But, according to his desire and forethought, I furnished that place with cavalry and infantry; for I know the troops there be marvellous weak." In reply, Wilkes stated that the complaints had been made "by no rhetorician," but by letter from the magistrates themselves (on whom he relied so confidently) to the state-council.

The councillor added, rather tartly, that since his honest words of defence and of warning, had been "taken in so scoffing a manner," Sir William might be sure of not being troubled with any more of his letters.
But, a day or two before thus addressing him, he had already enclosed to Leicester very important letters addressed by the council of Gelderland to Count Moeurs, stadholder of the Province, and by him forwarded to the state-council.

For there were now very grave rumours concerning the fidelity of "that patient and foreseeing brother York," whom Stanley had been so generously strengthening in Fort Zutphen.

The lieutenant of York, a certain Mr.Zouch, had been seen within the city of Zutphen, in close conference with Colonel Tassis, Spanish governor of the place.

Moreover there had been a very frequent exchange of courtesies--by which the horrors of war seemed to be much mitigated--between York on the outside and Tassis within.