[The Rise of the Dutch Republic<br> Volume III.(of III) 1574-84 by John Lothrop Motley]@TWC D-Link book
The Rise of the Dutch Republic
Volume III.(of III) 1574-84

CHAPTER V
92/97

All prisoners, and particularly the Comte de Bossu, should be released without ransom.

All estates and other property not already alienated should be restored, all confiscations since 1566 being declared null and void.

The Countess Palatine, widow of Brederode, and Count de Buren, son of the Prince of Orange, were expressly named in this provision.

Prelates and ecclesiastical persons; having property in Holland and Zealand, should be reinstated, if possible; but in case of alienation, which was likely to be generally the case; there should be reasonable compensation.
It was to be decided by the states-general whether the provinces should discharge the debts incurred by the Prince of Orange in his two campaigns.

Provinces and cities should not have the benefit of this union until they had signed the treaty, but they should be permitted to sign it when they chose.
This memorable document was subscribed at Ghent, on the 8th of November, by Saint Aldegonde, with eight other commissioners appointed by the Prince of Orange and the estates of Holland on the one side, and by Elbertus Leoninus and other deputies appointed by Brabant, Flanders, Artois, Hainault, Valenciennes, Lille, Douay, Orchies, Namur, Tournay, Utrecht, and Mechlin on the other side.
The arrangement was a masterpiece of diplomacy on the part of the Prince, for it was as effectual a provision for the safety of the Reformed religion as could be expected under the circumstances.


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