prepare instantly for war.
Three days later, after the French and English ambassadors, as well as
Prince Maurice and Count Lewis William, had been duly consulted,
comparative calm was restored, and a decisive answer was unanimously
voted by the States-General. The proposition of the commissioners was
simply declared to be in direct violation of the sovereignty and freedom
of the country, and it was announced that, if it should be persisted in,
the whole negotiation might be considered as broken off. A formal answer
to the royal propositions would be communicated likewise to the envoys of
foreign powers, in order that the royal commissioners might be placed
completely in the wrong.

On the 25th August an elaborate response was accordingly delivered in
writing by the States' commissioners to those of the archdukes and king,
it being at the same time declared by Barneveld and his colleagues that
their functions were ended, and that this document, emanating from the
States-General, was a sovereign resolution, not a diplomatic note.

The contents of this paper may be inferred from all that has been
previously narrated. The republic knew its own mind, and had always
expressed itself with distinctness. The Spanish Government having at last
been brought to disclose its intentions, there was an end to the
negotiations for peace. The rupture was formally announced.

ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

Night brings counsel
This obstinate little republic
Triple marriages between the respective nurseries
Usual expedient by which bad legislation on one side countered

CHAPTER LI. 1608

Designs of Henry IV.--New marriage project between France and Spain
Formal proposition of negotiating for a truce between the States and
Spain--Exertions of Prince Maurice to counteract the designs of
Barneveld--Strife between the two parties in the republic--Animosity
of the people against Barneveld--Return of the Spanish
commissioners--Further trifling--Dismissal of the commissioners--
Close of the negotiations--Accidental discovery of the secret
instructions of the archdukes to the commissioners--Opposing
factions in the republic--Oration of President Jeannin before the
States-General--Comparison between the Dutch and Swiss republics--
Calumnies against the Advocate--Ambassador Lambert in France--
Henry's letter to Prince Maurice--Reconciliation of Maurice and
Barneveld--Agreement