AARSSENS  ,.or AARSSEN,

FRANCIS VAN (1572-1641), a celebrated diplomatist and statesman of the United Provinces . His talents commended him to the notice of Advocate Johan van Oldenbarneveldt, who sent him, at the age 'of 26 years, as a diplomatic agent of the states-general to the court of France . He took a considerable part in the negotiations of the twelve years' truce in 16o6 . His conduct of affairs having displeased the French king, he was recalled from his post by Oldenbarneveldt in 1616 . Such was the hatred he henceforth conceived against his former benefactor, that he did his very utmost to effect his ruin . He was one of the packed court of judges who in 1619 condemned the aged statesman to death . For his share in this judicial murder a deep stain rests on the memory of Aarssens . He afterwards be-came the confidential counsellor of Maurice, prince of Orange, and afterwards of Frederick Henry, prince of Orange, in their conduct of the foreign affairs of the republic . He was sent on special embassies to Venice, Germany and England, and displayed so much diplomatic skill and finesse that Richelieu ranked him among the three greatest politicians of his time .