Finally the skill and perseverance of the two leading Dutch plenipotentiaries, Pauw and Van Knuyt, and of the Spanish envoys, Penaranda and Brun, brought the negotiations to a successful issue.

The assent of all the provinces was necessary, and for a time Utrecht and Zeeland were obstinately refractory, but at length their opposition was overcome; and on January 30,1648, the treaty of Muenster was duly signed.

Great rejoicings throughout the land celebrated the end of the War of Independence, which had lasted for eighty years.

Thus, in spite of the solemn engagement made with France, a separate peace was concluded with Spain and in the interests of the United Provinces.

Their course of action was beyond doubt politically wise and defensible, but, as might be expected, it left behind it a feeling of soreness, for the French naturally regarded it as a breach of faith.