194 DEFECTION OF THE NETHERLANDS 



their mafters. Thus, after the lapfe of a few centuries, 

 we perceive a mixed form of government eftablifhed in 

 thefe parts, where the authority of the princes is con- 

 flderably limited by the influence of the feveral orders, 

 namely, the nobility, the clergy, and the cities. Thefe, 

 which were called the ftates, affembled as often as the 

 exigencies of the provinces rendered it neceffary. With- 

 out their cqnfent no law could be brought to effect, no 

 war might be carried on, no taxes railed, no alteration 

 made in the coin, no foreigner admitted to any de- 

 partment of the adminiftration. Thefe privileges were 

 enjoyed in common by all or moll of the provinces ; 

 others were different as the nature of the country va- 

 ried. • The government was hereditary; but the fort 

 could not fucceed, till he had folemnly fworn to up- 

 hold the constitution, and defend the laws. 



The firfr. legiflator is neceffity ; all the wants to be 

 provided for by this conftitution were originally the 

 wants of commerce. Accordingly, the whole form of 

 government adopted by the republic is founded on 

 merchandife, and its laws bear a later date than its 

 trade. The lafr. article in this conffitution, by which 

 foreigners are excluded from offices, is a natural con- 

 fequence of all the preceding. So complicated and 

 ingenious a relation of the fovereign with the people, 

 and which peculiarly differs in every province, and 

 frequently in one and the fame city, requires men who, 

 together with the moil ardent zeal for the maintenanca 

 of the liberty of the ftate, muft poffefs the moft fub- 

 ftantial knowledge of it. Thefe two properties can 

 hardly be fuppofed to fublift in a foreigner. This law, 

 moreover, is of force in each of the provinces apart ; 



fo 



