History of the United Netherlands, 1607b

John Lothrop Motley
History of the United
Netherlands, 1607b

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Title: History of the United Netherlands, 1607(b)
Author: John Lothrop Motley
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4880] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 15,
2002]

Edition: 10
Language: English
Character set encoding: ASCII

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY
UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1607(b) ***

This eBook was produced by David Widger

[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of the
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HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS From the Death of
William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce--1609
By John Lothrop Motley

MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg
Edition, Vol. 80
History of the United Netherlands, 1607

CHAPTER XLIX
.
Peace deliberations in Spain--Unpopularity of the project-- Disaffection
of the courtiers--Complaints against Spinola-- Conference of the
Catholic party--Position of Henry IV. towards the republic--State of
France Further peace negotiations--Desire of King James of England
for the restoration of the States to Spain--Arrival of the French
commissioners President Jeannin before the States- General--Dangers
of a truce with Spain--Dutch legation to England-- Arrival of Lewis
Verreyken at the Hague with Philip's ratification-- Rejection of the
Spanish treaty--Withdrawal of the Dutch fleet from the Peninsula--The

peace project denounced by the party of Prince Maurice--Opposition of
Maurice to the plans of Barneveld--Amended ratification presented to
the States-General--Discussion of the conditions--Determination to
conclude a peace--Indian trade-- Exploits of Admiral Matelieff in the
Malay peninsula--He lays siege to Malacca--Victory over the Spanish
fleet--Endeavour to open a trade with China--Return of Matelieff to
Holland.
The Marquis Spinola had informed the Spanish Government that if
300,000 dollars a month could be furnished, the war might be
continued, but that otherwise it would be better to treat upon the basis
of 'uti possidetis,' and according to the terms proposed by the
States-General. He had further intimated his opinion that, instead of
waiting for the king's consent, it more comported with the king's
dignity for the archdukes to enter into negotiations, to make a
preliminary and brief armistice with the enemy, and then to solicit the
royal approval of what had been done.
In reply, the king--that is to say the man who thought, wrote, and
signed in behalf of the king--had plaintively observed that among evils
the vulgar rule was to submit to the least. Although, therefore, to grant
to the Netherland rebels not only peace and liberty, but to concede to
them whatever they had obtained by violence and the most abominable
outrages, was the worst possible example to all princes; yet as the
enormous sum necessary for carrying on the war was not to be had,
even by attempting to scrape it together from every corner of the earth,
he agreed with the opinion of the archdukes that it was better to put an
end to this eternal and exhausting war by peace or truce, even under
severe conditions. That the business had thus far proceeded without
consulting him, was publicly known, and he expressed approval of the
present movements towards a peace or a long truce, assuring Spinola
that such a result would be as grateful to him as if the war had been
brought to a successful issue.
When the Marquis sent formal notice of the armistice to Spain there
were many complaints at court. Men said that the measure was beneath
the king's dignity, and contrary to his interests. It was a cessation of
arms under iniquitous conditions, accorded to a people formerly subject
and now rebellious. Such a truce was more fatal than any conflict, than
any amount of slaughter. During this long and dreadful war, the king

had suffered no disaster so terrible
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