That important bulwark of Holland, Zealand, and Utrecht on the one side, and of Groningen and Friesland on the other--the main buttress, in short, of the nascent republic, was now in hands which would defend it to the last.
As soon as the discussion came up in the states-general on the subject of the Dort petitions, Orange requested that every member who had formed his opinions should express them fully and frankly.

All wished, however, to be guided and governed by the sentiments of the Prince.

Not a man spoke, save to demand their leader's views, and to express adhesion in advance to the course which his wisdom might suggest.

The result was a projected convention, a draft for a religious peace, which, if definitely established, would have healed many wounds and averted much calamity.

It was not, however, destined to be accepted at that time by the states of the different provinces where it was brought up for discussion; and several changes were made, both of form and substance, before the system was adopted at all.