If they were to be in the field by March or beginning of April, they would require from him an extraordinary sum of 200,000 crowns, and as much more in June or July.
Eighteen months later, when the magnificent naval victory of Heemskerk in the Bay of Gibraltar had just made a startling interlude to the languishing negotiations for peace, the Advocate again warned the French King of the difficulty in which the Republic still laboured of carrying on the mighty struggle alone.

Spain was the common enemy of all.

No peace or hope was possible for the leading powers as long as Spain was perpetually encamped in the very heart of Western Europe.

The Netherlands were not fighting their own battle merely, but that of freedom and independence against the all-encroaching world-power.

And their means to carry on the conflict were dwindling, while at the same time there was a favourable opportunity for cropping some fruit from their previous labours and sacrifices.
"We are led to doubt," he wrote once more to the envoy in France, "whether the King's full powers will come from Spain.