“I wish,” he answered, simply, “the full execution of the Ghent Pacification.  If you regard the general welfare of the land, it is well, and I thank you.  If not, ’tis idle to make propositions, for I regard my country’s profit, not my own.”

Afterwards, the Prince simply repeated his demand that the Ghent treaty should be executed; adding, that after the states-general should have been assembled, it would be time to propose the necessary articles for mutual security.

Hereupon Doctor Leoninus observed that the assembly of the states-general could hardly be without danger.  He alluded to the vast number of persons who would thus be convoked, to the great discrepancy of humors which would thus be manifested.  Many men would be present neither discreet nor experienced.  He therefore somewhat coolly suggested that it might be better to obviate the necessity of holding any general assembly at all.  An amicable conference, for the sake of settling doubtful questions, would render the convocation superfluous, and save the country from the dangers by which the step would be attended.  The Doctor concluded by referring to the recent assemblies of France, the only result of which had been fresh dissensions.  It thus appeared that the proposition on the part of Don John meant something very different from its apparent signification.  To advise with the Prince as to the proper method of assembling the estates really meant, to advise with him as to the best means of preventing any such assembly.  Here, certainly, was a good reason for the preference expressed by the deputies, in favor of amicable discussions over formal protocols.  It might not be so easy in a written document to make the assembly, and the prevention of the assembly, appear exactly the same thing.

The Prince replied that there was a wide difference between the condition of France and of the Netherlands.  Here, was one will and one intention.  There, were many factions, many partialities, many family intrigues.  Since it had been agreed by the Ghent treaty that certain points should be provisionally maintained and others settled by a speedy convocation of the states-general, the plainest course was to maintain the provisional points, and to summon the states-general at once.  This certainly was concise and logical.  It is doubtful, however, whether he were really as anxious for the assembly-general as he appeared to be.  Both parties were fencing at each other, without any real intention of carrying their points, for neither wished the convocation, while both affected an eagerness for that event.  The conversation proceeded.

“At least,” said an envoy, “you can tell beforehand in what you are aggrieved, and what you have to propose.”

“We are aggrieved in nothing, and we have nothing to propose,” answered the Prince, “so long as you maintain the Pacification.  We demand no other pledge, and are willing to refer everything afterwards to the assembly.”