On August 18 the States-General passed a resolution demanding the dismissal of the _Waardgelders_ in Holland within twenty-four hours.

The placard was published on the 20th and was immediately obeyed.

The Estates of Holland had been summoned to meet on the 21st, and were at once called upon to deal with the question of the National Synod.

A few days later (August 28) a secret resolution was adopted by the majority in the States-General, without the knowledge of the Holland deputies, to arrest Oldenbarneveldt, De Groot, Hoogerbeets and Ledenburg, the secretary of the Estates of Utrecht, on the ground that their action in the troubles at Utrecht had been dangerous to the State.

On the following day the Advocate, on his way to attend the meeting of the Estates, was arrested and placed in confinement.