“It may be that he has held such language,” said Jeannin, “in order to accomplish his object in Spain.  But ’tis all dreaming and moonshine, which one should laugh at rather than treat seriously.  These people here mean to be sovereign for ever and will make no peace except on that condition.  This grandeur and vanity have entered so deeply into their brains that they will be torn into little pieces rather than give it up.”

Spinola, as acute a politician as he was a brilliant commander, at once demonstrated to his Government the impotence of such senile attempts.  No definite agreements could be made, he wrote, except by a general convention.  Before a treaty of peace, no permission would be given by the States to the public exercise of the Catholic religion, for fear of giving offence to what were called the Protestant powers.  Unless they saw the proper ratification they would enter into no negotiations at all.  When the negotiations had produced a treaty, the Catholic worship might be demanded.  Thus peace might be made, and the desired conditions secured, or all parties would remain as they had been.

The Spanish Government replied by sending a double form of ratification.  It would not have been the Spanish Government, had one simple, straightforward document been sent.  Plenty of letters came at the same time, triumphantly refuting the objections and arguments of the States-General.  To sign “Yo el Rey” had been the custom of the king’s ancestors in dealing with foreign powers.  Thus had Philip ii. signed the treaty of Vervins.  Thus had the reigning king confirmed the treaty of Vervins.  Thus had he signed the recent treaty with England as well as other conventions with other potentates.  If the French envoys at the Hague said the contrary they erred from ignorance or from baser reasons.  The provinces could not be declared free until Catholic worship was conceded.  The donations must be mutual and simultaneous and the States would gain a much more stable and diuturnal liberty, founded not upon a simple declaration, but lawfully granted them as a compensation for a just and pious work performed.  To this end the king sent ratification number one in which his sentiments were fully expressed.  If, however, the provinces were resolved not to defer the declaration so ardently desired and to refuse all negotiation until they had received it, then ratification number two, therewith sent and drawn up in the required form, might be used.  It was, however, to be exhibited but not delivered.  The provinces would then see the clemency with which they were treated by the king, and all the world might know that it was not his fault if peace were not made.

Thus the politicians of Madrid; speaking in the name of their august sovereign and signing “Yo el Rey” for him without troubling him even to look at the documents.