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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
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 300,000dollars a month could be furnished, the war might be continued, but thatotherwise it would be better to treat upon the basis of 'uti possidetis,'and according to the terms proposed by the States-General. He hadfurther intimated his opinion that, instead of waiting for the king'sconsent, it more comported with the king's dignity for the archdukes toenter into negotiations, to make a preliminary and brief armistice withthe 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 signedin behalf of the king—had plaintively observed that among evils thevulgar rule was to submit to the least. Although, therefore, to grant tothe Netherland rebels not only peace and liberty, but to concede to themwhatever they had obtained by violence and the most abominable outrages,was the worst possible example to all princes; yet as the enormous sumnecessary for carrying on the war was not to be had, even by attemptingto scrape it together from every corner of the earth, he agreed with theopinion of the archdukes that it was better to put an end to this eternaland exhausting war by peace or truce, even under severe conditions. Thatthe business had thus far proceeded without consulting him, was publiclyknown, and he expressed approval of the present movements towards a peaceor a long truce, assuring Spinola that such a result would be as gratefulto him as if the war had been brought to a successful issue.
When the Marquis sent formal notice of the armistice to Spain there weremany complaints at court. Men said that the measure was beneath theking's dignity, and contrary to his interests. It was a cessation ofarms under iniquitous conditions, accorded to a people formerly subjectand now rebellious. Such a truce was more fatal than any conflict, thanany amount of slaughter. During this long and dreadful war, t