On 7 January, a Dutch trumpeter arrived in Harwich carrying with him two letters for the Spanish consul.[5] Though the herald was promptly arrested by the town mayor, the letters were sent to Lord Arlington, who hurriedly brought them in person to del Fresno.[5] Arlington was, in turn, on 15 January, impeached by Sir Gilbert Gerard for high treason, as the very act showed him to have had secret dealings with the enemy.[6] On 24 January, the consul handed the letters, containing the peace proposal, to Charles,[6] who pretended to be greatly surprised.