The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 24: 1576-77Motley, John Lothrop
History
The Rise of the Dutch Republic — Volume 24: 1576-77
Motley, John Lothrop
Netherlands -- Church history; Netherlands -- History -- Eighty Years' War, 1568-1648
Next day, William informed the envoy that, having prayed to God for
assistance, he was more than ever convinced of his obligation to lay the
whole matter before the states, whose servant he was. He added, that he
could not forget the deaths of Egmont and Horn, nor the manner in which
the promise made to the confederate nobles by the Duchess of Parma, had
been visited, nor the conduct of the French monarch towards Admiral
Coligny. He spoke of information which he had received from all
quarters, from Spain, France, and Italy, that there was a determination
to make war upon him and upon the states of Holland and Zealand. He
added that they were taking their measures in consequence, and that they
were well aware that a Papal nuncio had arrived in the Netherlands, to
intrigue against them. In the evening, the Prince complained that the
estates had been so precipitate in concluding their arrangement with Don
John. He mentioned several articles in the treaty which were calculated
to excite distrust; dwelling particularly on the engagement entered into
by the estates to maintain the Catholic religion. This article he
declared to be in direct contravention to the Ghent treaty, by which this
point was left to the decision of a future assembly of the estates-
general. Leoninus essayed, as well as he could, to dispute these
positions. In their last interview, the Prince persisted in his
intention of laying the whole matter before the states of Holland
and Zealand. Not to do so, he said, would be to expose himself to ruin
on one side, and on the other, to the indignation of those who might
suspect him of betraying them. The envoy begged to be informed if any
hope could be entertained of a future arrangement. Orange replied that
he had no expectation of any, but advised Doctor Leoninus to be present
at Dort when the estates should assemble.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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