not broken off.  On February 1, 1608, the archdukes’ envoys, the two leading members being Ambrosio de Spinola and the president of the Privy Council, Ricardot, arrived in Holland.  They were met at Ryswyck by Maurice and William Lewis in person, and with much ceremony and splendour a solemn entry was made into the Hague, the procession with the brilliant retinues forming a memorable spectacle, as it made its way through the crowds which lined the roads.  The negotiations were conducted in the Binnenhof.  The Special Commissioners to represent the States-General were William Lewis of Nassau, Walraven, lord of Brederode, and a deputy from each of the provinces under the leadership of Oldenbarneveldt.  Envoys from France, England, Denmark, the Palatinate and Brandenburg were present, took part in the discussions, and acted as friendly mediators.

The question of treating the United Provinces “as free States” was soon settled.  The archdukes, who were aiming at the conclusion of a truce in which to recuperate and not of a definitive peace, showed an unexpected complaisance in granting a concession which they regarded as only temporary.  Then came the really serious questions as to freedom of trade in the Indies and the liberty of Catholic worship.  Of these the first was of most immediate interest, and showed irreconcilable differences between the two parties.  The Spaniards would never consent to any trespassing in the closed area, which they regarded as their own peculiar preserve.  The Dutch traders and sailors were fired with the spirit of adventure and of profit, and their successful expeditions had aroused an enthusiasm for further effort in the distant seas, which had hardened into a fixed resolve not to agree to any peace or truce shutting them out from the Indian trade.  For months the subject was discussed and re-discussed without result.  Some of the foreign delegates left.  The armistice was prolonged, in order that Father Neyen might go to Madrid for further instructions.  It was found, however, that the King of Spain would yield nothing.  The negotiations came to a standstill, and both sides began to make preparations for a renewal of the war.  President Jeannin on behalf of the French king, by his skilful mediation, in which he was supported by his English colleague, saved the situation.  He proposed as a compromise a twelve years’ truce, pointing out that whatever terms were arranged would only be binding for that short period.  He managed to bring about a personal interview between Oldenbarneveldt and Maurice, who had respectively headed the peace and war parties in the provinces; and henceforth both consented to work together for this proposal of a limited truce, during which the trade to the Indies should be open and the religious question be untouched.  The assent of the States-General and of the several Provincial Estates was obtained.  The two most interested, Holland and Zeeland, were won over, Holland by the arguments and persuasions of the Advocate, Zeeland,