It has been thought necessary merely to recall very briefly a few salient passages in the career of the Advocate up to the period when the present history really opens.
Their bearing upon subsequent events will easily be observed.

The truce was the work of Barneveld.

It was detested by Maurice and by Maurice's partisans.
"I fear that our enemies and evil reports are the cause of many of our difficulties," said the Advocate to the States' envoy in Paris, in 1606.
"You are to pay no heed to private advices.

Believe and make others believe that more than one half the inhabitants of the cities and in the open country are inclined to peace.

And I believe, in case of continuing adversities, that the other half will not remain constant, principally because the Provinces are robbed of all traffic, prosperity, and navigation, through the actions of France and England.