when he pleases in the provincial tribunals, and has throughout the power of pardon.
As Stadtholder of the Union, he has however considerable prerogatives.
In his political capacity, he has authority to settle disputes between the provinces, when other methods fail; to assist at the deliberations of the States-General, and at their particular conferences; to give audiences to foreign Ambassadors, and to keep agents for his particular affairs at foreign Courts.
In his military capacity, he commands the Fœderal troops; provides for garrisons, and in general regulates military affairs; disposes of all appointments, from Colonels to Ensigns, and of the Governments and posts of fortified towns.
In his marine capacity, he is Admiral-General, and superintends and directs everything relative to naval forces, and other naval affairs; presides in the admiralties in person or by proxy; appoints Lieutenant-Admirals and other officers; and establishes Councils of war, whose sentences are not executed till he approves them.
His revenue, exclusive of his private income, amounts to three hundred thousand florins. The standing army which he commands consists of about forty thousand men.
Such is the nature of the celebrated Belgic Confederacy, as delineated on parchment. What are the characters which practice has stamped upon it? Imbecility in the Government; discord among the provinces; foreign influence and indignities; a precarious existence in peace, and peculiar calamities from war.
It was long ago remarked by Grotius, that nothing but the hatred of his countrymen to the House of Austria kept them from being ruined by the vices of their Constitution.
The Union of Utrecht, says another respectable writ-
