He did not return till November 6, but all the time he was in active correspondence with his party in Holland, at whose head were the three pensionaries of Rotterdam, Leyden and Haarlem--De Groot, Hoogerbeets and De Haan.

Under their leadership levies of _Waardgelders_ were made in a number of towns; but other towns, including Amsterdam, refused, and the total levy did not amount to more than 1800 men.

Meanwhile the majority of the States-General, urged on by Maurice and William Lewis, were determined, despite the resistance of Holland and Utrecht, to carry through the proposal for the summoning of a National Synod.

Overyssel had been overawed and persuaded to assent, so that there were five votes against two in its favour.

All through the winter the wrangling went on, and estrangement between the contending parties grew more bitter and acute.