"'Twas impossible," he said, "for him to serve longer on the same footing as heretofore; finding himself without power or authority, without means, without troops, without money, without obedience." He reminded the states-general that the enemy--under pretext of peace negotiations--were ever circulating calumnious statements to the effect that he was personally the only obstacle to peace.

The real object of these hopeless conferences was to sow dissension through the land, to set burgher against burgher, house against house.

As in Italy, Guelphs and Ghibellines--as in Florence, the Neri and Bianchi--as in Holland, the Hooks and Cabbeljaws had, by their unfortunate quarrels, armed fellow countrymen and families against each other--so also, nothing was so powerful as religious difference to set friend against friend, father against son, husband against wife.
He warned the States against the peace propositions of the enemy.

Spain had no intention to concede, but was resolved to extirpate.

For himself; he had certainly everything to lose by continued war.