no HISTORY OF GREAT BRITAIN.

CHAP.

LXIV.

I66S;

1 3 til J au.

Triple

league.

entirely to England and Holland to employ forcefor making the terms effectual. And the remainderof the Low Countries they thenceforth guaranteedto Spain. A defensive alliance was likewise con-cluded between Holland and England.

The articles of this confederacy were soonadjusted by such candid and able negociators:But the greatest difficulty still remained. By theconstitution of the republic, all the towns in allthe provinces must give their consent to everyalliance; and besides that this formality couldnot be dispatched in less than two months , itWas justly to be dreaded, that the influence ofFrance would obstruct the pasting of the treatyin some of the smaller cities. D’Esirades, theFrench ambassador, a man of abilities, hearingof the league, which was on the carpet, treatedit lightly; u Six weeks hence,” said he, C£ wSc ‘ shall speak to it. ” To obviate this difficulty,de Wit had the courage, for the public good,to break through the laws in so fundamental anarticle; and by his authority, he prevailed withthe States General at once to sign and ratify theleague: Though they acknowledged, that, ifthat measure should displease their constituents,they nsqued their heads by this irregularity. Aftersealing, all parties embraced with great cordiality.Temple cried out, At Breda, as friends: Here, asbrothers. And de Wit added, that now the matterwas finished, it looked like a miracle.

Room had been left in the treaty for theacccstxon of Sweden , which was soon after