History of the United Netherlands, 1585 part 4 | Page 6

enemy who menaced a mortal blow, he was,
both by nature and policy, disposed to deal frankly with those he called
his friends.
"Monsieur de Gryze repaireth presently," he wrote to Davison, "to try if
he can induce the States to send their deputies hither, furnished with
more ample instructions than they had to treat with the French King,
considering that her Majesty carryeth another manner of princely
disposition than that sovereign. Meanwhile, for that she doubteth lest in
this hard estate of their affairs, and the distrust they have conceived to

be relieved from hence, they should from despair throw themselves into
the course of Spain, her pleasure therefore is--though by Burnham I
sent you directions to put them in comfort of relief, only as of
yourself--that you shall now, as it were, in her name, if you see cause
sufficient, assure some of the aptest instruments that you shall make
choice of for that purpose, that her Majesty, rather than that they should
perish, will be content to take them under her protection."
He added that it was indispensable for the States, upon their part, to
offer "such sufficient cautions and assurances as she might in reason
demand."
Matters were so well managed that by the 22nd April the
States-General addressed a letter to the Queen, in which they notified
her, that the desired deputation was on the point of setting forth.
"Recognizing," they said, "that there is no prince or potentate to whom
they are more obliged than they are to your Majesty, we are about to
request you very humbly to accept the sovereignty of these Provinces,
and the people of the same for your very humble vassals and subjects."
They added that, as the necessity of the case was great, they hoped the
Queen would send, so soon as might be, a force of four or five
thousand men for the purpose of relieving the siege of Antwerp.
A similar letter was despatched by the same courier to the Earl of
Leicester.
On the 1st of May, Ortel had audience of the Queen, to deliver the
letters from the States-General. He found that despatches, very
encouraging and agreeable in their tenor, had also just arrived from
Davison. The Queen was in good humour. She took the letter from
Ortel, read it attentively, and paused a good while. Then she assured
him that her good affection towards the Provinces was not in the least
changed, and that she thanked the States for the confidence in her that
they were manifesting. "It is unnecessary," said the Queen, "for me to
repeat over and over again sentiments which I have so plainly declared.
You are to assure the States that they shall never be disappointed in the
trust that they have reposed in my good intentions. Let them deal with
me sincerely, and without holding open any back-door. Not that I am
seeking the sovereignty of the Provinces, for I wish only to maintain
their privileges and ancient liberties, and to defend them in this regard
against all the world. Let them ripely consider, then, with what fidelity

I am espousing their cause, and how, without fear of any one, I am
arousing most powerful enemies."
Ortel had afterwards an interview with Leicester, in which the Earl
assured him that her Majesty had not in the least changed in her
sentiments towards the Provinces. "For myself," said he, "I am ready, if
her Majesty choose to make use of me, to go over there in person, and
to place life, property, and all the assistance I can gain from my friends,
upon the issue. Yea, with so good a heart, that I pray the Lord may be
good to me, only so far as I serve faithfully in this cause." He added a
warning that the deputies to be appointed should come with absolute
powers, in order that her Majesty's bountiful intentions might not be
retarded by their own fault.
Ortel then visited Walsingham at his house, Barn-Elms, where he was
confined by illness. Sir Francis assured the envoy that he would use
every effort, by letter to her Majesty and by verbal instructions to his
son-in-law, Sir Philip Sidney, to further the success of the negotiation,
and that he deeply regretted his enforced absence from the court on so
important an occasion.
Matters were proceeding most favourably, and the all-important point
of sending an auxiliary force of Englishmen to the relief of
Antwerp--before it should be too late, and in advance of the final
conclusion of the treaty between the countries-had been nearly
conceded. Just at that moment, however, "as ill-luck would have it,"
said Ortel, "came a letter from Gilpin. I don't think he meant it in
malice, but the effect was most pernicious. He sent the information