Utrecht (the Roman Trajectum ad Rhenum). A town of Holland, capital of a province of the same name, on the old Rhine. The union of the Seven United Provinces began here in 1579. The treaty of Utrecht, which terminated the wars of Queen Anne, was signed by the ministers of Great Britain and France, and all the other allies, except the ministers of the empire, April 11, 1713. This treaty secured the Protestant succession in England, the separation of the French and Spanish crowns, the destruction of Dunkirk, the enlargement of the British colonies and plantations in America, and a full satisfaction for the claims of the allies. Utrecht surrendered to the Prussians May 9, 1787; was acquired by the French January 18, 1795, and restored at the peace.
Uxii. A warlike people, of predatory habits, who had their strongholds in Mount Parachoathras, on the northern border of Persia, in the district called Uxia, but who also extended over a considerable tract of country in Media.
V.
Vacancy. The state of an office or commission to which no one is appointed.
Vacant Companies. Companies to the permanent command of which no person is appointed for the time being.
Vacate. To annul; to make void; to deprive of force; to make of no authority or validity; as, to vacate a commission.
Vacca, Vaga, or Vaba (now Beja). A city of Zeugitana, in Northern Africa, on the borders of Numidia, a good day’s journey south of Utica. It was destroyed by Metellus in the Jugurthine war, but was restored and colonized by the Romans. Its fortifications were renewed by Justinian, who named it Theodorias, in honor of his wife.
Vadimonis Lacus (now Lago di Bassano). A small lake of Etruria. It is celebrated in history for the defeat of the Etruscans in two great battles, first by the dictator Papirius Cursor in 309 B.C., from the effects of which the Etruscans never recovered; and again in 283, when the allied forces of the Etruscans and Gauls were routed by the consul Cornelius Dolabella.
Værfvade. The standing army of Sweden, recruited by voluntary enlistment. They receive pay, and serve from three to six years. They form the foot- and horse-guards, the artillery and engineers.