The Life and Death of John of Barneveld, Advocate of Holland, 1618 | Page 8

reinstated in his
former right of sovereignty over all the Netherlands, he entirely
justified the conduct of Count Gondemar.
It may well be conceived that, as the years passed by, as the period of
the Truce grew nearer and the religious disputes became every day
more envenomed, the government at Madrid should look on the
tumultuous scene with saturnine satisfaction. There was little doubt
now, they thought, that the Provinces, sick of their rebellion and that
fancied independence which had led them into a whirlpool of political
and religious misery, and convinced of their incompetence to govern
themselves, would be only too happy to seek the forgiving arms of their
lawful sovereign. Above all they must have learned that their great
heresy had carried its chastisement with it, that within something they
called a Reformed Church other heresies had been developed which
demanded condign punishment at the hands of that new Church, and
that there could be neither rest for them in this world nor salvation in
the next except by returning to the bosom of their ancient mother.
Now was the time, so it was thought, to throw forward a strong force of
Jesuits as skirmishers into the Provinces by whom the way would be
opened for the reconquest of the whole territory.
"By the advices coming to us continually from thence," wrote the King

of Spain to Archduke Albert, "we understand that the disquiets and
differences continue in Holland on matters relating to their sects, and
that from this has resulted the conversion of many to the Catholic
religion. So it has been taken into consideration whether it would not
be expedient that some fathers of the company of Jesuits be sent
secretly from Rome to Holland, who should negotiate concerning the
conversion of that people. Before taking a resolution, I have thought
best to give an account of this matter to your Highness. I should be glad
if you would inform me what priests are going to Holland, what fruits
they yield, and what can be done for the continuance of their labours.
Please to advise me very particularly together with any suggestions that
may occur to you in this matter."
The Archduke, who was nearer the scene, was not so sure that the old
religion was making such progress as his royal nephew or those who
spoke in his name believed. At any rate, if it were not rapidly gaining
ground, it would be neither for want of discord among the Protestants
nor for lack of Jesuits to profit by it.
"I do not understand," said he in reply, "nor is it generally considered
certain that from the differences and disturbances that the Hollanders
are having among themselves there has resulted the conversion of any
of them to our blessed Catholic faith, because their disputes are of
certain points concerning which there are different opinions within their
sect. There has always been a goodly number of priests here, the
greater part of whom belong to the Company. They are very diligent
and fervent, and the Catholics derive much comfort from them. To send
more of them would do more harm than good. It might be found out,
and then they would perhaps be driven out of Holland or even chastised.
So it seems better to leave things as they are for the present."
The Spanish government was not discouraged however, but was
pricking up its ears anew at strange communications it was receiving
from the very bosom of the council of state in the Netherlands. This
body, as will be remembered, had been much opposed to Barneveld and
to the policy pursued under his leadership by the States of Holland.
Some of its members were secretly Catholic and still more secretly
disposed to effect a revolution in the government, the object of which
should be to fuse the United Provinces with the obedient Netherlands in
a single independent monarchy to be placed under the sceptre of the

son of Philip III.
A paper containing the outlines of this scheme had been sent to Spain,
and the King at once forwarded it in cipher to the Archduke at Brussels
for his opinion and co-operation.
"You will see," he said, "the plan which a certain person zealous for the
public good has proposed for reducing the Netherlanders to my
obedience. . . . . You will please advise with Count Frederic van den
Berg and let me know with much particularity and profound secrecy
what is thought, what is occurring, and the form in which this matter
ought to be negotiated, and the proper way to make it march."
Unquestionably the paper was of grave importance. It informed the
King of Spain that some principal personages in the United Netherlands,
members of the council of state, were of opinion that