influence with the government in favour of the Advocate. His departure
without leave, being, as he was, a member of the Chamber of Nobles and of
the council of state, was accounted a great offence. Uytenbogaert also
made his escape, as did Taurinus, author of The Balance, van Moersbergen
of Utrecht, and many others more or less implicated in these commotions.

There was profound silence in the States of Holland when the arrest of
Barneveld was announced. The majority sat like men distraught. At last
Matenesse said, "You have taken from us our head, our tongue, and our
hand, henceforth we can only sit still and look on."

The States-General now took the responsibility of the arrest, which eight
individuals calling themselves the States-General had authorized by
secret resolution the day before (28th August). On the 29th accordingly,
the following "Billet," as it was entitled, was read to the Assembly and
ordered to be printed and circulated among the community. It was without
date or signature.

"Whereas in the course of the changes within the city of Utrecht and in
other places brought about by the high and mighty Lords the States-
General of the United Netherlands, through his Excellency and their
Lordships' committee to him adjoined, sundry things have been discovered
of which previously there had been great suspicion, tending to the great
prejudice of the Provinces in general and of each province in particular,
not without apparent danger to the state of the country, and that thereby
not only the city of Utrecht, but various other cities of the United
Provinces would have fallen into a blood bath; and whereas the chief
ringleaders in these things are considered to be John van Barneveld,
Advocate of Holland, Rombout Hoogerbeets, and Hugo Grotius, whereof
hereafter shall declaration and announcement be made, therefore their