He might then come to a conclusion thereupon, most conducive to the glory of God and the welfare of the land.
Three days afterwards, 14th January, the offer, drawn up formally in writing, was presented to envoy Davison, according to the request of Leicester.

Three days latter, 17th January, his Excellency having deliberated upon the proposition, requested a committee of conference.
The conference took place the same day, and there was some discussion upon matters of detail, principally relating to the matter of contributions.

The Earl, according to the report of the committee, manifested no repugnance to the acceptance of the office, provided these points could be satisfactorily adjusted.

He seemed, on the contrary, impatient, rather than reluctant; for, on the day following the conference, he sent his secretary Gilpin with a somewhat importunate message.

"His Excellency was surprised," said the secretary, "that the States were so long in coming to a resolution on the matters suggested by him in relation to the offer of the government-general; nor could his Excellency imagine the cause of the delay." For, in truth, the delay was caused by an excessive, rather than a deficient, appetite for power on the part of his Excellency.