132 THE END OF THE STRUGGLE have collapsed. No man would pay in any money to it. If the king would not help, it was wildly propounded at a general court on July 22d, to " join with the Portugals and root the bloody Dutch out of the Indies.' ' The " True Relation " presented to James on July 11, 1624, had touched the sentimental fibre in his weak nature. On July 16th he promised to make stay of Dutch vessels if satisfaction were not given, and even offered to become himself a shareholder in the Com- pany, and to allow its ships to sail under the royal standard. This offer of greatness thrust upon it, the Company respectfully declined. The king meanwhile ordered his ambassador at The Hague to demand satis- faction from the States-General before August 12th, under threat of reprisals by hanging, or even " an irrec- oncilable war." These were brave words, and if the Dutch Govern- ment had believed they would be followed by action, they might have proved decisive. For the outrage of Amboyna had come as an unpleasant surprise to the Dutch Company, and as a serious embarrassment to the Dutch Government. The governor-general at Ba- tavia spoke his mind as freely as he dared to Van Speult. The Company in Holland, while making the best case they could against the English claims for compensation, refrained from sending back Coen to the East, although they had reappointed him governor- general in 1624. Members of the States-General openly expressed their disgust. The Prince of Orange wished that Van Speult with all his council had been hanged
