It was the very foundation of the provinces' sovereignty, to maintain which the public means must be employed.

It was in vain to drive the foe out of the country if one could not remain in safety within one's own doors.

They had heard with sorrow that Utrecht was thinking of cashiering its troops, and the speaker proceeded therefore to urge with all the eloquence he was master of the necessity of pausing before taking so fatal a step.
The deputies of Utrecht answered by pleading the great pecuniary burthen which the maintenance of the mercenaries imposed upon that province, and complained that there was no one to come to their assistance, exposed as they were to a sudden and overwhelming attack from many quarters.

The States-General had not only written but sent commissioners to Utrecht insisting on the disbandment.

They could plainly see the displeasure of the Prince.