In 1787 the Patriots held several important cities. The stadholder fled to Nijmegen but with the help of his brother-in-law, the king of Prussia, was able to eliminate his opponents in October. Thousands left for France. A couple of years after the French revolution began in 1789, French revolutionary troops started their march northwards. In January 1795 they crossed the frozen rivers. William V escaped to Great Britain, after which the Batavian Republic was proclaimed with the support of the French. Once more the Netherlands was at war with Great Britain and trade was at a standstill yet again. After recognizing the United States in 1783, Britain had restored trading relations with the former colonies. The Netherlands, however, sank into an economic morass.