£ollowed with a line of cannon, extended the whole breadth of the field of battle. The loss on both sides was variously represented; but the general current of accounts made that of the French considerably the greater. Soon after this action, both armics went into winter-quarters; and nothing further of any consequence passed in the Netherlands to the end of the year, except that several large detachments were sent from the French army there for Provence and the coast of Britany. During the last year the St At Es-GEin ER Al have had several disputes with the French court. The latter complained, that the States had obliged some French privateers to abandon, in their ports, the prizes they had carried in thither, and forced others to go out without receiving the succours of which they had necd; that they had permitted the English to carry three ships, taken from the French EastIndia company, into Batavia, where they were fold, and afterwards sent to Holland under the Dutch flag, in order to prevent their being retaken; and that they had infringed the capitulation of Tournay and Dendermonde, by sending to Britain part of their troops which had been taken in those places, and had been set at liberty on condition not to serve against the French King or his allies, before the beginning of 1747. These complaints were followed by an arret of the privileges that the subječts of the States, trading into France, enjoyed in virtue of former treaties; and when it was proposed to ransom the Dutch troops taken in Brussels, instead of the demand being complied with, they were sent to the remotest parts of France. Towards the end of February, Count Wassenaer set out for Paris, in order to re-establish matters between France and the republick upon the footing they had formerly been, and make overtures for a general peace. The Dutch troops sent into Britain returned to their own country near the beginning of April, without having had any occasion to act; and the Dutch East-India company agreed to make some compensation for the three French ships they had bought; upon which the rigour of the arret was somewhatabated. As to the Peace which their. |