Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/330

318 Dutch nation was regarded by the latter with sentiments of gratitude and esteem, until, in the month of May, 1795, the articles of the treaty of peace between the two republics were made known. The conditions granted by France to Holland excited throughout the United Provinces the liveliest discontent. They were such as even the most zealous partisans of the new system, and the firmest adherents of the French, could not vindicate. But how were they to be rejected? Holland, completely in the power and at the mercy of France, had no alternative but to accept the conditions offered her, or see her cities given up to spoliation and rapine.

Beside the heavy contributions which had already been levied on the Dutch, a further sum, to the immense amount of one hundred millions of livres, was required by one of the articles of the treaty to be paid, either in specie or in bills upon foreign powers, as should afterwards be agreed upon, as ah indemnification to the French republic for the expences of the war.