Count Lewis William, had been duly consulted, comparative calm was restored, and a decisive answer was unanimously voted by the States-General.  The proposition of the commissioners was simply declared to be in direct violation of the sovereignty and freedom of the country, and it was announced that, if it should be persisted in, the whole negotiation might be considered as broken off.  A formal answer to the royal propositions would be communicated likewise to the envoys of foreign powers, in order that the royal commissioners might be placed completely in the wrong.

On the 25th August an elaborate response was accordingly delivered in writing by the States’ commissioners to those of the archdukes and king, it being at the same time declared by Barneveld and his colleagues that their functions were ended, and that this document, emanating from the States-General, was a sovereign resolution, not a diplomatic note.

The contents of this paper may be inferred from all that has been previously narrated.  The republic knew its own mind, and had always expressed itself with distinctness.  The Spanish Government having at last been brought to disclose its intentions, there was an end to the negotiations for peace.  The rupture was formally announced.

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HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS

From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year’s Truce—­1609

By John Lothrop Motley

History United Netherlands, Volume 82, 1608

CHAPTER LI.

Designs of Henry iv.—­New marriage project between France and Spain Formal proposition of negotiating for a truce between the States and Spain—­Exertions of Prince Maurice to counteract the designs of Barneveld—­Strife between the two parties in the republic—­Animosity of the people against Barneveld—­Return of the Spanish commissioners—­Further trifling—­Dismissal of the commissioners—­ Close of the negotiations—­Accidental discovery of the secret instructions of the archdukes to the commissioners—­Opposing factions in the republic—­Oration of President Jeannin before the States-General—­Comparison between the Dutch and Swiss republics—­ Calumnies against the Advocate—­Ambassador Lambert in France—­ Henry’s letter to Prince Maurice—­Reconciliation of Maurice and Barneveld—­Agreement of the States to accept a truce.

President Jeannin had long been prepared for this result.  It was also by no means distasteful to him.  A peace would not have accorded with the ulterior and secretly cherished schemes of his sovereign, and during his visit to Paris, he had succeeded in persuading Henry that a truce would be far the most advantageous solution of the question, so far as his interests were concerned.