United States or Panama ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
It is certain, however, that the Duchess declared it to be false." Certainly, as we read the epistles, and observe how profoundly the writer seems to have sounded the deep guile of the Spanish Cabinet, and how distinctly events, then far in the future, are indicated, we are tempted to exclaim: "aut Alava, aut Diabolus;" either the envoy wrote the despatch, or Orange.
But the determination of the assembled knights was much shaken by the declaration with which Count Egmont surprised them. "Rather," said he, "may all that is evil befall me than that I should tempt fortune so rashly. The idle talk of the Spaniard, Alava, does not move me; how should such a person be able to read the mind of a sovereign so reserved as Philip, and to decipher his secrets?
Alava replied that he thought, none the less, that the tax would encounter many obstacles, and begged him earnestly to reflect. He assured him, moreover, that he should, without reserve, express his opinions fully to the King. The Duke used the same language which Don Frederic had held, concerning the motives of those who opposed the tax.
It is certain, however, that the Duchess declared it to be false." Certainly, as we read the epistles, and observe how profoundly the writer seems to have sounded the deep guile of the Spanish Cabinet, and how distinctly events, then far in the future, are indicated, we are tempted to exclaim: "aut Alava, aut Diabolus;" either the envoy wrote the despatch, or Orange.
It was the King's intention to use them and to destroy them, said the writer, and it was the Regent's duty to second the design. "The tumults and troubles have not been without their secret concurrence," said the supposititious Alava, "and your Highness may rest assured that they will be the first upon whom his Majesty will seize, not to confer benefits, but to chastise them as they deserve.
They had also some conversation concerning the dissatisfaction manifested by the Duchess at the proceedings of Count Horn at Tournay, and they read a very remarkable letter which had been furnished them, as having been written by the Spanish envoy in Paris, Don Francis of Alava, to Margaret of Parma. This letter was forged.
But the most important disclosure was made by an intercepted letter of the Spanish ambassador in France, Francis Von Alava, to the duchess, in which the former descanted on the fair opportunity which was now afforded to the king, through the guilt of the Netherlandish people, of establishing an arbitrary power in that country.
At first she changed color at sight of it, but quickly recovering herself, she boldly declared that it was a forgery. "How can this letter," she said, "really come from Alava, when I miss none? And would he who pretends to have intercepted it have spared the other letters? Nay, how can it be true, when not a single packet has miscarried, nor a single despatch failed to come to hand?
The letter of the minister, Alava, together with some others from Spain, which gave a circumstantial account of the approaching warlike visit of the king, and of his evil intentions against the nobles, was laid by the prince before his brother, Count Louis of Nassau, Counts Egmont, Horn, and Hogstraten, at a meeting at Dendermonde in Flanders, whither these five knights had repaired to confer on the measures necessary for their security.
Position of Orange The interview at Dendermonde The supposititious letters of Alava Views of Egmont Isolation of Orange Conduct of Egmont and of Horn Confederacy, of the nobles dissolved Weak behavior of prominent personages Watchfulness of Orange Convocation of States General demanded Pamphlet of Orange City of Valenciennes refuses a garrison Influence of La Grange and De Bray City, declared in a state of siege Invested by Noircarmes Movements to relieve the place Calvinists defeated at Lannoy and at Waterlots Elation of the government The siege pressed more closely Cruelties practised upon the country people Courage of the inhabitants Remonstrance to the Knights of the Fleece Conduct of Brederode Orange at Amsterdam New Oath demanded by Government Orange refuses He offers his resignation of all offices Meeting at Breda New "Request" of Brederode He creates disturbances and levies troops in Antwerp Conduct of Hoogstraaten Plans of Brederode Supposed connivance of Orange Alarm at Brussels Tholouse at Ostrawell Brederode in Holland De Beauvoir defeats Tholouse Excitement at Antwerp Determined conduct of Orange Three days' tumult at Antwerp suppressed by the wisdom and courage of Orange.
Word Of The Day