Excerpt from The Historians' History of the World, Vol. 14 of 25: A Comprehensive Narrative of the Rise and Development of Nations as Recorded by Over Two Thousand of the Great Writers of All Ages; The Netherlands (Concluded); The Germanic Empires

During a period of thirty years following the Treaty of Utrecht, the republic enjoyed the unaccustomed blessing of profound peace. While the discontents Of the Austrian Netherlands on the subject of the barrier-treaty were in debate, the quadruple alliance was formed between Holland, England, France, and the emperor for reciprocal aid against all enemies, foreign and domestic. It was in virtue of this treaty that the pretender to the English throne received orders to remove from France; and the states-general about the same time arrested the Swedish ambassador, Baron von Gortz, whose intrigues excited some suspicion.

The death of Louis XIV had once more changed the political system of Europe; and the commencement of the eighteenth century was fertile in negotiations and alliances in which we have at present but little direct interest. The rights of the republic were in all instances respected; and Holland did not cease to be considered as a power of the first distinction and consequence. The establishment of an East India company at Ostend, by the emperor Charles VI, in 1722, was the principal cause of disquiet to the United Prov inces, and the most likely to lead to a rupture. But, by the Treaty of Hanover in 1726, the rights of Holland resulting from the Treaty of Munster were guaranteed; and in consequence the emperor abolished the company of his creation, by the Treaty of Seville in 1729, and that of Vienna in 1731.

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