The British government also makes overtures to the Dutch to come to a speedy conclusion of hostilities, especially after the Cabinet of Lord North is replaced by that of Rockingham and Fox in March 1782.

Fox immediately proposes a separate peace on favorable conditions to the Dutch government.

Unfortunately for the Dutch they have just bound themselves closer to France by agreeing to act "in concert" with France in naval actions and therefore a separate peace is no longer an option.

A real military alliance with France is, however, still blocked by the stadtholder, despite the fact that many in the Republic favor it.

The war, as far as it goes, is fought in three main theaters.

Britain blockades Dutch ports in Europe, and embarks on expeditions to seize Dutch colonial properties throughout the world.

These are almost entirely successful; only an attempt to capture the Dutch castle at Elmina on the Africa's Gold Coast (modern Ghana) fails.

While many Dutch territories in the West Indies are taken by the British, some, like Curaçao, are not attacked due to their defensive strength.