Page:History of England (Froude) Vol 10.djvu/433

 1577- THE SPANISH TREATY. lands, they withdrew from them all, and made them over to the soldiers of the States. They received 300,000 crowns upon the spot ; they were promised as much more on reaching Italy, and thither they went to receive it. So far, and in this most essential matter, the promise was kept. There was a party however among the Belgian Catholics who were loudly hostile to the connection with Elizabeth. 1 It was observed too that the refugees who had been expelled by Recjuescens were coming back in numbers, and were well received. Sir T. Stukely, who had come from Spain, the Earl of Westmoreland, Sir F. Englefield, and several more, were ' cherished about the person of Don John as though they were of council with him/ 2 Dr Wilson, Elizabeth's minister with the States, remonstrated, but no attention was paid to him. Secretary Escobedo was found soon after to have received a letter from the Queen of Scots, 3 and Wilson, to see how he would take it, spoke openly to Don John about the suspicion which was entertained about him with respect to that lady. Don John coloured, passed it off, and was soon after observed to be making prodigious efforts to gain the Prince of Orange. He went so far as to promise Holland and Zealand the liberty of worship which they demanded ; and he even told the Prince that if his brother would not agree to the pacification, he would himself join the States and take arms in their cause. 4 1 Wilson to Elizabeth, February 25, 1577 : MS 8, Flanders. 2 Ibid. 3 Secret advertisements from Brussels, February 22 : MSS. Ibid. 4 Don John with his own mouth told Dr Wilson that he had used these words to Orange, and Orange