The French government had persistently refused to assist the States and possessory princes in the recovery of this stronghold.  The Queen-Regent was afraid of offending Spain, although her government had induced the citizens of the place to make the treaty now violated by that country.  The Dutch ambassador had been instructed categorically to enquire whether their Majesties meant to assist Aachen and the princes if attacked by the Archdukes.  “No,” said Villeroy; “we are not interested in Aachen, ’tis too far off.  Let them look for assistance to those who advised their mutiny.”

To the Ambassador’s remonstrance that France was both interested in and pledged to them, the Secretary of State replied, “We made the treaty through compassion and love, but we shall not put on harness for Aachen.  Don’t think it.  You, the States and the United Provinces, may assist them if you like.”

The Envoy then reminded the Minister that the States-General had always agreed to go forward evenly in this business with the Kings of Great Britain and France and the united princes, the matter being of equal importance to all.  They had given no further pledge than this to the Union.

It was plain, however, that France was determined not to lift a finger at that moment.  The Duke of Bouillon and those acting with him had tried hard to induce their Majesties “to write seriously to the Archduke in order at least to intimidate him by stiff talk,” but it was hopeless.  They thought it was not a time then to quarrel with their neighbour and give offence to Spain.

So the stiff talk was omitted, and the Archduke was not intimidated.  The man who had so often intimidated him was in his grave, and his widow was occupied in marrying her son to the Infanta.  “These are the first-fruits,” said Aerssens, “of the new negotiations with Spain.”

Both the Spanish king and the Emperor were resolved to hold Wesel to the very last.  Until the States should retire from all their positions on the bare word of the Archduke, that the Spanish forces once withdrawn would never return, the Protestants of those two cities must suffer.  There was no help for it.  To save them would be to abandon all.  For no true statesman could be so ingenuous as thus to throw all the cards on the table for the Spanish and Imperial cabinet to shuffle them at pleasure for a new deal.  The Duke of Neuburg, now Catholic and especially protected by Spain, had become, instead of a pretender with more or less law on his side, a mere standard-bearer and agent of the Great Catholic League in the debateable land.  He was to be supported at all hazard by the Spanish forces, according to the express command of Philip’s government, especially now that his two brothers with the countenance of the States were disputing his right to his hereditary dominions in Germany.

The Archduke was sullen enough at what he called the weak-mindedness of France.  Notwithstanding that by express orders from Spain he had sent 5000 troops under command of Juan de Rivas to the Queen’s assistance just before the peace of Sainte-Menehould, he could not induce her government to take the firm part which the English king did in browbeating the Hollanders.