This work was never answered.  Some years after its publication[144] a report being spread that a private person had written against the Apology without being employed by the States-General, Grotius desired his brother to enquire into it.  It is probable this news was without foundation:  at least we know nothing of that work.  The malevolence of those who were then in place made no change in Grotius’s affection to his country:  in the height of the new persecution he wrote to his brother that he would still labour to promote the interest of Holland; and that if the United Provinces were desirous of entering into a closer union with France, he would assist them with all his credit:  for the public interest was not to be sacrificed to the resentment of injuries received from a few[145].

FOOTNOTES: 

[142] Ep. 46, p. 768.

[143] Ep. 102. p. 784.

[144] Dec. 20, 1630.

[145] Ep. 50. p. 759, 769.

V. Though the Prince of Orange had taken care to leave none in place but such as were entirely devoted to him, and consequently declared enemies of the Remonstrants, Grotius still preserved many faithful friends who ardently desired his return.  He had scarce been a month at Paris when they wrote to him that there were some hopes of his being recalled:  but he rightly judged that they were without foundation.  He even writes to his brother-in-law, Reigersberg, that he looked on that rumour as an artifice of his enemies, who sought by it to engage him to silence, which they intended to take advantage of to propagate their calumnies.  He was not duped by it, since, as we have just mentioned, it did not hinder him from writing his Defence, and publishing it to the world.  Among those who preserved a friendship for him, there was one whom it would seem he had no reason to count upon:  this was Prince Frederic Henry of Nassau, brother to the Prince of Orange, and who after the death of Maurice was himself Stadtholder.  They maintained a correspondence by letters even at the time when the people of Holland were most exasperated against Grotius; and by a Letter from that Prince, which is still remaining, we may judge that Grotius did him good service at Paris; and that Frederic Henry was greatly disposed to serve him.  This Letter deserves to be copied entire:  it is dated August 4, 1622.

“Sir, I thank you for the good offices you have done me with some of the King’s Council, and beg of you to continue them both with these, and with others, as you shall think proper; assuring you that I shall acknowledge your friendship on all occasions where I can serve you; being bound to it by the friendship which you have ever shewn to me.  I have asked your brother-in-law Mr. Reigersberg to write to you particularly about an affair in which I should be glad to have your opinion:  you will oblige me much by sending it, as you have already done by the memorial