War with the Dutch reshapes naval power

English forces performed well in European and home waters, while their limited logistical reach allowed the Dutch to succeed overseas. Dutch participation in the English American colonies' trade had already compensated for the limited number of English merchant vessels. The outcome is assessed as mixed, qualifying the familiar description of an English military victory and a Dutch political victory. Cromwell also sought to exclude princes of Orange from Dutch public office through an Act of Seclusion, a requirement separate from the Treaty of Westminster itself. Dutch merchant ships converted for war struggled against English ships of the line, prompting a major programme of purpose-built warships. The Dutch admiralties were forbidden to sell those new ships for conversion into merchant vessels, helping preserve a professional battle fleet.