Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/358

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346
TOUR THROUGH

through the means of American vessels, three or four of which arrive annually at Amsterdam laden with the produce of that colony; and notwithstanding it is probable it will be attacked by the English, the Dutch do not appear to entertain any fears for the safety of this, their most valuable establishment in India. The loss of their other colonies and islands affects them more for the disgrace which their capture has brought on the Dutch arms, than for any essential injury which the nation has thereby sustained. The superiority of the English at sea must of necessity have suspended their intercourse with these foreign possessions and they believe with great confidence, that whenever peace is concluded, their colonies, without exception, will be restored.

The late revolution of France, which has placed at the head of the government of that country one of the greatest generals, one of the most profound statesmen and enlightened legislators, that the world ever saw, is regarded in Holland as an event singularly fortunate for the republic. The character