History of the United Netherlands, 1586 part 1 | Page 6

Cape
Verd Islands for the homeward-bound Spanish treasure fleet from
America, with orders, if they missed it, to proceed to the West Indies;
so that, said Leicester, "the King of Spain will have enough to do
between these men and Drake." All parties had united in conferring a
generous amount of power upon the Earl, who was, in truth,
stadholder-general, under grant from the States--and both Leicester and
the Provinces themselves were eager and earnest for the war. In war
alone lay the salvation of England and Holland. Peace was an
impossibility. It seemed to the most experienced statesmen of both
countries even an absurdity. It may well be imagined, therefore, that the
idea of an underhand negotiation by Elizabeth would cause a frenzy in
the Netherlands. In Leicester's opinion, nothing short of a general
massacre of the English would be the probable consequence. "No
doubt," said he, "the very way it is to put us all to the sword here. For
mine own part it would be happiest for me, though I wish and trust to
lose my life in better sort."
Champagny, however, was giving out mysterious hints that the King of
Spain could have peace with England when he wished for it. Sir
Thomas Cecil, son of Lord Burghley, on whose countenance the States
especially relied, was returning on sick-leave from his government of
the Brill, and this sudden departure of so eminent a personage, joined
with the public disavowal of the recent transaction between Leicester
and the Provinces, was producing a general and most sickening
apprehension as to the Queen's good faith. The Earl did not fail to urge
these matters most warmly on the consideration of the English council,
setting forth that the States were stanch for the war, but that they would
be beforehand with her if she attempted by underhand means to
compass a peace. "If these men once smell any such matter," wrote

Leicester to Burghley, "be you sure they will soon come before you, to
the utter overthrow of her Majesty and state for ever."
The Earl was suspecting the "false boys," by whom he was surrounded,
although it was impossible for him to perceive, as we have been
enabled to do, the wide-spread and intricate meshes by which he was
enveloped. "Your Papists in England," said he, "have sent over word to
some in this company, that all that they ever hoped for is come to pass;
that my Lord of Leicester shall be called away in greatest indignation
with her Majesty, and to confirm this of Champagny, I have myself
seen a letter that her Majesty is in hand with a secret peace. God forbid!
for if it be so, her Majesty, her realm, and we, are all undone."
The feeling in the Provinces was still sincerely loyal towards England.
"These men," said Leicester, "yet honour and most dearly love her
Majesty, and hardly, I know, will be brought to believe ill of her any
way." Nevertheless these rumours, to the discredit of her good faith,
were doing infinite harm; while the Earl, although keeping his eyes and
ears wide open, was anxious not to compromise himself any further
with his sovereign, by appearing himself to suspect her of duplicity.
"Good, my Lord," he besought Burghley, "do not let her Majesty know
of this concerning Champagny as coming from me, for she will think it
is done for my own cause, which, by the Lord God, it is not, but even
on the necessity of the case for her own safety, and the realm, and us all.
Good my Lord, as you will do any good in the matter, let not her
Majesty understand any piece of it to come from me."
The States-General, on the 25th March, N.S., addressed a respectful
letter to the Queen, in reply to her vehement chidings. They expressed
their deep regret that her Majesty should be so offended with the
election of the Earl of Leicester as absolute governor.
They confessed that she had just cause of displeasure, but hoped that
when she should be informed of the whole matter she would rest better
satisfied with their proceedings. They stated that the authority was the
same which had been previously bestowed upon governors-general;
observing that by the word "absolute," which had been used in
designation of that authority, nothing more had been intended than to
give to the Earl full power to execute his commission, while the
sovereignty of the country was reserved to the people. This commission,
they said, could not be without danger revoked. And therefore they

most humbly besought her Majesty to approve what had been done, and
to remember its conformity with her own advice to them, that a
multitude of heads, whereby confusion in the government is bred,
should be