He had sent his quartermaster-general to examine the passes, who had reported that it would be impossible to prevent his Majesty's advance.

He was also distinctly informed that Marquis Spinola, keeping his places garrisoned, could not bring more than 8000 men into the field.

The Duke of Bouillon, however, was sending advices that his communications were liable to be cut off, and that for this purpose Spinola could set on foot about 16,000 infantry and 4000 horse.
If the passage should be allowed by the Archdukes, the King stated his intention of establishing magazines for his troops along the whole line of march through the Spanish Netherlands and neighbouring districts, and to establish and fortify himself everywhere in order to protect his supplies and cover his possible retreat.

He was still in doubt, he said, whether to demand the passage at once or to wait until he had began to move his army.

He was rather inclined to make the request instantly in order to gain time, being persuaded that he should receive no answer either of consent or refusal.
Leaving all these details, the King then frankly observed that the affair of Cleve had a much wider outlook than people thought.