 This knowledge enabled Downing to be instrumental in strengthening and clarifying the provisions of the earlier act in the Navigation Act of 1660.Despite Dutch opposition to this legislation, they were willing to continue discussions, but were frustrated by English demands for them to honour certain provisions of the 1654 treaty that ended the First Anglo-Dutch War which the Dutch East India Company representatives in Asia had ignored and for compensation for English merchants' outstanding claims.The talks continued until early 1662, when Charles' improving financial position and Downing's advice not to offer concessions led to further English demands The conclusion of a Franco-Dutch treaty including a defensive alliance in 1662, which gave the Netherlands protection against an English attack ended the possibility of an Anglo-Dutch treaty that would settle outstanding differences, and the treaty actually signed in September 1662 satisfied neither government.