American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-10-30
,U.sHINGTON .
~.s,,.ud-Its Physical Characteristics
and tts HtstOry.
&ssA So
NUMBRa THREE.


70 bs fulfilled, was evident from the fact tina
the governante received orders to prooee
against heretics with the utmost severity
Upon this the people broke into open insurrec
ton. 1t was the commonalty who, in the frs
instance, proceeded to these extremities; thu
principal inhabitants remained quiet. But
new oath of allegiance was exacted ana MI
persons were obliged to swear that they would
regard as traitors and enemies to their country
all whom the king should think proper TO pro-
scribe. A most cruel persecution ensued; the
Duke of Alva was sent with an army of 10000
men to put the last hand to the misery of the
people, and to establish the despotism of the
Court Counts Egmont and Horn most impru-
IDENTIFY took the aforementioned oath but the
Prince of Orange spurned it, and retired into
Germany with Counts Budenrade and Hoog-
strate. Great numbers of all ranks and condi-
lions followed their example. After the arrival
Of Alya and his army, such multitudes contin-
ued to emigrate that the Duchess Of Parma in
formed the king that within few days 100000
families had left his dominions that soon, Mt
this rate, she would have no people to govern !;
and begged leave to resign before she should
have the modification and disgrace of being
left alone in the Netherlands. The king i'm
mediately complied, and appointed as her sue
cessor the savage Duke of Alva. The king
was naughty and vengeful tyrant, with not
spark Of compassion in his nature, and totally
insensibe to the calamities of the people. Alva
was exactly like his master. The army under
Alva was fierce, rapacious, and merciless de-
string nothing so much as to enrich themselves
at the expense of the people. The whole coun-
try, under Alva, was filled with blood and hor-
ror; the Counts Egmont and Horn persisted on
the scaffold, and the estate of the Prince of
Orange was confscated. The people saw that
resistance alone would end these infamies
They invited the prince to return, and place
himself at their head for the purpose of syste-
matte resistance.
The prince had previously been endeavoring,
and alss his brother Louis of Nassau, to form
alliances in defence of the public liberties. Hav-
ing made certain preparations, he re, entered
the Low Countries His first efforts were very
unsuccessful Louis of Nassau, however, de-
feated body of Spaniards and killed six hun
dred on the spot.
Alva, however, was very able general. He |
concentrated his troops Prince Louis and
Count Hoogstrate retired before them. They
were compelled to action by Alva and totally
defeated Meantime, the Prince of Orange was
Fastening to the relief of his allies; but he was
defeated, and Count Hoogstrate killed. His
troops then deserted in such crowds that he
was forced to disband his army and retire into
Germany.
This disaster happened in 1859. The Duke
entered Brussels in triumph, and continued ex-
ecutions against those known or supposed to
favor the Prince of Orange. He projected the
total extirpation of the reformed religion by the
death of every one who professed it. All the
prisoners in the last campaign were put to death.
His plan was to erect citadels in all the towns;
and he began with Amsterdam. lie demanded |
the hundredth part Of every mans estate to be
paid Immediately for the support of the army,
besides the tenth of all the merchandise and
the twentieth Of immovables, to be levied an
nually as a standing revenue.
The Prince of Orange had not remained in
active, although compelled to leave the country.
violence to enforce the taxes, when news ar
rived OF the surrender Of Briel in the island Of
Voorn, at the entrance of the Mouse, to n
squadron of vessels fitted out by the Prince Of
Orange. Lumey, the commander, made a
descent on the island from forty ships, de-
stroyed the churches, broke the images, and
executed the priests, but offered no violence to
the other inhabitants. Alya was now under n
necessity to desist from his intended taxation
He sent Macmillan Hermin Bossa against the
insurgents. This officer, endeavoring to free
Briel, was defeated. The Orange party also
became masters Of Delfhaven, on the Mouse.
The Zealanders prosecuted with energy their
cruises against the Spaniards, and obtained as
much wealth as purchased large store Of arms
and ammunition at Antwerp. Joined by great
numbers Of English and Scotch Adventures
they ventured to attack the Duke Of Medins
Cell, who had been sent with strong squadron
TO succeed the Duke of Alva in the government
of the Netherlands. The duke was completely
defeated, great number Of his ships wer,
taken, and booty, amounting to nearly two
hundred thousand dollars, was carried of by
the Zealanders.
To augment his army in the field, the Duk
Of Alva had drnughted most of the garrison
Awaiting themselves Of the weakness OF tn
Spaniards in the towns, the friends Of tn
Prince Of Orange gained possession Of Nortl
Holland; and Louis Of Nassau, with the aid o
the inhabitants, succeeded in surprising tn
Spanish in the city Of Mons. Thus emboldened
most Of the cities and towns.in the province o
Holland declared against the government. In
word, the revolt became openly as general n
the disposition to revolt had been secretly gen
eral before. The Duke of Alva found himsel
unable to resist the torrent Even tyrants pu