to pieces, if there be not an equal obligation on all to tend to a common purpose.”  Union, close, fraternal, such as became provinces of a common origin and with similar laws, could alone nave them from their fate.  Union against a common tyrant to nave a common fatherland..  Union; by which differences of opinion should be tolerated, in order that a million of hearts should beat for a common purpose, a million hands work out, invincibly, a common salvation. “’Tis hardly necessary,” he said “to use many words in recommendation of union.  Disunion has been the cause of all our woes.  There is no remedy, no hope, save in the bonds of friendship.  Let all particular disagreements be left to the decision of the states-general, in order that with one heart and one will we may seek the disenthralment of the fatherland from the tyranny of strangers.”

The first step to a thorough union among all the provinces was the arrangement of a closer connection between the now isolated states of Holland and Zealand on the one side, and their fifteen sisters on the other.  The Prince professed the readiness of those states which he might be said to represent in his single person, to draw as closely as possible the bonds of fellowship.  It was almost superfluous for him to promise his own ready co-operation.  “Nothing remains to us,” said he, “but to discard all jealousy and distrust.  Let us, with a firm resolution and a common accord, liberate these lands from the stranger.  Hand to hand let us accomplish a just and general peace.  As for myself, I present to you, with very, good affection, my person and all which I possess, assuring you that I shall regard all my labors and pains in times which are past, well bestowed, if God now grant me grace to see the desired end.  That this end will be reached, if you hold fast your resolution and take to heart the means which God presents to you, I feel to be absolutely certain.”

Such were the tenor and the motives of the documents which he scattered—­ broadcast at this crisis.  They were addressed to the estates of nearly every province.  Those bodies were urgently implored to appoint deputies to a general congress, at which a close and formal union between Holland and Zealand with the other provinces might be effected.  That important measure secured, a general effort might, at the same time, be made to expel the Spaniard from the soil.  This done, the remaining matters could be disposed of by the assembly of the estates-general.  His eloquence and energy were not without effect.  In the course of the autumn, deputies were appointed from the greater number of the provinces, to confer with the representatives of Holland and Zealand, in a general congress.  The place appointed for the deliberations vas the city of Ghent.  Here, by the middle of October, a large number of delegates were already assembled.