History of the United Netherlands, 1604-05

History of the United
Netherlands, 1604-05

The Project Gutenberg EBook History of The United Netherlands,
1604-05
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Title: History of the United Netherlands, 1604-05
Author: John Lothrop Motley
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4877] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 15,
2002]

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Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY
UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1604-05 ***

This eBook was produced by David Widger

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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. 77
History of the United Netherlands, 1604-1605
CHAPTER XLIII
.
Policy of the King of France--Operations of Prince Maurice--Plans for
a Flemish Campaign--Passage into Flanders--Fort St. Catharine-- Flight
of its garrison, and occupation by Maurice--Surrender of Ysendyke and
Aardenburg--Skirmish at Stamper's Hook--Siege of Sluys by Prince
Maurice--Ineffectual attempt of Spinola to relieve the town--Its
capitulation and restoration to the States--Death of Lewis Gunther of
Nassau--Operations at Ostend--Surrender of the garrison-- Desolation
of the scene after its evacuation.
The States-General had begun to forget the severe lesson taught them in
the Nieuport campaign. Being determined to hold Ostend, they became
very impatient, in the early part of the present year, that Maurice should

once more invade Flanders, at the head of a relieving army, and drive
the archdukes from before the town.
They were much influenced in this policy by the persistent advice of
the French king. To the importunities of their envoy at Paris, Henry had,
during the past eighteen months, replied by urging the States to invade
Flanders and seize its ports. When they had thus something to place as
pledges in his hands, he might accede to their clamour and declare war
against Spain. But he scarcely concealed his intention, in such case, to
annex both the obedient and the United Netherlands to his own
dominions. Meantime, before getting into the saddle, he chose to be
guaranteed against loss. "Assure my lords the States that I love them,"
he said, "and shall always do my best for them." His affection for the
territory of my lords was even warmer than the sentiments he
entertained for themselves. Moreover, he grudged the preliminary
expenses which would be necessary even should he ultimately make
himself sovereign of the whole country. Rosny assured the envoy that
he was mistaken in expecting a declaration of war against Spain. "Not
that he does not think it useful and necessary," said the minister, "but
he wishes to have war and peace both at once--peace because he wishes
to make no retrenchments in his pleasures of women, dogs, and
buildings, and so war would be very inopportune. In three months he
would be obliged to turn tail for want of means (to use his own words),
although I would furnish him funds enough, if he would make the use
of them that he ought."
The Queen of England, who, with all her parsimony and false pretences,
never doubted in her heart that perpetual hostility to Spain was the
chief bulwark of her throne, and that the republic was fighting her
battles as well as its own, had been ready to make such a lively war in
conjunction with France as would drive the Spaniard out of all the
Netherlands. But Henry was not to be moved. "I know that if I should
take her at her word," said he, "she would at once begin to screw me for
money. She has one object, I another." Villeroy had said plainly to
Aerssens, in regard to the prevalent system