The Rise of the Dutch Republic, 1579-80 | Page 2

the shade of a peace negotiation," while meantime Parma
threw two bridges over the Meuse, above and below the city, and then
invested the place so closely that all communication was absolutely
suspended. Letters could pass to and fro only at extreme peril to the
messengers, and all possibility of reinforcing the city at the moment
was cut off.
While this eventful siege was proceeding, the negotiations with the
Walloons were ripening. The siege and the conferences went hand in
hand. Besides the secret arrangements already described for the
separation of the Walloon provinces, there had been much earnest and
eloquent remonstrance on the part of the states-general and of
Orange--many solemn embassies and public appeals. As usual, the
Pacification of Ghent was the two-sided shield which hung between the
parties to cover or to justify the blows which each dealt at the other.
There is no doubt as to the real opinion entertained concerning that
famous treaty by the royal party. "Through the peace of Ghent," said
Saint Vaast, "all our woes have been brought upon us." La Motte
informed Parma that it was necessary to pretend a respect for the
Pacification, however, on account of its popularity, but that it was well
understood by the leaders of the Walloon movement, that the intention
was to restore the system of Charles the Fifth. Parma signified his
consent to make use of that treaty as a basis, "provided always it were
interpreted healthily, and not dislocated by cavillations and sinister
interpolations, as had been done by the Prince of Orange." The
Malcontent generals of the Walloon troops were inexpressibly anxious
lest the cause of religion should be endangered; but the arguments by
which Parma convinced those military casuists as to the compatibility
of the Ghent peace with sound doctrine have already been exhibited.
The influence of the reconciled nobles was brought to bear with fatal
effect upon the states of Artois, Hainault, and of a portion of French
Flanders. The Gallic element in their blood, and an intense attachment
to the Roman ceremonial, which distinguished the Walloon population
from their Batavian brethren, were used successfully by the wily Parma
to destroy the unity of the revolted Netherlands. Moreover, the King
offered good terms. The monarch, feeling safe on the religious point,
was willing to make liberal promises upon the political questions. In

truth, the great grievance of which the Walloons complained was the
insolence and intolerable outrages of the foreign soldiers. This, they
said, had alone made them malcontent. It was; therefore, obviously the
cue of Parma to promise the immediate departure of the troops. This
could be done the more easily, as he had no intention of keeping the
promise.
Meantime the efforts of Orange, and of the states-general, where his
influence was still paramount, were unceasing to counteract the policy
of Parma. A deputation was appointed by the generality to visit the
estates of the Walloon provinces. Another was sent by the authorities of
Brussels. The Marquis of Havre, with several colleagues on behalf of
the states-general, waited upon the Viscount of Ghent, by whom they
were received with extreme insolence. He glared upon them, without
moving, as they were admitted to his presence; "looking like a dead
man, from whom the soul had entirely departed." Recovering
afterwards from this stony trance of indignation, he demanded a sight
of their instructions. This they courteously refused, as they were
accredited not to him, but to the states of Artois. At this he fell into a
violent passion, and threatened them with signal chastisement for
daring to come thither with so treasonable a purpose. In short,
according to their own expression; he treated them "as if they had been
rogues and vagabonds." The Marquis of Havre, high-born though he
was, had been sufficiently used to such conduct. The man who had
successively served and betrayed every party, who had been the
obsequious friend and the avowed enemy of Don John within the same
fortnight, and who had been able to swallow and inwardly digest many
an insult from that fiery warrior, was even fain to brook the insolence
of Robert Melun.
The papers which the deputation had brought were finally laid before
the states of Artois, and received replies as prompt and bitter as the
addresses were earnest and eloquent. The Walloons, when summoned
to hold to that aegis of national unity, the Ghent peace, replied that it
was not they, but the heretic portion of the states-general, who were for
dashing it to the ground. The Ghent treaty was never intended to impair
the supremacy of the Catholic religion, said those provinces, which
were already on the point of separating for ever from the rest. The
Ghent treaty was intended expressly to destroy the inquisition and the

placards, answered the national-party.