De Witt

Jan, Grand Pensionary of Holland, celebrated as a statesman and for his tragical end; was the son of Jacob de Witt, burgomaster of Dort, and was born in 1625 or 1632. He became the leader of the political party opposed to the Prince of Orange, and in 1652, two ie after the death of William II., was made grand pensionary. In 1665 the war with England was renewed and conducted by De Witt ei eat ability till its termination in 1665. In 1672 Louis XIV. invaded the Spanish Netherlands and involved Holland in war. De Witt’s popularity, already on the decline, suffered still further in the troubles thus occasioned, and he felt it nece ary to —_— his office of grand pensionary. t this time his brother Cornel i us, who had been tried and put to torture for es against the life of the young Prince o: Dezter; Orange, lay in prison.