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Joseph II. was declared to have forfeited his sovereignty in Brabant; and hostilities soon commenced by a regular advance of the insurgent army upon that province. Vander Mersch displayed consummate ability in this crisis, where so much depended upon the prudence of the military chief.

Quadruple Alliance General Peace of Europe Wise Conduct of the Republic Great Danger from the bad State of the Dikes Death of the Emperor Charles VI. Maria Theresa Empress Her heroic Conduct Battle of Dettingen Louis XV. invades the Netherlands Conferences for Peace at Breda Battle of Fontenoy William IV. Stadtholder and Captain-General Peace of Aix-la-Chapelle Death of the Stadtholder, who is succeeded by his Son William V. War of Seven Years State of the Republic William V. Stadtholder Dismemberment of Poland Joseph II. Emperor His attempted Reforms in Religion War with England Sea-Fight on the Doggerbank Peace with England, 1784 Progress of Public Opinion in Europe, in Belgium, and Holland Violent Opposition to the Stadtholder Arrest of the Princess of Orange Invasion of Holland by the Prussian Army Agitation in Belgium Vander Noot Prince Albert of Saxe-Teschen and the Archduchess Maria Theresa joint Governors-General Succeeded by Count Murray Riots Meetings of the Provisional States General Insurrection Vonckists Vander Mersch Takes the Command of the Insurgents His Skilful Conduct He gains the Battle of Turnhout Takes Possession of Flanders Confederation of the Belgian Provinces Death of Joseph II. Leopold Emperor Arrest of Vander Mersch Arrogance of the States-General of Belgium The Austrians overrun the Country Convention at The Hague Death of Leopold Battle of Jemmappes General Dumouriez Conquest of Belgium by the French Recovered by the Austrians The Archduke Charles Governor-General War in the Netherlands Duke of York The Emperor Francis The Battle of Fleurus Incorporation of Belgium with the French Republic Peace of Leoben Treaty of Campo-Formio.

Vander Mersch, a soldier of fortune, and a man of considerable talents, who had raised himself from the ranks to the command of a regiment, and had been formed in the school of the seven years' war, was appointed to the command of the patriot forces.

The violent party which now ruled at Brussels had ungratefully forgotten the eminent services of Vander Mersch, and accused him of treachery, merely from his attachment to the noble views and principles of the widely-increasing party of the Vonckists.

Vander Mersch was instantly arrested and thrown into prison, where he lingered for months, until set free by the overthrow of the faction he had raised to power; but he did not recover his liberty to witness the realization of his hopes for that of his country.