He would not and could not maintain the treaty, because the Spanish troops were in that instrument denounced as rebels, because he would not consent to the release of Count Van Buren--and on account of various other reasons not then specified.

Hereupon ensued a fierce debate, and all day long the altercation lasted, without a result being reached.

At ten o'clock in the evening, the deputies having previously retired for a brief interval, returned with a protest that they were not to be held responsible for the termination of the proceedings, and that they washed their hands of the bloodshed which might follow the rupture.
Upon reading this document; Don John fell into a blazing passion.

He vehemently denounced the deputies as traitors.

He swore that men who came to him thus prepared with ready-made protests in their pockets, were rebels from the commencement, and had never intended any agreement with him.