However , the Dutch overplayed their hand by asking for a guarantee of their colonies by the other members of the League .
The Republic saw an opportunity in it to protect itself from the British attacks on its trade without having to join the war against Great Britain .
The Dutch overplayed their hand by asking for a guarantee of their colonies by the other members of the League .
The Republic saw an opportunity in it to protect itself from the British attacks on its trade without having to join the war against Great Britain .