CHAPTER XVI

TO THE SYNOD OF DORT AND THE EXECUTION OF BARNEVELDT

A.D. 1600—­1619

Spinola proposes to invade the United Provinces—­Successfully opposed by Prince Maurice—­The Dutch defeated at Sea—­Desperate Conduct of Admiral Klagoon—­Great naval Victory of the Dutch, and Death of their Admiral Heemskirk—­Overtures of the Archdukes for Peace—­How received in Holland—­Prudent Conduct of Barneveldt—­Negotiations opened at The Hague—­John de Neyen, Ambassador for the Archdukes—­Armistice for Eight Months—­Neyen attempts to bribe D’Aarsens, the Greffier of the States-General—­His Conduct disclaimed by Verreiken, Counsellor to the Archdukes—­Great Prejudices in Holland against King James I. and the English, and Partiality toward France—­Rupture of the Negotiations—­They are renewed—­Truce for Twelve Years signed at Antwerp—­Gives great Satisfaction in the Netherlands—­Important Attitude of the United Provinces—­Conduct of the Belgian Provinces—­Disputes relative to Cleves and Juviers—­Prince Maurice and Spinola remove their Armies into the contested states—­Intestine Troubles in the United Provinces—­Assassination of Henry IV. of France—­His Character—­Change in Prince Maurice’s Character and Conduct—­He is strenuously opposed by Barneveldt—­Religious Disputes—­King James enters the Lists of Controversy—­Barneveldt and Maurice take Opposite sides—­The cautionary Towns released from the Possession of England—­Consequences of this Event—­Calumnies against Barneveldt—­Ambitious Designs of Prince Maurice—­He is baffled by Barneveldt—­The Republic assists its Allies with Money and Ships—­Its great naval Power—­Outrages of some Dutch Sailors in Ireland—­Unresented by King James—­His Anger at the manufacturing Prosperity of the United Provinces—­Excesses of the Gomarists—­The Magistrates call out the National Militia—­Violent Conduct of Prince Maurice—­Uncompromising Steadiness of Barneveldt—­Calumnies against him—­Maurice succeeds to the Title of Prince of Orange, and Acts with increasing Violence—­Arrest of Barneveldt and his Friends—­Synod of Dort—­Its Consequences—­Trial, Condemnation, and Execution of Barneveldt—­Grotius and Hoogerbeets sentenced to perpetual Imprisonmemt—­Ledenburg commits Suicide.

CHAPTER XVII

TO THE DEATH OF PRINCE MAURICE

A.D. 1619—­1625

The Parties Of Arminianism quite subdued—­Emigrations—­Grotius resolves to attempt an Escape from Prison—­Succeeds in his Attempt—­He repairs to Paris, and publishes his “Apology”—­Expiration of the Twelve Years’ Truce—­Death of Philip iii.  And of the Archduke Albert—­War in Germany—­Campaign between Prince Maurice and Spinola—­Conspiracy against the Life of Prince Maurice—­Its Failure—­Fifteen of the Conspirators executed—­Great Unpopularity of Maurice—­Death of Maurice.