r
violence, and called in the prince of Orange and the Hollanders as their
protectors. A treaty, commonly called the Pacification of Ghent, was
formed by common agreement; and the removal of foreign troops, with
the restoration of their ancient liberties, was the object which the
provinces mutually stipulated to pursue. Don John of Austria, natural
brother to Philip, being appointed governor, found, on his arrival at
Luxembourg, that the states had so fortified themselves, and that the
Spanish troops were so divided by their situation, that there was no
possibility of resistance; and he agreed to the terms required of him.
The Spaniards evacuated the country; and these provinces seemed at last
to breathe a little from their calamities.

But it was not easy to settle entire peace, while the thirst of revenge
and dominion governed the king of Spain, and while the Flemings were so
strongly agitated with resentment of past, and fear of future injuries.
The ambition of Don John, who coveted this great theatre for his
military talents engaged him rather to inflame than appease the quarrel;
and as he found the states determined to impose very strict limitations
on his authority, he broke all articles, seized Namur, and procured the
recall of the Spanish army from Italy. This prince, endowed with a lofty
genius, and elated by the prosperous successes of his youth, had opened
his mind to vast undertakings; and looking much beyond the conquest of
the revolted provinces, had projected to espouse the queen of Scots,
and to acquire in her right the dominion of the British kingdoms.[*]
Elizabeth was aware of his intentions; and seeing now, from the union of
all the provinces, a fair prospect of their making a long and vigorous
defence against Spain, she no longer scrupled to embrace the protection
of their liberties, which seemed so intimately connected with her own
safety. After sending them a sum of money, about twenty thousand pounds,
for the immediate pay of their troops, she concluded a treaty with them;
in which she stipulated to assist them with five thousand foot and
a thousand horse, at the charge of the Flemings; and to lend them a
hundred thousand pounds, on receiving the bonds of some of the most
considerable towns of the Netherlands, for her repayment within the
year. It was further agreed, that the commander of the English army
should be admitted into the council of the states; and nothing be
determined concerning war o