The Revolt of The Netherlands, book 3 | Page 6

latter, "had exaggerated the matter; it is
impossible that so formidable an armament could have been prepared
so secretly and, so rapidly. It was but a band of a few outcasts and
desperadoes, instigated by two or three enthusiasts, nothing more. All
will be quiet after a few heads have been struck off." The regent
determined to await the opinion of the council of state, which was
shortly to assemble; in the meanwhile, however, she was not inactive.
The fortifications in the most important places were inspected and the
necessary repairs speedily executed; her ambassadors at foreign courts
received orders to redouble their vigilance; expresses were sent off to
Spain. At the same time she caused the report to be revived of the near
advent of the king, and in her external deportment put on a show of that
imperturbable firmness which awaits attack without intending easily to
yield to it. At the end of March (four whole months consequently from
the framing of the covenant), the whole state council assembled in
Brussels. There were present the Prince of Orange, the Duke of Arschot,
Counts Egmont, Bergen, Megen, Aremberg, Horn, Hosstraten,
Barlaimont, and others; the Barons Montigny and Hachicourt, all the
knights of the Golden Fleece, with the President Viglius, State
Counsellor Bruxelles, and the other assessors of the privy council.
Several letters were produced which gave a clearer insight into the
nature and objects of the conspiracy. The extremity to which the regent
was reduced gave the disaffected a power which on the present
occasion they did not neglect to use. Venting their long suppressed
indignation, they indulged in bitter complaints against the court and
against the government. "But lately," said the Prince of Orange, "the
king sent forty thousand gold florins to the Queen of Scotland to
support her in her undertakings against England, and he allows his
Netherlands to be burdened with debt. Not to mention the
unseasonableness of this subsidy and its fruitless expenditure, why
should he bring upon us the resentment of a queen, who is both so

important to us as a friend and as an enemy so much to be dreaded?"
The prince did not even refrain on the present occasion from glancing
at the concealed hatred which the king was suspected of cherishing
against the family of Nassau and against him in particular. "It is well
known," he said, "that he has plotted with the hereditary enemies of my
house to take away my life, and that he waits with impatience only for
a suitable opportunity." His example opened the lips of Count Horn
also, and of many others besides, who with passionate vehemence
descanted on their own merits and the ingratitude of the king. With
difficulty did the regent succeed in silencing the tumult and in recalling
attention to the proper subject of the debate. The question was whether
the confederates, of whom it was now known that they intended to
appear at court with a petition, should be admitted or not? The Duke of
Arschot, Counts Aremberg, Megen, and Barlaimont gave their negative
to the proposition. "What need of five hundred persons," said the latter,
"to deliver a small memorial? This paradox of humility and defiance
implies no good. Let them send to us one respectable man from among
their number without pomp, without assumption, and so submit their
application to us. Otherwise, shut the gates upon them, or if some insist
on their admission let them be closely watched, and let the first act of
insolence which any one of them shall be guilty of be punished with
death." In this advice concurred Count Mansfeld, whose own son was
among the conspirators; he had even threatened to disinherit his son if
he did not quickly abandon the league.
Counts Megen, also, and Aremberg hesitated to receive the petition; the
Prince of Orange, however, Counts Egmont, Horn, Hogstraten, and
others voted emphatically for it. "The confederates," they declared,
"were known to them as men of integrity and honor; a great part of
them were connected with themselves by friendship and relationship,
and they dared vouch for their behavior. Every subject was allowed to
petition; a right which was enjoyed by the meanest individual in the
state could not without injustice be denied to so respectable a body of
men." It was therefore resolved by a majority of votes to admit the
confederates on the condition that they should appear unarmed and
conduct themselves temperately. The squabbles of the members of
council had occupied the greater part of the sitting, so that it was
necessary to adjourn the discussion to the following day. In order that

the principal matter in debate might not again be lost sight of in useless
complaints the regent at once hastened to the point: "Brederode, we are
informed,"