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THE LIFE AND DEATH of JOHN OF BARNEVELD, ADVOCATE OF HOLLAND
By John Lothrop Motley, D.C.L., LL.D.
MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Volume 89
Life and Death of John of Barneveld, v4, 1610-12
Interviews between the Dutch Commissioners and King James—Prince Maurice takes command of the Troops—Surrender of Julich—Matthias crowned King of Bohemia—Death of Rudolph—James's Dream of a Spanish Marriage—Appointment of Vorstius in place of Arminius at Leyden—Interview between Maurice and Winwood—Increased Bitterness between Barneveld and Maurice—Projects of Spanish Marriages in France.
It is refreshing to escape from the atmosphere of self-seeking faction,feverish intrigue, and murderous stratagem in which unhappy France wasstifling into the colder and calmer regions of Netherland policy.
No sooner had the tidings of Henry's murder reached the States thanthey felt that an immense responsibility had fallen on their shoulders.It is to the eternal honour of the Republic, of Barneveld, who directedher councils, and of Prince Maurice, who wielded her sword, that she wasequal to the task imposed upon her.
There were open bets on the Exchange in Antwerp, after the death ofHenry, that Maurice would likewise be killed within the month. Nothingseemed more probable, and the States implored the Stadholder to takespecial heed to himself. But this was a kind of caution which the Princewas not wont to regard. Nor was there faltering, distraction, cowardice,or parsimony in Republican councils.
We have heard the strong words of encouragement and sympathy addressed bythe Advocate's instructions to the Queen-Regent and the leading statesmenof France. We have seen their effects in that lingering sentiment ofshame which prevented the Spanish stipendiaries who governed the kingdomfrom throwing down the mask as cynically as they were at first inclinedto do.
Not less manful and statesmanlike was the language held to the King ofGreat Britain and his ministers by the Advocate's directions. The newsof the assassination reached the special ambassadors in London at threeo'clock of Monday, the 17th May. James returned to Whitehall from ahunting expedition on the 21st, and immediately signified his intentionof celebrating the occasion by inviting the high commissioners of theStates to a banquet and festival at the palace.
Meantime they were instructed by Barneveld to communicate the results ofthe special embassy of the States to the late king according to thereport just delivered to the Assembly. Thus James was to be informed ofthe common resolution and engagement then taken to support the cause ofthe princes. He was now seriously and explicitly to be summoned toassist the princes not only with the stipulated 4000 men, but with a muchgreater force, proportionate to the demands for the security and welfareof Christendom, endangered by this extraordinary event. He was assuredthat the States would exert themselves to the full measure of theirability to fortify and maintain the high interests of France, of thepossessory princes, and of Christendom, so that the h