Anthonie Heinsius

Anthonie Heinsius
Portrait of Anthonie Heinsius (1659), by Gerbrand van den Eeckhout
Grand Pensionary of Holland
In office 26 May 1689 – 3 September 1720 (1689-05-26 – 1720-09-03)
Preceded by	Michiel ten Hove
Succeeded by	Isaac van Hoornbeek
Personal details
Born	(1641-11-23)23 November 1641 Delft, Dutch Republic
Died	3 September 1720(1720-09-03) (aged 78) The Hague, Dutch Republic
Political party	States' Party
Alma mater	University of Orléans

Anthonie (or Antonius) Heinsius (23 November 1641, Delft – 3 August 1720, The Hague) was a Dutch statesman who served as Grand Pensionary of Holland from 1689 to his death in 1720. Heinsius was a tough negotiator and one of the greatest and most obstinate opponents of the expansionist policies of Louis XIV's France. He was one of the driving forces behind the anti-France coalitions of the Nine Years' War (1688–97) and the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–14).

Even during the life of King William III, he was seen as the preeminent statesman in Europe outside of France. After the death of William III in 1702, Heinsius' hold on the Dutch States General diminished, but he remained Grand Pensionary of Holland, and replaced William as the main policy maker in the field of foreign affairs of the Dutch Republic. In this he was supported by a Cabinet noir under the direction of his private secretary Abel Tassin d'Alonne.

Early life

Anthonie Heinsius was born in Delft on 23 November 1641, from the marriage of Adriaan Heinsius and Maria Dedel. His father belonged to the governing families of Delft, where Anthonie completed his education at the Latin school. He later attended the University of Orléans, earning a doctorate in both civil and canon law in 1662. Upon returning to Delft, he practiced law there until his appointment as the city's pensionary in 1679.

In the States of Holland, during these years, the Delft government generally aligned with Amsterdam in opposition to the foreign policy of William III of Orange. Heinsius, as the city's pensionary, leaned in this direction, prompting some to see his assignment in 1682 to Paris as a means to remove him. His task was to address the acts of violence orchestrated by Louis XIV in the Principality of Orange. Before his departure, William III predicted a reception in Paris that would not be unfriendly but would yield no results, a prophecy that proved accurate. Heinsius resistance to the encroachments of Louis XIV, however, escalated to the extent that Louvois went as far as threatening him with imprisonment in the Bastille.

This mission seemingly contributed to convincing Heinsius that the power and politics of Louis XIV were indeed perilous and rightfully opposed by William III. In early 1685, he departed for England with several other delegates to negotiate difficulties between the Dutch (VOC) and English (EIC) East India Companies. By the spring of 1686, the commission returned without achieving its goal, but in 1687 he became a member of the board of the Delft chamber of the Dutch East India Company. Correspondence between him and the Grand Pensionary Gaspar Fagel during this time clearly indicates that he no longer belonged to the adversaries of Prince William and the Grand Pensionary and Fagel came to trust him. Their relationship had even improved to the extent that, as Fagel's health deteriorated, Heinsius was approached regarding his willingness to take over Fagel's position.

Grand Pensionary

Nine Years' War

Upon Fagel's death at the end of 1688, the position of Grand Pensionary was temporarily assumed by Michiel ten Hove, the pensionary of Haarlem. However, Ten Hove passed away on 24 March 1689. Subsequently, Heinsius was entrusted with the interim performance of the office. Initially hesitant to accept an appointment, he yielded to the insistence of William, who, after the Glorious Revolution, now also was the King of England. On May 26, 1689, he was elected as the Grand Pensionary by the States of Holland and was subsequently reappointed every five years. During this time the Dutch Republic was involved in the Nine Years' War.

The Dutch had long been concerned with the fate of the Spanish Netherlands, viewing it as a strategic buffer against France. This perception endured even during periods of alliance with France, in de time of Johan de Witt. Evidenced by the popularity of the motto "Gallicus amicus non vicinus" ('France is a good friend, but not a good neighbour') within the Dutch Republic. The War of Devolution (1667–68) and the Franco-Dutch War (1672–78) showed the Spanish could not defend the Southern Netherlands. The Dutch hoped to create a barrier that would provide the strategic depth needed to protect their commercial and demographic heartlands around Amsterdam against attack from the south. The Ryswick peace negotiations which ended the Nine Years' War, allowed, among other things, the Dutch to place garrisons in eight Spanish key cities. Heinsius appeared among the Dutch delegates that concluded the peace.

Early years of the War of the Spanish Succession

Dutch and English ships at the Battle of Vigo Bay, 1702

During the War of the Spanish Succession, Heinsius, along with the Duke of Marlborough and Prince Eugene, formed the triumvirate that, in various respects, governed Europe. Heinsius directed much of the strategy of the Grand Alliance and, despite not being a military leader, had an important role in planning many military campaigns.

With the help of Maximilian of Bavaria, the governor of the Spanish Netherlands, the Dutch garrison troops had been replaced by French troops by 1701. Dutch priorities were to re-establish and strengthen the Barrier fortresses, retain control of the economically vital Scheldt estuary, and gain access to trade in the Spanish Empire. When Dutch forces operated outside the Spanish Netherlands this was often a concession to their English allies.

The first objective was, however, to secure the Dutch frontiers, threatened by the alliance between France, Bavaria, and Joseph Clemens of Bavaria, ruler of Liège and Cologne. In the early months Dutch Field Marshal, the Prince of Nassau-Usingen, captured Kaiserswerth, while an assault on Nijmegen, a very important Dutch city, was only barely repelled, by the Earl of Athlone.

The Dutch Republic had many capable and experienced generals, no one was considered qualified enough for supreme command in the Low Countries. The Duke of Marlborough was instead appointed commander-in-chief of the joint Anglo-Dutch army. The trust William III had placed in him and the expectation that the appointment would ensure close cooperation between London and The Hague were the deciding factors.

However, Marlborough was considered a lightweight in the Netherlands. He had never before commanded a large army and comparatively limited military experience. Moreover, he was a foreigner and the States General wanted to prevent British political and military interests from being prioritised over those of the Dutch Republic. The States-General thus put severe limits on his power, which were defined in 12 articles. The most notable articles stated that:

1. (Article 2) Marlborough was only allowed to command the Dutch troops that were part of the combined field army.
2. (Article 3) Marlborough always had to formulate his operational plans in consultation with the highest Dutch general, who was also authorised to ask his subordinates for advice.
3. (Article 4) Marlborough had to take all his decisions in agreement with the Dutch commander and the field deputies.
4. (Article 6) Marlborough was not allowed to give orders to the Dutch troops independently of the Dutch senior officers.

Marlborough had to rely on his powers of tact and persuasion, and gain the consent of accompanying Dutch field deputies, the political representatives of the States General. Because of this Marlborough's personal friendship with Heinsius would prove immensely beneficial to him.

The rest of the 1702 campaign went relatively well and Marlborough took Venlo, Roermond, Stevensweert and Liège along the Meuse. The 1703 campaign was, instead, marred by Allied conflicts over strategy. Despite capturing Bonn, they failed to take Antwerp, while a Dutch contingent narrowly escaped disaster at Ekeren in June. In that same year, the strategic position of the Emperor continued to worsen. To relieve the pressure, Marlborough marched up the Rhine, joined forces with Louis of Baden and Prince Eugene, and crossed the Danube on 2 July. Allied victory at Blenheim on 13 August forced Bavaria out of the war and the Treaty of Ilbersheim placed it under Austrian rule. Allied efforts to exploit their victory in 1705 foundered on poor co-ordination, tactical disputes and command rivalries. A diplomatic crisis between the Dutch Republic and England was only averted by the dismissal of General Slangenburg. Heinsius played a significant role in this.

Years of Success

In 1706, when the French court made some secret peace proposals, the advice of the Grand Pensionary and the government of Amsterdam was sought. The Frenchman Helvetius, the son of the renowned physician, arrived from Paris under the pretext of visiting his father. While here, he engaged in several discussions with Heinsius on this subject, delivering letters and messages from President Rouillé. Furthermore, he sent a draft, approved by the Amsterdam government, to English statesmen. Heinsius then elaborated on the points, totaling 40, contained in this proposal. However, these negotiations did not result in peace. Heinsius received a letter from the French statesmen filled with bitter complaints about the conduct of the delegates involved in those negotiations.

Dutch troops at the Battle of Malplaquet

From 1706, the war in the Spanish Netherlands took an unexpectedly favorable turn for the Allied army. At the Battle of Ramillies, a French army was decisively defeated, leading to a substantial portion of the Spanish Netherlands falling into the hands of the Anglo-Dutch forces. From July 1706 until Februari 1716, the Spanish Netherlands transitioned into an Anglo-Dutch condominium. The sovereignty of Charles was theoretically recognized, yet governance would be administered by a Council of State comprising Belgians, acting on his behalf under the regency of the Maritime Powers. The immediate threat to the Republic had diminished, sparking hope in Paris and anxiety in London and Vienna that Heinsius might seek a separate peace. However, it was overlooked that most strong fortified cities - like Tournai, Lille, Mons and Namur - were still not under Allied control. If they were to become part of the Dutch barrier, the war had to continue.

In the following years, the Allies slowly advanced towards the borders of France. Victories in the battles of Oudenarde and Malplaquet and the capture of Lille, Tournai, and Mons were notable successes for the Allies. Despite the soaring costs, which also greatly burdened the Republic, the imminent humiliation of France seemed undeniable. During the peace negotiations in 1709, Louis appeared willing to make significant concessions.

However, the demands posed by the Allies to Louis XIV proved to be a step too far for him. Heinsius insisted that the king should deploy his own troops to expel his grandson from Spain. According to Heinsius and the other Dutch negotiators, this demand was necessary due to the French king's unreliability in the past. The peace negotiations of 1709 and 1710 thus collapsed.

The war comes to an end

Allegory on the failure of the peace negotiations at Geertruidenberg, 1710. The Quicksilver Peace, fled from Geertruidenberg to Versailles.

Ultimately, when the English War Ministry collapsed and the new government initiated peace with France, the Republic suffered the disappointing consequences. Heinsius felt this burden heavily, even though he shared responsibility for prolonging the war excessively with many others. In 1712, amid the disappointing turn of events, he faced severe reproaches in the States of Holland. There were even rumors of his intent to resign. Although this didn't materialize, his authority and esteem were shaken, and he was henceforth not the same, neither physically nor mentally.

But the peace of 1713 fulfilled in many respects, both militarily and politically, what William III and Heinsius had envisaged for the war. France's drive for expansion had been stilled and the Dutch buffer realised. Hence, the disillusionment prevailing among Dutch contemporaries regarding the War of the Spanish Succession didn't arise from unmet aspirations of the Grand Alliances. Instead, it emerged from the unforeseen course this conflict undertook starting from 1706. Suddenly, the prospect of decisively overcoming Louis XIV appeared attainable. Nonetheless, the dire circumstances faced by France remained unutilized due to the actions orchestrated by the British government.

Negotiations on the implementation of the barrier between the Dutch and Austrians, however, dragged on until 1715, as the Austrians proved reluctant to pay for Dutch garrisons stationed in their territory. Following George I's accession to the British throne in the years after 1713, Heinsius regained hope and positive expectations. Those hopes were dashed, but the Jacobite rising of 1715, would ultimately still force George to back the Dutch against the Austrians. After that the barrier negotiations were quickly concluded to the Dutch Republic's satisfaction.

In the autumn of 1716, the English government caused him further disappointment by, contrary to explicit assurances, forging an alliance with France outside the Republic. Until then the Republic had held the role as mediators between England and France. Heinsius was utterly dismayed upon receiving this news, wondering in distress what he could say if the States reproached him for being deceived. Understandably, after the Republic entered into this Anglo-French alliance, he became more apprehensive in negotiations regarding accession to the so-called Quadruple Alliance, which, besides, other considerations made the Dutch regents averse to. Moreover, after the Peace of Utrecht, the dire state of the finances underscored a gap in his multifaceted skills. Since assuming the role of Grand Pensionary, his involvement in foreign policy had been all-consuming, leaving him little attention or care for financial matters. He lacked the familiarity with fiscal administration and taxation demanded by the necessities of those years. He remained unmarried. Heinsius died in 1720, still in function.

Legacy

Assessment

Heinsius and Marlborough together filled King William's place, with less authority, but far greater success.

— Winston Churchill

Heinsius held the post of Grand Pensionary for over 31 years, longer than most of his predecessors and successors, except for Johan van Oldenbarnevelt. Throughout these 3 decades he played a significant and respected role, although to a lesser extent after 1713 than before. The death of William III in the years 1689-1713 marked a division. William and Heinsius were closely aligned in their views on European affairs, often finding agreement. Heinsius actively shared his own detailed opinions, and William frequently sought his input. This collaboration with the Stadtholder-King greatly bolstered Heinsius' influence in Holland and the Republic, providing strong moral support.

Amidst Heinsius' widely acknowledged skills - keen intellect, sound judgment, extensive knowledge, tactfulness, great diplomatic finesse, tireless diligence, and unblemished integrity - lay a characteristic that sometimes hindered him: his humility. His modesty occasionally undercut his confidence, particularly after William's passing, fostering extreme caution and indecision.

Contemporary opnions

Jean Baptiste Colbert, Marquis of Torcy, a French diplomat, who negotiated some of the most important treaties towards the end of Louis XIV's reign, describes Heinsius as

a consummate man in affairs, of a reserved manner, polite in conversation, never harsh and seldom heated in debate. His demeanor, was accommodating; no ostentation in his household; his staff comprised a secretary, a coachman, a footman, a maid, not indicating the power of a prime minister.

he was not accused of finding pleasure in the consideration brought by the continuation of war to prolong it, nor of any personal interest.

Voltaire presents Heinsius in his The Age of Louis XIV as a "Spartan proud to have humbled a Persian King," after the collapsed peace negotiations of 1709, when Louis XIV had sent Torcy to The Hague to seek peace.

Sources

• Blok, P.J.; Molhuysen, P.C. (1911). "Heinsius, Antonie". Nieuw Nederlandsch biografisch woordenboek. Deel 1.
• Van der Aa, A.J. (1867). "Anthonij Heinsius". Biographisch woordenboek der Nederlanden. Deel 8. Eerste stuk.
• Lesaffer, Randall. "Fortress Belgium – The 1715 Barrier Treaty". OUP Law. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
• Rowen, Herbert H. (1954). "John de Witt and the Triple Alliance". The Journal of Modern History. 26 (1): 1–14. doi:10.1086/237659. JSTOR 44224692. S2CID 145695238.
• Van Alphen, Marc; Hoffenaar, Jan; Lemmers, Alan; Van der Spek, Christiaan (2021). Military Power And The Dutch Republic: War, Trade and the Balance of Power in Europe, 1648–1813. Boom. ISBN 978-9087283650.
• Van Nimwegen, Olaf (2002). De Republiek der Verenigde Nederlanden als grote mogendheid: Buitenlandse politiek en oorlogvoering in de eerste helft van de achttiende eeuw en in het bijzonder tijdens de Oostenrijkse Successieoorlog (1740–1748) (in Dutch). De Bataafsche Leeuw. ISBN 9789067075404.
• Churchill, Winston (1936). Marlborough: His Life and Times. George G. Harrap Co. Ltd London.
• Van Nimwegen, Olaf (2020). De Veertigjarige Oorlog 1672-1712: de strijd van de Nederlanders tegen de Zonnekoning (The 40 Years War 1672-1712: the Dutch struggle against the Sun King) (in Dutch). Prometheus. ISBN 978-90-446-3871-4.
• Ostwald, Jamel (2000). ""The 'Decisive' Battle of Ramillies, 1706: Prerequisites for Decisiveness in Early Modern Warfare."". The Journal of Military History. 42 (3): 649–677. JSTOR 44224692.
• Wijn, J.W. (1956). Het Staatsche Leger: Deel VIII Het tijdperk van de Spaanse Successieoorlog (The Dutch States Army: Part VIII The era of the War of the Spanish Succession) (in Dutch). Martinus Nijhoff.

Further reading

• The Correspondence of Anthonie Heinsius, 1702–1720, edited by A. J. Veenendaal, Jr.
• Antonie Heinsius and the Dutch Republic, edited by J. A. F. de Jongste and A. J. Veenendaal, Jr.
• Heinsius' Correspondence in the Nationaal Archief, The Hague, 36.3 metres.

External links

• Media related to Anthonie Heinsius at Wikimedia Commons