Droysen, the noted German historian, says, in substance :

This Tromp's victory-was the severest disaster which the Crown of Spain could undergo. It was, indeed, a death-blow to her sea-power. She could no longer in the Mediterranean maintain a secure connection with her Italian provinces. Already had France drawn the Court of Turin into close alliance. In Catalonia, in Portugal, the most important movements were already undertaken by France. And in England the Opposition lifted its head with fresh courage. The King began to weaken, and he summoned together that Parliament through which he was himself, at length, to lose all.

It could not be concealed from any one at the imperial court that the condition of affairs was most perilous, since at no earlier moment of the fearful war had it happened that upon itself alone it had to depend to drive Baner and his Swedes out of Bohemia, — which followed in the succeeding spring. Only for a moment did there seem assurance that there was any further hope to tear North Germany from Sweden's grasp, or for it militarily to maintain itself, since France nowlonger menaced by Spain - would press forward upon the Rhine districts with redoubled forces. It was absolutely necessary to provide from other sources against the deficiency of military supplies and forces which the misfortune of Spain had caused. So far Droysen.

no

Finally, the following paragraph from the Dutch is confirmatory: Arend, Amsterdam, 1868 (D. 3, 5, pp. 181, 202), says that such were the Dutch rejoicings over Tromp's victory, that they sent

congratulatory despatches to all their ambassadors and political agents abroad at Dantzig, and at Constantinople, instructing them to celebrate with decorations and illuminations at their embassies.

Having exhausted all the information to be derived from my extensive examination of books in various libraries and of manuscripts from Sweden, due to the friendly offices of M. Claes Annerstedt, Chief Librarian of the University at Upsala, the facts for this narrative were carefully gathered together, because my very heart was and is desirous of presenting this, Tromp's, achievement and its consequences, and because it is the triumph of Holland, -all alone by itself,-not only in spite of the opposition and interference of the English naval authorities, but over two Spanish fleets: a triumph as formidable for Free Thought in the future as was the victory of the combined EnglishDutch and the forces of nature-the elementsGod's help-which destroyed the Invincible Armada, just about fifty years previously.

I am astonished that such a momentous and influential action-due to Holland alone-could have escaped the notice of historians; and I only wish I could have found a copy of the original German World's History, which at first attracted my attention to this event.

It is utterly impossible at this day to arouse Hollanders to an enthusiasm equal to that of the era when Tromp gained this astounding victory. Because then it was necessary to secure those blessings-freedom of thought, freedom of worship, individual rights, in fact, all that the word liberty comprehends in its vast significance.

This victory over combined fleets, in the teeth

of English menace and English force, towers far above that of the combined English and Holland fleets over the "Invincible Armada." In 1588 the blasts of heaven were loosened upon the Spaniards. One of the very medals struck in Holland to celebrate that event summed up the whole story. The literal translation is: "God breathed in wrath, and they were swept into nothingness." (" Afflavit Deus et dissipati sunt!")

Tromp's victory was due to his perfect combination of the art and science of naval commandership and to the intrepidity, instincts, skill, and sailorship of his officers and men; to the head and heart of the man at the head, and the discipline and devotedness of each man behind the guns and at the tackling and handling of the sails-the preeminent Dutch seamen at the supremest era of the seven United States of Holland.

N the Year Book for 1890-1891 will be found the report of Alexander T. Van Nest, Esq., Chairman of the "Special Commit

tee on Tablets to be placed by the Society on Sites of Historic Interest in the City of New York."

The eight tablets suggested were all placed in position. Among them was one at No. 4 Bowling Green, to mark the site of the original fort.

The report states:

"The point around which much of the early history of New York centred was Fort Amsterdam. The first fort was built in the spring of 1615. Fort Amsterdam was completed in 1635, and was demolished in 1787, to make room for the old Government House. It was located on the site now occupied by the shipping buildings facing the Bowling Green.

The first substantial church edifice in New York was erected by Governor Kieft within the fort in 1642."

A plate of the tablet is here given.

ERECTED BY

THE HOLLAND SOCIETY
OF NEW YORK
MARCH 1890

THE SITE OF OLD"FORT AMSTERDAM

AROUND WHICH SO MUCH OF THE

EARLY HISTORY OF

THE ISLAND CENTRES •

FORT AMSTERDAM WAS BUILTIN 1626

AND DEMOLISHED IN 1787

TO MAKE ROOM FOR

THE OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE·

THE FIRST

SUBSTANTIAL CHURCH EDIFICE IN NEW YORK

WAS ERECTED

INSIDE THIS FORT •

The property on Bowling Green having been purchased by the United States Government for a Custom House, steps were taken to preserve the tablet and place it in the new building, as will appear from the following correspondence.

TREASURY Department,

OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY,

WASHINGTON, D. C., July 15, 1899.

DEAR SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of yours of the 13th instant, in which you call attention to a tablet now marking the spot of the first