The people in the United Provinces were much attached to his interests.

Besides his connection with the family of Orange, which was extremely beloved by the populace, all men regarded with compassion his helpless condition, and expressed the greatest abhorrence against the murder of his father; a deed to which nothing, they thought, but the rage of fanaticism and faction could have impelled the parliament.

But though the public in general bore great favor to the king, the states were uneasy at his presence.

They dreaded the parliament, so formidable by their power, and so prosperous in all their enterprises.

They apprehended the most precipitate resolutions from men of such violent and haughty dispositions.