England, Holland, and Belgium

I cannot contain my indignation at the conduct of our government towards / Holland. They have undoubtedly forgotten the true and well-recognized / policy of this country in regard to Portugal in permitting the war faction / in France to take possession of the Tagus, and to bully the Portuguese / upon so flimsy -- indeed, false -- a pretext[1] yet, in this instance, / something may be said for them.

Miguel is such a wretch, that I acknowledge a sort of morality in leaving / him to be cuffed and insulted; though, of course, this is a poor answer to / a statesman who alleges the interest and policy of the country. But, as to / the Dutch and King William: the first, as a nation, the most ancient ally, / the _alter idem_ of England, the best deserving of the cause of freedom / and religion and morality of any people in Europe; and the second, the / very best sovereign now in Christendom, with, perhaps, the single / exception of the excellent king of Sweden[2] -- was ever any thing so mean / and cowardly as the behaviour of England!