The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1574-84 | Page 4

wished them to exercise. On the 7th of
September, 1573, it had been formally proposed by the general council
to confer a regular and unlimited dictatorship upon him, but in the
course of a year from that time, the cities had begun to feel their
increasing importance. Moreover, while growing more ambitious, they
became less liberal.
The Prince, dissatisfied with the conduct of the cities, brought the
whole subject before an assembly of the estates of Holland on the 20th
October, 1574. He stated the inconveniences produced by the
anomalous condition of the government. He complained that the
common people had often fallen into the error that the money raised for
public purposes had been levied for his benefit only, and that they had,
therefore, been less willing to contribute to the taxes. As the only
remedy for these evils, he tendered his resignation of all the powers
with which he was clothed, so that the estates might then take the
government, which they could exercise without conflict or control. For
himself, he had never desired power, except as a means of being useful
to his country, and he did not offer his resignation from unwillingness
to stand by the cause, but from a hearty desire to save it from disputes
among its friends. He was ready, now as ever, to shed the last drop of
his blood to maintain the freedom of the land.
This straightforward language produced an instantaneous effect. The
estates knew that they were dealing with a man whose life was
governed by lofty principles, and they felt that they were in danger of
losing him through their own selfishness and low ambition. They were
embarrassed, for they did not like to, relinquish the authority which
they had begun to relish, nor to accept the resignation of a man who
was indispensable. They felt that to give up William of Orange at that
time was to accept the Spanish yoke for ever. At an assembly held at
Delft on the 12th of November, 1574, they accordingly requested him
"to continue in his blessed government, with the council established
near him," and for this end, they formally offered to him, "under the
name of Governor or Regent, "absolute power, authority, and sovereign
command. In particular, they conferred on him the entire control of all
the ships of war, hitherto reserved to the different cities, together with
the right to dispose of all prizes and all monies raised for the support of
fleets. They gave him also unlimited power over the domains; they

agreed that all magistracies, militia bands, guilds, and communities,
should make solemn oath to contribute taxes and to receive garrisons,
exactly as the Prince, with his council, should ordain; but they made it
a condition that the estates should be convened and consulted upon
requests, impositions, and upon all changes in the governing body. It
was also stipulated that the judges of the supreme court and of the
exchequer, with other high officers, should be appointed by and with
the consent of the estates.
The Prince expressed himself willing to accept the government upon
these terms. He, however, demanded an allowance of forty-five
thousand florins monthly for the army expenses and other current
outlays. Here, however, the estates refused their consent. In a
mercantile spirit, unworthy the occasion and the man with whom they
were dealing, they endeavoured to chaffer where they should have been
only too willing to comply, and they attempted to reduce the reasonable
demand of the Prince to thirty thousand florins. The Prince, who had
poured out his own wealth so lavishly in the cause--who, together with
his brothers, particularly the generous John of Nassau, had contributed
all which they could raise by mortgage, sales of jewellery and furniture,
and by extensive loans, subjecting themselves to constant
embarrassment, and almost to penury, felt himself outraged by the
paltriness of this conduct. He expressed his indignation, and denounced
the niggardliness of the estates in the strongest language, and declared
that he would rather leave the country for ever, with the maintenance of
his own honor, than accept the government upon such disgraceful terms.
The estates, disturbed by his vehemence, and struck with its justice,
instantly, and without further deliberation, consented to his demand.
They granted the forty-five thousand florins monthly, and the Prince
assumed the government, thus remodelled.
During the autumn and early winter of the year 1574, the Emperor
Maximilian had been actively exerting himself to bring about a
pacification of the Netherlands. He was certainly sincere, for an
excellent reason. "The Emperor maintains," said Saint Goard, French
ambassador at Madrid, "that if peace is not made with the Beggars, the
Empire will depart from the house of Austria, and that such is the
determination of the electors." On the other hand,