Many demands had been made upon the States for assistance to Savoy,—­as if they and they alone were to bear the brunt and pay the expense of all the initiatory campaigns against Spain.

“We are much importuned,” said the Advocate, “to do something for the help of Savoy . . . .  We wish and we implore that France, Great Britain, the German princes, the Venetians, and the Swiss would join us in some scheme of effective assistance.  But we have enough on our shoulders at this moment.”

They had hardly money enough in their exchequer, admirably ordered as it was, for enterprises so far from home when great Spanish armies were permanently encamped on their border.

Partly to humour King James and partly from love of adventure, Count John of Nassau had gone to Savoy at the head of a small well disciplined body of troops furnished by the States.

“Make use of this piece of news,” said Barneveld, communicating the fact to Langerac, “opportunely and with discretion.  Besides the wish to give some contentment to the King of Great Britain, we consider it inconsistent with good conscience and reasons of state to refuse help to a great prince against oppression by those who mean to give the law to everybody; especially as we have been so earnestly and frequently importuned to do so.”

And still the Spaniards and the League kept their hold on the duchies, while their forces, their munitions, their accumulation of funds waged hourly.  The war of chicane was even more deadly than an actual campaign, for when there was no positive fighting the whole world seemed against the Republic.  And the chicane was colossal.

“We cannot understand,” said Barneveld, “why M. de Prevaulx is coming here on special mission.  When a treaty is signed and sealed, it only remains to execute it.  The Archduke says he is himself not known in the treaty, and that nothing can be demanded of him in relation to it.  This he says in his letters to the King of Great Britain.  M. de Refuge knows best whether or not Marquis Spinola, Ottavio Visconti, Chancellor Pecquius, and others, were employed in the negotiation by the Archduke.  We know very well here that the whole business was conducted by them.  The Archduke is willing to give a clean and sincere promise not to re-occupy, and asks the same from the States.  If he were empowered by the Emperor, the King of Spain, and the League, and acted in such quality, something might be done for the tranquillity of Germany.  But he promises for himself only, and Emperor, King, or League, may send any general to do what they like to-morrow.  What is to prevent it?

“And so My Lords the States, the Elector of Brandenburg, and others interested are cheated and made fools of.  And we are as much troubled by these tricks as by armed force.  Yes, more; for we know that great enterprises are preparing this year against Germany and ourselves, that all Neuburg’s troops have been disbanded and re-enlisted under the Spanish commanders, and that forces are levying not only in Italy and Spain, but in Germany, Lorraine, Luxemburg, and Upper Burgundy, and that Wesel has been stuffed full of gunpowder and other munitions, and very strongly fortified.”