and functionaries made their preparations for flight.  The envoys were assured by De la Marck and Treslong that no injury was intended to the citizens or to private property, but that the overthrow of Alva’s government was to be instantly accomplished.  Two hours were given to the magistrates in which to decide whether or not they would surrender the town and accept the authority of De la Marck as Admiral of the Prince of Orange.  They employed the two hours thus granted in making an ignominious escape.  Their example was followed by most of the townspeople.  When the invaders, at the expiration of the specified term, appeared under the walls of the city, they found a few inhabitants of the lower class gazing at them from above, but received no official communication from any source.

The whole rebel force was now divided into two parties, one of which under Treslong made an attack upon the southern gate, while the other commanded by the Admiral advanced upon the northern.  Treslong after a short struggle succeeded in forcing his entrance, and arrested, in doing so, the governor of the city, just taking his departure.  De la Marck and his men made a bonfire at the northern gate, and then battered down the half-burned portal with the end of an old mast.  Thus rudely and rapidly did the Netherland patriots conduct their first successful siege.  The two parties, not more perhaps than two hundred and fifty men in all, met before sunset in the centre of the city, and the foundation of the Dutch Republic was laid.  The weary spirit of freedom, so long a fugitive over earth and sea, had at last found a resting-place, which rude and even ribald hands had prepared.

The panic created by the first appearance of the fleet had been so extensive that hardly fifty citizens had remained in the town.  The rest had all escaped, with as much property as they could carry away.  The Admiral, in the name, of the Prince of Orange, as lawful stadholder of Philip, took formal possession of an almost deserted city.  No indignity was offered to the inhabitants of either sex, but as soon, as the conquerors were fairly established in the best houses of the place, the inclination to plunder the churches could no longer be restrained.  The altars and images were all destroyed, the rich furniture and gorgeous vestments appropriated to private use.  Adam van Hare appeared on his vessel’s deck attired in a magnificent high mass chasuble.  Treslong thenceforth used no drinking cups in his cabin save the golden chalices of the sacrament.  Unfortunately, their hatred to popery was not confined to such demonstrations.  Thirteen unfortunate monks and priests, who had been unable to effect their escape, were arrested and thrown into prison, from whence they were taken a few days later, by order of the ferocious Admiral, and executed under circumstances of great barbarity.