His Highness also proposed to advise with them concerning the proper method of convoking the states-general.

As soon as Meetkercke had finished his observations, the Prince demanded that the points and articles should be communicated to him in writing.

Now this was precisely what the envoys preferred to omit.

It was easier, and far more agreeable to expatiate in a general field of controversy,--than to remain tethered to distinct points.

It was particularly in these confused conferences, where neither party was entirely sincere, that the volatile word was thought preferable to the permanent letter.