The great objects of the war had been secured.

The country was weary of nearly half a century of bloodshed.

It was time to remember that there could be such a condition as Peace.
The treaty was signed, ratifications exchanged, and the usual presents of considerable sums of money to the negotiators made.

Barneveld earnestly protested against carrying out the custom on this occasion, and urged that those presents should be given for the public use.

He was overruled by those who were more desirous of receiving their reward than he was, and he accordingly, in common with the other diplomatists, accepted the gifts.
The various details of these negotiations have been related by the author in other volumes, to which the present one is intended as a sequel.