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HISTORY OF THE UNITED NETHERLANDS
From the Death of William the Silent to the Twelve Year's Truce—1609
By John Lothrop Motley
MOTLEY'S HISTORY OF THE NETHERLANDS, Project Gutenberg Edition, Vol. 78
History of the United Netherlands, 1605-1607
Preparations for the campaign of 1606—Diminution of Maurice's popularity—Quarrel between the pope and the Venetian republic— Surprise of Sluys by Du Terrail—Dilatoriness of the republic's operations—Movements of Spinola—Influence of the weather on the military transactions of the year—Endeavours of Spinola to obtain possession of the Waal and Yssel—Surrender of Lochem to Spinola— Siege of Groll—Siege and loss of Rheinberg—Mutiny in the Catholic army—Recovery of Lochem by Maurice—Attempted recovery of Groll— Sudden appearance of the enemy—Withdrawal of the besieging army Close of the campaign—End of the war of independence—Motives of the Prince in his actions before Groll—Cruise of Admiral Haultain to the coast of Spain and Portugal—His encounter with the war— ships of Fazardo—Courageous conduct of the vice-admiral—Deaths of Justus Lipsius, Hohenlo, and Count John of Nassau.
After the close of the campaign of 1605 Spinola had gone once more toSpain. On his passage through Paris he had again been received withdistinguished favour by that warm ally of the Dutch republic, Henry IV.,and on being questioned by that monarch as to his plans for the nextcampaign had replied that he intended once more to cross the Rhine, andinvade Friesland. Henry, convinced that the Genoese would of course nottell him the truth on such an occasion, wrote accordingly to the States-General that they might feel safe as to their eastern frontier. Whateverelse might happen, Friesland and the regions adjacent would be safe nextyear from attack. The immediate future was to show whether the subtleItalian had not compassed as neat a deception by telling the truth ascoarser politicians could do by falsehood.
Spinola found the royal finances in most dismal condition. Three hundredthousand dollars a month were the least estimate of the necessaryexpenses for carrying on the Netherland war, a sum which could notpossibly be spared by Lerma, Uceda, the Marquis of the Seven Churches,and other financiers then industriously occupied in draining dry theexchequer for their own uses. Once more the general aided his sovereignwith purse and credit, as well as with his sword. Once more the exchangeat Genoa was glutted with the acceptances of Marquis Spinola. Here atleast was a man of a nature not quite so depraved as that of theparasites bred out of the corruption of a noble but dying commonwealth,and doubtless it was with gentle contempt that the great favourite andhis friends looked at the military and financial enthusiasm of thevolunteer. It was so much more sagacious to make a princely fortune thanto sacrifice one already inherited, in the service of one's country.
Spinola being thus ready not only to fight but to help to pay for thefighting, found his plans of campaigns received with great benignity bythe king and his ministers. Meantime there was much delay. The enormouslabours thus devolved upon one pair of shoulders by the do-nothing kingand a mayor of the palace wh