Please to advise me frankly as to your wishes, and assure yourself in everything of my friendship." Nothing could be more straightforward than this language, but the Envoy was less frank than Barneveld, as will subsequently appear.

The subject was a most important one, not only in its relation to the great affairs of state, but to momentous events touching the fate of illustrious personages.
Meantime a resolution was passed by the States of Holland "in regard to the question whether Ambassador Aerssens should retain his office, yes or no ?" And it was decided by a majority of votes "to leave it to his candid opinion if in his free conscience he thinks he can serve the public cause there any longer.

If yes, he may keep his office one year more.

If no, he may take leave and come home.

In no case is his salary to be increased." Surely the States, under the guidance of the Advocate, had thus acted with consummate courtesy towards a diplomatist whose position from no apparent fault of his own but by the force of circumstances--and rather to his credit than otherwise--was gravely compromised.
ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS: Advanced orthodox party-Puritans Atheist, a tyrant, because he resisted dictation from the clergy Give him advice if he asked it, and money when he required He was not imperial of aspect on canvas or coin He who would have all may easily lose all King's definite and final intentions, varied from day to day Neither kings nor governments are apt to value logic Outdoing himself in dogmatism and inconsistency Small matter which human folly had dilated into a great one The defence of the civil authority against the priesthood THE LIFE AND DEATH of JOHN OF BARNEVELD, ADVOCATE OF HOLLAND WITH A VIEW OF THE PRIMARY CAUSES AND MOVEMENTS OF THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR By John Lothrop Motley, D.C.L., LL.D.
The Life of John of Barneveld, v5, 1609-14.