1638, "As to the place of Pensionary of our
native town, the more I think of it, the happier I imagine you in
having got rid of it, and in preferring honour to profit: for in these
times it would have been impossible to have preserved that place and
your honour."

The East-India Company chose him for their Advocate in 1639. Grotius
compliments his brother on it March 26, that year. "I always loved that
Company, he says: I look upon it as the support of the Republic; and if
I could be at present of any use to it, I would most gladly embrace the
opportunity."

Grotius's writings concerning Antichrist were approved of by William and
their Father. However, as there was reason to apprehend that the
printing of these pieces might increase the number and animosity of his
enemies, Grotius proposed to his Brother not to take upon him their
publication, especially as he might easily find persons that were far
from a factious spirit, who would willingly undertake it: but William
Grotius ran the hazard of this publication, without being frightened at
the consequences.

Grotius had always discovered great impatience when denied the tides of
honour due to the Ambassadors of crowned heads. He imagined it to be the
consequence of a plot of his enemies to depreciate him. William did not
approve of his brother's great heat on this subject: and thought there
was reason to presume that it was owing rather to inattention, than a
premeditated design. Grotius, whose mildness of temper was greatly
altered by his late disputes with the Reformed Ministers, as Henry de
Villeneuve observes in a letter to the Abbe Barcellini, was much
dissatisfied with his brother's manner of excusing those of whom he
thought he had reason to complain; and wrote to him very sharply on this
subject, December 12, 1643. "I imagine, says he, I see and hear you
pleading at the Bar: you find reasons to excuse my enemies for things
for which no body here excuses them: you blame me for things for which
no body here blames me, nor will any others except your Dutchmen. It is
fit that I should support my dignity: the thing is done on purpose; and
the Swedes, whom it concerns, would be offended with me if I acted
otherwise. I would therefore ask of you, for the future to address the
letters you receive for me to my wife; and I shall afterwards see what
is to be done."

This small altercation did not interrupt the friendship of the two
brothers, nor their correspondence by