Counsellor Wilkes on his behalf then made a speech, in which he observed that more ample communications on the part of the States were to be expected.

They had in previous colloquies touched upon comparatively unimportant matters, but he now begged to be informed why these commissioners were proceeding to England, and what was the nature of their instructions.

Why did not they formally offer the sovereignty of the Provinces to the Queen without conditions?
That step had already been taken by Utrecht.
The deputies conferred apart for a little while, and then replied that the proposition made by Utrecht was notoriously factious, illegal, and altogether futile.

Without the sanction of all the United States, of what value was the declaration of Utrecht?
Moreover the charter of that province had been recklessly violated, its government overthrown, and its leading citizens banished.

The action of the Province under such circumstances was not deserving of comment; but should it appear that her Majesty was desirous of assuming the sovereignty of the Provinces upon reasonable conditions, the States of Holland and of Zeeland would not be found backward in the business.
Leicester proposed that Prince Maurice of Nassau should go with him to England, as nominal chief of the embassy, and some of the deputies favoured the suggestion.