History of the United Netherlands, 1605-07

History of the United
Netherlands, 1605-07

The Project Gutenberg EBook History of The United Netherlands,
1605-07
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Title: History of the United Netherlands, 1605-07
Author: John Lothrop Motley
Release Date: January, 2004 [EBook #4878] [Yes, we are more than
one year ahead of schedule] [This file was first posted on April 15,
2002]

Edition: 10
Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY
UNITED NETHERLANDS, 1605-07 ***

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. 78
History of the United Netherlands, 1605-1607

CHAPTER XLV
.
Preparations for the campaign of 1606--Diminution of Maurice's
popularity--Quarrel between the pope and the Venetian republic--
Surprise of Sluys by Du Terrail--Dilatoriness of the republic's
operations--Movements of Spinola--Influence of the weather on the
military transactions of the year--Endeavours of Spinola to obtain
possession of the Waal and Yssel--Surrender of Lochem to Spinola--
Siege of Groll--Siege and loss of Rheinberg--Mutiny in the Catholic
army--Recovery of Lochem by Maurice--Attempted recovery of Groll--
Sudden appearance of the enemy--Withdrawal of the besieging army

Close of the campaign--End of the war of independence--Motives of
the Prince in his actions before Groll--Cruise of Admiral Haultain to
the coast of Spain and Portugal--His encounter with the war-- ships of
Fazardo--Courageous conduct of the vice-admiral--Deaths of Justus
Lipsius, Hohenlo, and Count John of Nassau.
After the close of the campaign of 1605 Spinola had gone once more to
Spain. On his passage through Paris he had again been received with
distinguished favour by that warm ally of the Dutch republic, Henry
IV., and on being questioned by that monarch as to his plans for the
next campaign had replied that he intended once more to cross the
Rhine, and invade Friesland. Henry, convinced that the Genoese would
of course not tell him the truth on such an occasion, wrote accordingly
to the States- General that they might feel safe as to their eastern
frontier. Whatever else might happen, Friesland and the regions
adjacent would be safe next year from attack. The immediate future
was to show whether the subtle Italian had not compassed as neat a
deception by telling the truth as coarser politicians could do by
falsehood.
Spinola found the royal finances in most dismal condition. Three
hundred thousand dollars a month were the least estimate of the
necessary expenses for carrying on the Netherland war, a sum which
could not possibly be spared by Lerma, Uceda, the Marquis of the
Seven Churches, and other financiers then industriously occupied in
draining dry the exchequer for their own uses. Once more the general
aided his sovereign with purse and credit, as well as with his sword.
Once more the exchange at Genoa was glutted with the acceptances of
Marquis Spinola. Here at least was a man of a nature not quite so
depraved as that of the parasites bred out of the corruption of a noble
but dying commonwealth, and doubtless it was with gentle contempt
that the great favourite and his friends looked at the military and
financial enthusiasm of the volunteer. It was so much more sagacious
to make a princely fortune than to sacrifice one already inherited, in the
service of one's country.
Spinola being thus ready not only to fight but to help to pay for the
fighting, found his plans of campaigns received with great benignity by
the king and his ministers. Meantime there was much delay. The
enormous labours thus devolved upon one pair of shoulders by the

do-nothing king and a mayor