CHAPTER XLIX.

Peace deliberations in Spain—­Unpopularity of the project—­ Disaffection of the courtiers—­Complaints against Spinola—­ Conference of the Catholic party—­Position of Henry IV. towards the republic—­State of France Further peace negotiations—­Desire of King James of England for the restoration of the States to Spain—­Arrival of the French commissioners President Jeannin before the States- General—­Dangers of a truce with Spain—­Dutch legation to England—­ Arrival of Lewis Verreyken at the Hague with Philip’s ratification—­ Rejection of the Spanish treaty—­Withdrawal of the Dutch fleet from the Peninsula—­The peace project denounced by the party of Prince Maurice—­Opposition of Maurice to the plans of Barneveld—­Amended ratification presented to the States-General—­Discussion of the conditions—­Determination to conclude a peace—­Indian trade—­ Exploits of Admiral Matelieff in the Malay peninsula—­He lays siege to Malacca—­Victory over the Spanish fleet—­Endeavour to open a trade with China—­Return of Matelieff to Holland.

The Marquis Spinola had informed the Spanish Government that if 300,000 dollars a month could be furnished, the war might be continued, but that otherwise it would be better to treat upon the basis of ‘uti possidetis,’ and according to the terms proposed by the States-General.  He had further intimated his opinion that, instead of waiting for the king’s consent, it more comported with the king’s dignity for the archdukes to enter into negotiations, to make a preliminary and brief armistice with the enemy, and then to solicit the royal approval of what had been done.

In reply, the king—­that is to say the man who thought, wrote, and signed in behalf of the king—­had plaintively observed that among evils the vulgar rule was to submit to the least.  Although, therefore, to grant to the Netherland rebels not only peace and liberty, but to concede to them whatever they had obtained by violence and the most abominable outrages, was the worst possible example to all princes; yet as the enormous sum necessary for carrying on the war was not to be had, even by attempting to scrape it together from every corner of the earth, he agreed with the opinion of the archdukes that it was better to put an end to this eternal and exhausting war by peace or truce, even under severe conditions.  That the business had thus far proceeded without consulting him, was publicly known, and he expressed approval of the present movements towards a peace or a long truce, assuring Spinola that such a result would be as grateful to him as if the war had been brought to a successful issue.