HISTORY  OF  THE  CITY  OF NEW  YORK.
 

CI-IAPTER   III.
 

THB   HAGUE.

The Hague.—John of Barneveld.—New Netherland.—New England.—The
First Fort at Manhattan. — Political Commotion in Holland. — John of Barne-
veld's Execution. — Imprisonment of Grotius. — The West India Company. —
The Amsterdam Chamber.-—The First Settlers of New Netherland.—Death
op the Prince of Orange. — Death of James I. — The Marriage of Charles I.
— The First Governor of New Neti
 

THE Hague was the seat of government in the United Provinces. It
was a fine old city, with broad, straight streets, lined with trees and
traversed by canals. It owed its origin to a hunting-seat built by the
counts of HoUand, and its name to the enclosing haeg or hedge
which suiTounded their magnificent patk. It derived its impor¬
tance from the constant presence of gifted and iUustrious men. The
princes of Orange, the officers of State, and the foreign ministers ac¬
credited to the EepubUc, resided within its limits. It was the home of
the ancient nobiUty, and the favorite resort of persons of culture and
distinction from all portions of modern Europe. It was a city of palaces.
Among its public buildings was the Binnehof, or inner court, the ancient
palace of the counte of HoUand. It contained a magnificent Gothic haU,
the rival of Westminster. Opposite was a smaUer apartment, superbly
decorated, in which were held the " dignified and extraordinary " meet¬
ings of the States-General.

The management of. the Seven United Provinces was vested in five
chief powers, — the States-General, the Council of State, the Chamber
of Accounts, the Stadtholder, and the CoUege of the Admiralty. The
States-General had the most influence and authority, but it was hardly a
representative body. It was, more properly speaking, a deputation from
the Seven Provinces, who were bound to obey their constituents to the
letter. It was composed chiefly of noblemen. Twelve usuaUy assembled
at its ordinary meetings. Prominent among them was the founder of
the Dutch Eepublic, — he who had organized a poUtical system out of