Kanter and his friends were plausible enough to persuade him of the legality and propriety of the revolution which they had effected, and to procure his formal confirmation of the new magistracy.

Intending to turn his military genius and the splendour of his name to account, they contrived to keep him for a time at least in an amiable enthralment, and induced him to contemplate in their interest the possibility of renouncing the oath which subjected him to the authority of the States of Utrecht.

But the far-seeing eye of Barneveld could not be blind to the danger which at this crisis beset the Stadholder and the whole republic.

The Prince was induced to return to the Hague, but the city continued by armed revolt to maintain the new magistracy.

They proceeded to reduce the taxes, and in other respects to carry out the measures on the promise of which they had come into power.
Especially the Catholic party sustained Kanter and his friends, and promised themselves from him and from his influence over Prince Maurice to obtain a power of which they had long been deprived.
The States-General now held an assembly at Woerden, and summoned the malcontents of Utrecht to bring before that body a statement of their grievances.