Page:A Tour Through the Batavian Republic.djvu/329

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
THE BATAVIAN REPUBLIC
317

persecutions against virtue, integrity, and talents; violations of morality, and all the social duties of life; a disregard for the claims of humanity; factions succeeding to factions, each more terrible in their measures than their predecessors; the elevation of the bloodthirsty and flagitious, and the depression of the virtuous and humane! It has already been stated that not one drop of human blood was judicially spilt on account of the revolution of Holland!

The emigrations which took place prior to the arrival of the French were considerable, but no severe laws were enacted against the persons who so fled, and the tranquillity and good order maintained by the new government induced multitudes to return to their country. A nobleman who asked permission of the president of the provisional representatives, for his brother, who had accompanied the stadtholder to England, to return to Holland, received for answer, that there were laws against emigrations, but none against returns.

The conduct of the French, towards the