So also, in a letter addressed to Van der Tympel, commandant of Brussels, in which he begged for supplies for his troops, he described the recent invasion of Antwerp as entirely unexpected by himself, and beyond his control.

He had been intending, he said, to leave the city and to join his army.

A tumult had accidentally arisen between his soldiers and the guard at the gate.
Other troops rushing in from without, had joined in the affray, so that to, his great sorrow, an extensive disorder had arisen.

He manifested the same Christian inclination to forgive, however, which he had before exhibited.

He observed that "good men would never grow cold in his regard, or find his affection diminished." He assured Van der Tympel, in particular, of his ancient goodwill, as he knew him to be a lover of the common weal.
In his original communications he had been both cringing and threatening but, at least, he had not denied truths which were plain as daylight.