Note 43 — JOURNAL OF ELIZABETH LADY HOLLAND

The position of the British and Russian troops in Holland had become so unsatisfactory and precarious owing to the inclemency of the weather and various other circumstances, that the Duke of York decided early in October to withdraw his advance posts and report the whole matter to the home Government. The enemy made one determined attack on the British during their retirement, but were repulsed with loss. On October 17 a truce was agreed to between the combatants, and it was arranged as a set-off to permission to the British to re-embark without molestation that 8000 of the Batavian and French seamen, prisoners in England, should be given up to the French.