Egmont soon afterwards wrote to Philip, declining to visit Spain expressly on account of the Cardinal.  He added, that he was ready to undertake the journey, should the King command his presence for any other object.  The same decision was formally communicated to the Regent by those Chevaliers of the Fleece who had approved the 11th of March letter —­Montigny; Berghen, Meghem, Mansfeld, Ligne, Hoogstraaten, Orange, Egmont, and Horn.  The Prince of Orange, speaking in the name of all, informed her that they did not consider it consistent with their reputation, nor with the interest of his Majesty, that any one of them should make so long and troublesome a journey, in order to accuse the Cardinal.  For any other purpose, they all held themselves ready to go to Spain at once.  The Duchess expressed her regret at this resolution.  The Prince replied by affirming that, in all their proceedings, they had been governed, not by hatred of Granvelle but by a sense of duty to his Majesty.  It was now, he added, for the King to pursue what course it pleased him.

Four days after this interview with the Regent, Orange, Egmont, and Horn addressed a second letter to the King.  In this communication they stated that they had consulted with all the gentlemen with whose approbation their first letter had been written.  As to the journey of one of them to Spain,—­as suggested, they pronounced it very dangerous for any seignior to absent himself, in the condition of affairs which then existed.  It was not a sufficient cause to go thither on account of Granvelle.  They disclaimed any intention of making themselves parties to a process against the Cardinal.  They had thought that their simple, brief announcement would have sufficed to induce his Majesty to employ that personage in other places, where his talents would be more fruitful.  As to “aggrieving the Cardinal without cause,” there was no question of aggrieving him at all, but of relieving him of an office which could not remain in his hands without disaster.  As to “no particular cause having been mentioned,” they said the omission was from no lack of many such.  They had charged none, however, because, from their past services and their fidelity to his Majesty, they expected to be believed on their honor, without further witnesses or evidence.  They had no intention of making themselves accusers.  They had purposely abstained from specifications.  If his Majesty should proceed to ampler information, causes enough would be found.  It was better, however, that they should be furnished by others than by themselves.  His Majesty would then find that the public and general complaint was not without adequate motives.  They renewed their prayer to be excused from serving in the council of state, in order that they might not be afterwards inculpated for the faults of others.  Feeling that the controversy between themselves and the Cardinal de Granvelle in the state council produced no fruit for his Majesty’s affairs, they preferred to yield to him.  In conclusion, they begged the King to excuse the simplicity of their letters, the rather that they were not by nature great orators, but more accustomed to do well than to speak well, which was also more becoming to persons of their quality.