An important conference took place, the details of which have been somewhat minutely preserved.

The Prince of Orange, accompanied by Saint Aldegonde and four other councillors, encountered the seven champions from Brussels in a long debate, which was more like a passage of arms or a trial of skill than a friendly colloquy with a pacific result in prospect; for it must be remembered that the Prince of Orange did not mean peace.

He had devised the Pacification of Ghent as a union of the other provinces with Holland and Zealand, against Philip.

He did not intend that it should be converted into a union of the other provinces with Philip, against Holland and Zealand.
Meetkercke was the first to speak.

He said that the Governor had despatched them to the Prince, to express his good intentions, to represent the fidelity with which his promises had thus far been executed, and to entreat the Prince, together with the provinces of Holland and Zealand, to unite with their sister provinces in common allegiance to his Majesty.