As soon as all had entered the senate room, Brederode advanced, made a low obeisance, and spoke a brief speech.  He said that he had come thither with his colleagues to present a humble petition to her Highness.  He alluded to the reports which had been rife, that they had contemplated tumult, sedition, foreign conspiracies, and, what was more abominable than all, a change of sovereign.  He denounced such statements as calumnies, begged the Duchess to name the men who had thus aspersed an honorable and loyal company, and called upon her to inflict exemplary punishment upon the slanderers.  With these prefatory remarks he presented the petition.  The famous document was then read aloud.—­Its tone was sufficiently loyal, particularly in the preamble, which was filled with protestations of devotion to both King and Duchess.  After this conventional introduction, however, the petitioners proceeded to state, very plainly, that the recent resolutions of his Majesty, with regard to the edict and the inquisition, were likely to produce a general rebellion.  They had hoped, they said, that a movement would be made by the seigniors or by the estates, to remedy the evil by striking at its cause, but they had waited in vain.  The danger, on the other hand, was augmenting every day, universal sedition was at the gate, and they had therefore felt obliged to delay no longer, but come forward the first and do their duty.  They professed to do this with more freedom, because the danger touched them very nearly.  They were the most exposed to the calamities which usually spring from civil commotions, for their, houses and lands situate in the open fields, were exposed to the pillage of all the world.  Moreover there was not one of them, whatever his condition, who was not liable at any moment to be executed under the edicts, at the false complaint of the first man who wished to obtain his estate, and who chose to denounce him to the inquisitor, at whose mercy were the lives and property of all.  They therefore begged the Duchess Regent to despatch an envoy on their behalf, who should humbly implore his Majesty to abolish the edicts.  In the mean time they requested her Highness to order a general surcease of the inquisition, and of all executions, until the King’s further pleasure was made known, and until new ordinances, made by his Majesty with advice and consent of the states-general duly assembled, should be established.  The petition terminated as it had commenced, with expressions of extreme respect and devoted loyalty.

The agitation of Duchess Margaret increased very perceptibly during the reading of the paper.  When it was finished, she remained for a few minutes quite silent, with tears rolling down her cheeks.  As soon as she could overcome her excitement, she uttered a few words to the effect that she would advise with her councillors and give the petitioners such answer as should be found suitable.  The confederates then passed out from the council chamber into the grand hall; each individual, as he took his departure, advancing towards the Duchess and making what was called the “caracole,” in token of reverence.  There was thus ample time to contemplate the whole company; and to count the numbers of the deputation.