Sir William Temple was ambassador to the Netherlands and wrote an account
of its government.
From Observations upon the United Provinces of the
Netherlands
In the first constitution of this government, after the revolt from Spain,
all the power and rights of Prince William of Orange, as Governor of the
Provinces, seem to have been carefully reserved. But those which remained
inherent in the Sovereign, were devolved upon the assembly of the
States-General, so as in them remained the power of making peace and war, and
all foreign alliances, and of raising and coining of monies: in the Prince, the
command of all land and sea forces, as Captain-general and Admiral, and thereby
the disposition of all military commands, the power of pardoning the penalty of
crimes, the chusing of magistrates upon the nomination of the towns; for they
presented three to the Prince, who elected one out of that number. Originally
the States-General were convoked by the council of State, where the Prince had
the greatest influence: nor, since that change, have the States used to resolve
any important matter without his advice. Besides all this, as the States-General
represented the sovereignty, so did the Prince of Orange the dignity, of this
State, by public guards, and the attendance of all military officers; by the
application of all foreign ministers, and all pretenders at home; by the
splendor of his court and magnificence of his expence; supported not only by the
pensions and rights of his several charges and commands, but by a mighty
patrimonial revenue in lands and sovereign principalities and lordships, as well
in France, Germany, and Burgundy, as in thy several parts of the Seventeen
Provinces; so as Prince Henry was used to answer some that would have flattered
him into the designs of a more arbitrary power, that he had as much as any wise
Prince would desire in that State; since he wanted none indeed, besides that of
punishing men, and raising money; whereas he had rather the envy of the first
should lie upon the forms of the government, and he knew the other could never
be supported, without the consent of the people, to that degree which was
necessary for the defence of so small a State against so mighty Princes as their
neighbours.
From The Works of Sir William Temple, 4 vols. (London, 1814),Vol. 1,
pp. 118-119.
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(c)Paul Halsall Aug 1997
halsall@murray.fordham.edu