They who so boldly accuse me have no liberty of speech, save that which has been acquired for them by the blood of my kindred, by my labors, and my excessive expenditures.

To me they owe it that they dare speak at all." This letter, (which was dated on the 24th of July, 1579) contained an assurance that the writer was about to visit Ghent.
On the following day, Imbize executed a coup d'etat.

Having a body of near two thousand soldiers at his disposal, he suddenly secured the persons of all the magistrates and other notable individuals not friendly to his policy, and then, in violation of all law, set up a new board of eighteen irresponsible functionaries, according to a list prepared by himself alone.

This was his way of enforcing the democratic liberty of Greece, Rome, and Geneva, which was so near to his heart.

A proclamation, in fourteen articles, was forthwith issued, justifying this arbitrary proceeding.