The year dragged on to its close.  The supineness of the Protestants deepened in direct proportion to the feverish increase of activity on the part of Austria and the League.  The mockery of negotiation in which nothing could be negotiated, the parade of conciliation when war of extermination was intended, continued on the part of Spain and Austria.  Barneveld was doing his best to settle all minor differences between the States and Great Britain, that these two bulwarks of Protestantism might stand firmly together against the rising tide.  He instructed the Ambassador to exhaust every pacific means of arrangement in regard to the Greenland fishery disputes, the dyed cloth question, and like causes of ill feeling.  He held it more than necessary, he said, that the inhabitants of the two countries should now be on the very best terms with each other.  Above all, he implored the King through the Ambassador to summon Parliament in order that the kingdom might be placed in position to face the gathering danger.

“I am amazed and distressed,” he said, “that the statesmen of England do not comprehend the perils with which their fellow religionists are everywhere threatened, especially in Germany and in these States.  To assist us with bare advice and sometimes with traducing our actions, while leaving us to bear alone the burthens, costs, and dangers, is not serviceable to us.”  Referring to the information and advice which he had sent to England and to France fifteen months before, he now gave assurance that the Prince of Neuburg and Spinola were now in such force, both foot and cavalry, with all necessary munitions, as to hold these most important territories as a perpetual “sedem bedli,” out of which to attack Germany at their pleasure and to cut off all possibility of aid from England and the States.  He informed the court of St. James that besides the forces of the Emperor and the House of Austria, the Duke of Bavaria and Spanish Italy, there were now several thousand horse and foot under the Bishop of Wurzburg, 8000 or 9000 under the Bishop-Elector of Mayence, and strong bodies of cavalry under Count Vaudemont in Lorraine, all mustering for the war.  The pretext seems merely to reduce Frankfurt to obedience, even as Donauworth had previously been used as a colour for vast designs.  The real purpose was to bring the Elector-Palatine and the whole Protestant party in Germany to submission.  “His Majesty,” said the Advocate, “has now a very great and good subject upon which to convoke Parliament and ask for a large grant.  This would be doubtless consented to if Parliament receives the assurance that the money thus accorded shall be applied to so wholesome a purpose.  You will do your best to further this great end.  We are waiting daily to hear if the Xanten negotiation is broken off or not.  I hope and I fear.  Meantime we bear as heavy burthens as if we were actually at war.”

He added once more the warning, which it would seem superfluous to repeat even to schoolboys in diplomacy, that this Xanten treaty, as proposed by the enemy, was a mere trap.