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328 The stadtholderian party, probably blinded by their passions, mistook these discontents and murmurs for a general inclination in the people to re-establish the old form of government, provided such foreign assistance could be furnished them, as would enable them to expel the French from the territories of the republic and thus over-rating their strength and abilities, strong representations were made to England of the expediency of sending into Holland a sufficient force to assist the friends of the stadtholder, and exonerate the republic from the bondage of France. The disaffection to the new government, which notoriously prevailed in the marine and military forces of the republic, was placed in the strongest light; and assurances were held out, if not of their cordial support, of a languid resistance. It was further stated, that the number of French troops in Holland was more reduced than it had been at any period since the conquest of the country; and that the vast armies which the French had to maintain in Italy and Germany, where the fate of the war