other. The Prince professed the readiness of those states which he might
be said to represent in his single person, to draw as closely as possible
the bonds of fellowship. It was almost superfluous for him to promise
his own ready co-operation. "Nothing remains to us," said he, "but to
discard all jealousy and distrust. Let us, with a firm resolution and a
common accord, liberate these lands from the stranger. Hand to hand let
us accomplish a just and general peace. As for myself, I present to you,
with very, good affection, my person and all which I possess, assuring
you that I shall regard all my labors and pains in times which are past,
well bestowed, if God now grant me grace to see the desired end. That
this end will be reached, if you hold fast your resolution and take to
heart the means which God presents to you, I feel to be absolutely
certain."

Such were the tenor and the motives of the documents which he scattered--
broadcast at this crisis. They were addressed to the estates of nearly
every province. Those bodies were urgently implored to appoint deputies
to a general congress, at which a close and formal union between Holland
and Zealand with the other provinces might be effected. That important
measure secured, a general effort might, at the same time, be made to
expel the Spaniard from the soil. This done, the remaining matters could
be disposed of by the assembly of the estates-general. His eloquence and
energy were not without effect. In the course of the autumn, deputies
were appointed from the greater number of the provinces, to confer with
the representatives of Holland and Zealand, in a general congress. The
place appointed for the deliberations vas the city of Ghent. Here, by
the middle of October, a large number of delegates were already
assembled.

Events were rapidly rolling together from every quarter, and accumulating