatre pf war, fevcral camps would be formed in Flanders, on the banks of the Rhine, and in the duchy of Cleves. The event having (hewn the ju fin efs of thofe conjectures, I again infilled upon the neceflity of making this augmentation, that the republic might be in a condition to caufe her reutralitv to be refpeiled, and to prevent her territoriei from be- ing made the feat of war.
The provinces of Guelders and Overyfiel,^ frighted at the danger with which thofe provinces are threatened by the pr.oximity of two formidable armies, have refolved to demand that the affair of the aug- mentation of the republic's forces may be taken into ferious confide- ration by the other provinces, and have requelled me to join my foli- citations to theirs, that this aug- mentation may take place ; which I do the more readily, as I ani equally fenfible with them of the extent of the danger that threatens the republijc, efpecially fince the Hanoverian army crofled the Rhine. This augmentation is the more neceflary, as it behoves the ttaie to be able to hinder either army from retiring into the territories of the flate if it fhould be defeated ; for in that cafe the conqueror, being authorifcd to purfue his enemy wherever he can find him, would bring the war into the heart of our country. None of the powers at war could be offended at the
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