That these things were in the immediate future was as plain as that night would follow day, but the hour had not yet struck for the States to throw down the gauntlet.

Hardly two months before, the King, in his treaty with the princes at Hall, had excluded both the King of Great Britain and the States-General from participation in those arrangements, and it was grave matter for consideration, therefore, for the States whether they should allow such succour as they might choose to grant the princes to be included in the French contingent.  The opportunity for treating as a sovereign power with the princes and making friends with them was tempting, but it did not seem reasonable to the States that France should make use of them in this war without a treaty, and should derive great advantage from the alliance, but leave the expense to them.

Henry, on the other hand, forgetting, when it was convenient to him, all about the Princess of Conde, his hatred of Spain, and his resolution to crush the House of Austria, chose to consider the war as made simply for the love of the States-General and to secure them for ever from danger.

The ambassadors replied to the King’s invectives with great respect, and endeavoured to appease his anger.  They had sent a special despatch to their government, they said, in regard to all those matters, setting forth all the difficulties that had been raised, but had not wished to trouble his Majesty with premature discussions of them.  They did not doubt, however, that their High Mightinesses would so conduct this great affair as to leave the King no ground of complaint.

Henry then began to talk of the intelligence brought by de Bethune from the Hague, especially in regard to the sending of States’ troops to Dusseldorf and the supply of food for the French army.  He did not believe, he said, that the Archdukes would refuse him the passage with his forces through their territory, inasmuch as the States’ army would be on the way to meet him.  In case of any resistance, however, he declared his resolution to strike his blow and to cause people to talk of him.  He had sent his quartermaster-general to examine the passes, who had reported that it would be impossible to prevent his Majesty’s advance.  He was also distinctly informed that Marquis Spinola, keeping his places garrisoned, could not bring more than 8000 men into the field.  The Duke of Bouillon, however, was sending advices that his communications were liable to be cut off, and that for this purpose Spinola could set on foot about 16,000 infantry and 4000 horse.

If the passage should be allowed by the Archdukes, the King stated his intention of establishing magazines for his troops along the whole line of march through the Spanish Netherlands and neighbouring districts, and to establish and fortify himself everywhere in order to protect his supplies and cover his possible retreat.  He was still in doubt, he said, whether to demand the passage at once or to wait until he had began to move his army.  He was rather inclined to make the request instantly in order to gain time, being persuaded that he should receive no answer either of consent or refusal.