In 1591, the States-General passed a resolution by which these arrogant corporations virtually procured their exemption from any process at the suit of a private person to be placed on record.

So far could the principle of sovereignty be pulverized.

City council boards had become supreme.
It was naturally impossible during the long continuance of this great struggle, that neutral nations should not be injuriously affected by it in a variety of ways.

And as a matter of course neutral nations were disposed to counsel peace.

Peace, peace; peace was the sigh of the bystanders whose commerce was impeded, whose international relations.
were complicated, and whose own security was endangered in the course of the bloody conflict.