in which he warned his brother of the evil impression which the Netherland matters were making in Spain; and the affairs of Antwerp, from which city the Prince of Orange found it necessary at that moment to withdraw.—­With regard to his absence from Brussels, he stated that he had kept away from the Court because he was ruined.  He was deeply in debt, and so complete was his embarrassment, that he had been unable in Antwerp to raise 1000 crowns upon his property, even at an interest of one hundred per cent.  So far from being able to levy troops, he was hardly able to pay for his daily bread.  With regard to his transactions at Tournay, he had, throughout them all, conformed himself to the instructions of Madame de Parma.  As to the cry of “Vivent les gueux,” he should not have cared at that moment if the populace had cried ‘Vive Comte Horn’, for his thoughts were then occupied with more substantial matters.  He had gone thither under a special commission from the Duchess, and had acted under instructions daily received by her own hand.  He had, by her orders, effected a temporary compromise between the two religious parties, on the basis of the Duffel treaty.  He had permitted the public preaching to continue, but had not introduced it for the first time.  He had allowed temples to be built outside the gates, but it was by express command of Madame, as he could prove by her letters.  She had even reproved him before the council, because the work had not been accomplished with sufficient despatch.  With regard to his alleged threat, that he would oppose the King’s entrance with 15,000 men, he answered, with astonishing simplicity, that he did not remember making any such observation, but it was impossible for a man to retain in his mind all the nonsense which he might occasionally utter.  The honest Admiral thought that his poverty, already pleaded, was so notorious that the charge was not worthy of a serious answer.  He also treated the observation which he was charged with having made, relative to his marching to Spain with 50,000 men to rescue Montigny as “frivolous and ridiculous.”  He had no power to raise a hundred men.  Moreover he had rejoiced at Montigny’s detention, for he had thought that to be out of the Netherlands was to be out of harm’s way.  On the whole, he claimed that in all those transactions of his which might be considered anti-Catholic, he had been governed entirely by the instructions of the Regent, and by her Accord with the nobles.  That Accord, as she had repeatedly stated to him, was to be kept sacred until his Majesty, by advice of the states-general, should otherwise ordain.

Finally, he observed, that law was not his vocation.  He was no pettifogger, but he had endeavored loyally to conform himself to the broad and general principles of honor, justice, and truth.  In a very few and simple words, he begged his judges to have regard to his deeds, and to a life of loyal service.  If he had erred occasionally in those times of tumult, his intentions had ever been faithful and honorable.