In 1836: Maastricht province as part of the Netherlands is premature.
At the start of the 1836 GC game is the Dutch possession of the game province Maastricht premature.
The population of what became later Dutch Limburg have joined the Belgian struggle of independence in 1830 too. Only the cities of Maastricht, Venlo and the town of Mook in the most northern part of the province remained in possession of the Netherlands due the existence of strong Dutch army regiments there. Historical was the bulk of Dutch Limburg (the game province Maastricht) until 1839 in possession of Belgium. Finally the Dutch King signed the London Treaty in 1839 under the condition that the eastern parts of the Belgian provinces Luxembourg and Limburg return to him. This means that it is in my opinion historical correct that at the start of the GC game Maastricht is under Belgian control, The Netherlands gain the game province Maastricht by capturing it or due signing the Treaty of London.
The reason why the major powers of Europe (especially Prussia) granted the eastern part of the in 1815 created province Limburg to the Dutch king had to do with the existence of the
German Confederation. During the 1815-1830 period of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was Luxembourg not one of its a provinces. Luxembourg was (in game terms) a vassal state due its personal union with the Dutch king also being the Duke of Luxembourg. Original enclosed the territory of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg also the present day Belgian province Luxembourg. Further was Luxembourg as a duchy a member state of the German Confederation. The Treaty of London split the territory of Luxembourg in two parts, the western French speaking part, including the area of Arlon, was handed over to Belgium. The remaining Luxembourgish speaking part re-established in 1839 its personal union with the Dutch king and continued its membership with the German Confederation.
Because its territorial losses regarding the western part of Luxembourg the German Confederation got a compensation. To appease Prussia, which had also lost access to the Meuse River after the Congress of Vienna, the territory of the in 1815 created province of Limburg was in 1839, according to the Treaty of London, split in a Belgian and Dutch part. The Dutch part (with exception of the strongholds Maastricht and Venlo) received the status Duchy of Limburg, and joined the German Confederation. It was after the collapse of the German Confederation in 1866 that Dutch Limburg became fully integrated into the Netherlands, but for a period after that (a part of) the Limburg's population maintained strong inclining feelings for Belgium or Prussia.
In game terms this historical facts should in my opinion means: The game provinces Maastricht and Luxembourg should be at the start of the GC in 1836 under control of Belgium until these is conquered or The Netherlands signed the Treaty of London. After Belgium cede Maastricht as a result of the Treaty of London, to the Netherlands the Maastricht province should receive the status Duchy of Limburg, being
a special vassal state of the Dutch Kingdom, unbreakable tied in the Dutch SOI were the Dutch economy receive from Maastricht the full 100% of its resources and products. Luxembourg should get its status as being a vassal nation of the Netherlands as it premature have at the start of the 1836 GC game.
Regarding Maasticht, the only two in game difference between the special vassal status and fully integrated into The Netherlands should by that (1) the Maastricht soldier pop's can not integrate into the Dutch army. And (2) after the Dutch signed the Tready of London, Maastricht is (due joining as the Duchy of Limburg the German Confideration) not only a core province for The Netherlands but for Prussia too. It is historical correct that Prussia consider Maastricht as one of its core provinces until Prussia accept
The Second Tready of Londen, in real history signed in 1867. The special vassal status of Maastricht remains until it is fully integrated into The Netherlands as a normal Dutch province as the regular consequence of the Dutch signing of the 2nd Treaty of London. In real history a period of war threat between The Netherlands and Prussia existed after Bismarck demanded Dutch Limburg's entry into the
North German Confederation after the collapse of the German Confederation in 1866.
See also:
The Duchy of Limburg between 1839-1866