History of the United Netherlands, 1585 part 4 | Page 4

what result was to be expected in
France, has been doing his best to be beforehand with you in the field:
add, moreover, that this French negotiation has given other princes a
bad taste in their mouths. This is the case with her Majesty. The Queen
is, not without reason, annoyed that the States have not only despised
her friendly and good-hearted offers, but have all along been

endeavouring to embark her in this war, for the defence of the
Provinces, which would have cost her several millions, without
offering to her the slightest security. On the contrary, others, enemies
of the religion, who are not to be depended upon--who had never
deserved well of the States or assisted them in their need, as she has
done--have received this large offer of sovereignty without any reserve
whatever."
Ortel (not suffering himself to be disconcerted at this unjust and
somewhat insidious attack).--"That which has been transacted with
France was not done except with the express approbation and full
foreknowledge of her Majesty, so far back as the lifetime of his
Excellency (William of Orange), of high and laudable memory. Things
had already gone so far, and the Provinces had agreed so entirely
together, as to make it inexpedient to bring about a separation in policy.
It was our duty to hold together, and, once for all, thoroughly to
understand what the King of France, after such manifold presentations
through Monsieur Des Pruneaulx and others, and in various letters of
his own, finally intended to do. At the same time, notwithstanding these
negotiations, we had always an especial eye upon her Majesty. We felt
a hopeful confidence that she would never desert us, leaving us without
aid or counsel, but would consider that these affairs do not concern the
Provinces alone or even especially, but are just as deeply important to
her and to all other princes of the religion."
After this dialogue, with much more conversation of a similar character,
the Secretary and the envoy set themselves frankly and manfully to
work. It was agreed between them that every effort should be made
with the leading members of the Council to induce the Queen "in this
terrible conjuncture, not to forsake the Provinces, but to extend good
counsel and prompt assistance to them in their present
embarrassments."
There was, however, so much business in Parliament just then, that it
was impossible to obtain immediately the desired interviews.
On the 20th, Ortel and De Gryze had another interview with
Walsingham at the Palace of Greenwich. The Secretary expressed the
warmest and most sincere affection for the Provinces, and advised that
one of the two envoys should set forth at once for home in order to
declare to the States, without loss of time, her Majesty's good

inclination to assume the protection of the land, together with the
maintenance of the reformed religion and the ancient privileges. Not
that she was seeking her own profit, or wished to obtain that
sovereignty which had just been offered to another of the contrary
religion, but in order to make manifest her affectionate solicitude to
preserve the Protestant faith and to support her old allies and
neighbours. Nevertheless, as she could not assume this protectorate
without embarking in a dangerous war with the King of Spain, in which
she would not only be obliged to spend the blood of her subjects, but
also at least two millions of gold, there was the more reason that the
States should give her certain cities as security. Those cities would be
held by certain of her gentlemen, nominated thereto, of quality, credit,
and religion, at the head of good, true, and well-paid garrisons, who
should make oath never to surrender them to the King of Spain or to
any one else without consent of the States. The Provinces were also
reciprocally to bind themselves by oath to make no treaty with the King,
without the advice and approval of her Majesty. It was likewise
thoroughly to be understood that such cautionary towns should be
restored to the States so soon as payment should be made of all moneys
advanced during the war.
Next day the envoys had an interview with the Earl of Leicester, whom
they found as amicably disposed towards their cause as Secretary
Walsingham had been. "Her Majesty," said the Earl, "is excessively
indignant with the King of France, that he should so long have abused
the Provinces, and at last have dismissed their deputies so
contemptuously. Nevertheless," he continued, "'tis all your own fault to
have placed your hopes so entirely upon him as to entirely forget other
princes, and more especially her Majesty. Notwithstanding all that has
passed, however, I find her fully determined to maintain the cause of
the Provinces. For my own part, I am