Two copies of the signatures procured in each province were ordered, of which one was to be deposited in its archives, and the other forwarded to Brussels.

In a short time, every province, with the single exception of Luxemburg, had loaded the document with signatures.

This was a great step in advance.

The Ghent Pacification, which was in the nature of a treaty between the Prince and the estates of Holland and Zealand on the one side, and a certain number of provinces on the other, had only been signed by the envoys of the contracting parties.

Though received with deserved and universal acclamation, it had not the authority of a popular document.