Of these the first was of most immediate interest, and showed irreconcilable differences between the two parties.

The Spaniards would never consent to any trespassing in the closed area, which they regarded as their own peculiar preserve.

The Dutch traders and sailors were fired with the spirit of adventure and of profit, and their successful expeditions had aroused an enthusiasm for further effort in the distant seas, which had hardened into a fixed resolve not to agree to any peace or truce shutting them out from the Indian trade.

For months the subject was discussed and re-discussed without result.

Some of the foreign delegates left.