MORE EXCELLENT OBSERVATIONS OF THE ESTATE AND AFFAIRES OF HOLLAND. In a discourse, shewing how necessarie and conuenient it is for their neighbouring Countries, as well as the Netherland Prouinces, to Trade into the West Indies. And by most vrgent and good reasons, prouing that by the West Indian Trade now erected in HOLLAND, the said Company shall receiue great benefit, the Hollanders greater seruice, and the Spaniard more hurt, and greater disaduantage then euer he receiued before. As also the great profit and commodity the said Netherlands haue reaped and receiued, during the time of 24. yeares that the said Company hath Traded into the East Indies. Faithfully Translated out of the Dutch Copie.
Printed at London by E.A. for Nicholas Bourne and Thomas Archer, and are to be sold at their Shops at the Exchange, and the Popes-head-Pallace. 1622.
MORE EXCELLENT OBSERVATIONS OF the estate and affaires of Holland.
SIR, in conformity of my promise to resolue you of certaine questions, in your Letter lately sent vnto mee, set downe; I thought good at this present, orderly to make answer thereunto, nothing doubting, but that you shall thereby receiue good contentment and satisfaction.
The first question.
Whether it had not beene better and more commodious for the vnited Netherland Prouinces, to haue made a new truce with the King of Spaine for twelue yeares more, with leauing of the East Indian Trade, then by continuing the same, to begin warre againe, and to be debarred of the Spanish Trade?
Answere.
It is true, that friendship, commerse, and conuersation, are the necessary consequences of peace, according to the generall lawes of nature, of all people, and of all times, conuersation and commerse, being signes of friendship, and of peace, which is denied to no man, but to an enemie.
In such manner that there is no example extant, or to be found, that there was euer any treaty of peace made or concluded, with the vnited Netherland Prouinces, vpon condition that conuersation and commerse should be excepted [Page 2]and prohibited vnto them, for that were no peace, but a certaine and true banishment, which alwayes is deserned and excepted betweene enemies and euill doers.
Therefore the proposition made by the Spaniards, to debarre vs from trading into the East India, first sheweth and declareth a manifest kind of vnreasonablenesse and iniustice. Secondly, an open caution and deceit, by words declaring vs to be a free soueraigne State, and in effect making vs to be of worse condition, then euer we were vnder Soueraigne Princes, which is wholy without any reason or ground: for although we had not traded into the East Indies before the warre began, yet we had reason, right, and freedome, to haue done it, Iure gentium, which was neuer taken from vs by any man.
The King of Spaine, when hee was Lord of these Countries, had no lawfull power, in respect of his Spaniards, to take that from vs, for that he was bound by oath, to maintaine and vpold these Countries in their freedomes & priuiledges of Trading and Traffiquing, whereof without all doubt the free vse and benefit of the Sea, of the ayre, and of traffick throughout all the world, is the principallest point: and doing the contrary, he should haue dealt with vs contrary to his Oath, in such manner that wee challenge that freedome which from the beginning of the warre wet alwayes had, for that free trafficke vpon the Sea, throughout the whole world lies open for vs, whereof without warre and by force, we cannot be debarred nor hindred.
And that wee that are Batauians (whose liuing dependeth vpon the Seas) and which are the best Marchants, and Sea-faring men, in the whole world, should be debarred or denied of, & frō the vse of the greatest part of the Seas, and of the most notable parts and traffick of the whole world, is the greatest presumption that can or may be imagined, specially when men will extend the same, to other Kingdomes [Page 3]& countries, where they haue nothing to do, & ouer the Seas, ouer the which he hath no cōmand: the vse wherof Iure gentium is free for all men; and whereof no man in the world hath any particular commaund or authority.
And it is sure, that this should be an vndoubted subuersion of our estate, which in this great warre cannot stand and subsist, without free Trade of Marchandise and Seafaring, as being the onely meanes that God hath appointed for our maintainance, and the more that the quantity of our Sea-faring and trafficke diminisheth, according to the same proportion, the strength & power of these Countries would also bee weakened and decay, for that our Townes and Inhabitants cannot be maintained, much lesse can we haue any generall power or meanes, by the inlandish benefits, of commodities, or rents and reuenewes, as other great Countries and Kingdomes may and can, because our Countrey is too little, therefore we must haue all that, out of the Sea and Sea-faring.
Now to let you see how much we should be hindered, if we should leaue off the East Indian Trade, and the like hinderance we should consequently also faile of touching the power and strength of these Countries. I will proceede to tell you, but first I will discourse of the East Indian Trade, and after that of the West Indies.
To make a true estimation of the hinderance and hurt as aforesaid: first we must vnderstand, what aduentures and prosperity we haue had by the said Trade. In the Records of the East Indian Company it appeareth, that from Anno 1595. to Anno 1601. included, they sent out 46. ships, wherof there arriued 43. again in these Countries richly laden. Ships that brought for returne, (all charges deducted) two hundred and thirty Tunnes of gold, cleare gaynes for the Marchants of the said Company.
Further, by the Records and Bookes of the said East [Page 4]Indian Company: it is also shewed, that for the space of eleuen yeares wee had still about 30. ships continually in East India, with 5000. Sea-faring men, and that they expected to receiue from thence at least 300. Tunnes of gold in capitall, besides that which they had in the land. Now I referre it to your iudgement, what the said Company in the last ensuing tenne yeares vntill this time hath gayned? who within the time of sixe moneths, haue had a good returne of 40. Tunnes of gold. I doubt not but you haue heard of the rich lading that the two ships brought hether, within the space of a moneth, being valued to bee worth 24. Tunnes of gold, in such manner, that the particular partners from Anno 1605. (euery mans full aduenture being deliuered in) haue gayned vpon euery hundred Gildernes, vntill this day, in ready money, the summe of 200. Gildernes, and whensoeuer any man will sell his stocke (which at this time hee hath in the Company) which hee may doe when hee will, hee may for euery hundred haue 230. Gildernes: whereunto are the Interest, which the partners (from the first money receiued) to this present haue gayned, which also is halfe a capitall, there resteth to the partners particularly, vpon euery hundred, if they haue ventured and traded 16. yeares in the East Indian Company, in cleare gaynes about 400. Gildernes.
I speake not this by report, but as a witnesse thereof, being one of the partners, that haue receiued my part of the gayne, and may haue the rest within 8. dayes if I will sell my stocke, which I may at all times doe: but at this present I intend not to doe it, for we hope, that our portions by meanes of our good successe in the East Indian Trade, (wherewith I will hereafter more at large acquaint you) in few moneths will be much better.
But it may be, you will say, that this profit is great, and very good for the particular partners in the said Company, [Page 5]but what benefit doth thereby arise vnto the publique Common-wealth? whereunto I answere; first, that no Marchants in Trafficking, nor partners in Companies put in their stockes, but onely for their owne particular gaine; yet it is most true, that the publicke Common-wealth, should bee much more interressed, then the particular Traders, by leauing the East Indian Trade: for besides this, that the publicke onely consisteth of the particular, and that the particular maketh the publicke, and that the publick is powerfull and rich, according to the proportion that the particular hath and aboundeth withall; yet it is most true, that the particular without the publick, and not the publick without the particular may be, and subsist, by this meanes, that the particular going and with-drawing it selfe into other Countries, can as well venture from thence into the Indies, as in these Countries. But the publick must stay, and see it selfe become weake, and decrease in force and power, as her Trade and Trafficke decayeth. For according to the proportion thereof, necessarily also the number of Inhabitants decreaseth, and the power of the publique likewise.
Besides this, considering that the Ships and Saylers, that are vsed by the particular Company, are great and many, which without any charge to the Countrey are maintained and paid, and daily employed, vpon all occurrents to be vsed by the Countrey, without the which it is impossible to haue any power at Sea; as wee see and well know, that the greatest Kingdomes haue no power at Sea, according to the proportion of their puissance and might, but onely according to the proportion, of the Trade and Trafficke that they haue and vse in their Countries.
Secondly, we may by the Trade vsed by the said Company, vntill the yeare 1614. included, declare and proue, that the custome houses of the Country, by meanes of conuoyes, [Page 6]lycences, tolls, and customes, which the said East Indian Company haue, and pay, inward and outward, haue profited and receiued aboue 35. Tunnes of gold, for the which the States of the land, haue at some times (as neede required) ayded the said Company towards their warres in India, with money and ships: partly to ease the said Company of some portion of their charge. Now, what they haue receiued in the custome houses of the Country, from Anno 1614. to Anno 1621. without doubt it is a greater sum, and much more then the former, noting what a rich returne they haue had within these seuen yeares.
Now to shew what furtherance & benefit the common people haue had and gotten by this East Indian Trade, we must note, that a Fleet of 12. ships, doth cost in money and all other things thereunto belonging, about eighteene Tunnes of gold, to set and send it foorth: and commonly there is not aboue 5. or 6. Tunnes of gold in ready money sent out with it: all the rest is bought and prepared here in the land, to the great benefit and welfare of the Countrey, and gayned by the Inhabitants, that sell and deliuer the same. And euery ship that comes home againe, one with another, payeth aboue a Tunne of gold for monethly wages, whereby the Officers and Saylers also are inriched, which also is gotten and spent by and among the Inhabitants: whereby it is manifest, what the common people haue profited; besides the great number of so many thousand people, that by meanes of this Trade afore-said, are set on worke, and well payd for it, to the great comfort and benefit of many poore people. In such manner, that the last yeare when I was at Amsterdam, I saw not one idle vagabond nor begger (for such as are sicke, are prouided for in the Hospitalls) goe about the streetes to begge, which good order is also obserued in some other Townes.
Thirdly, to shew what the publicke Common-wealth [Page 7]hath yet further gotten by this Trade, you must vnderstand, that the greatest profit of the land consisteth in the most great hurt and damage which the Enemy hath first and last endured, and yet endureth in East India: for since that wee were prohibited to Trade and Trafficke in Spaine, and other of the Spanish territories (which not withstand against his will, by other Nations wee doe continue with good profit) some of our Marchants in Anno 1595. with resolute and good courages (which God without doubt endowed them withall) sayled prosperously into the East Indies, and there first began our Trade. And notwithstanding, that the Portugales and Spaniards sought by all the meanes they could at the first to debarre and keepe vs from it: neuerthelesse, wee abstained not the next yeare, happily to proceed therewith againe. Whereby we being but a small number of Partners in the said Company, brought and procured the mightiest Potentates of all Europe, to be our Enemies: who well considering the consequence thereof, sought all the meanes they could to remedie the same, and ioyned the power of Castile and Portugale together, (such and so great, as in a hundred yeares before the like was neuer heard of) not onely to let and hinder the proceeding of our happy Trade, or at least to stay it a while, but also there-withall to be reuenged on the Kings, Princes, and Countries, with whom, in the name of the Prince of Orange, we had a contracted aliance. In respect whereof, (the honour and reputation of the Countrey requiring it) it sought to protect and defend our oppressed Company, whereby warre throughout East Indian (to the great cost and charges of our Company) began, and yet to the great hurt and hinderance of our Enemies, which may be noted & considered hereby, that from Anno 1596. wee haue ouercome and spoyled eleuen of his great huge Carckets, Gallyes, and other great ships, and haue made [Page 8]about 40. of his ships vnseruiceable; besides those, that in the last tenne yeares ensuing, we haue spoyled and taken: whereby our Enemies trade there, hath beene greatly impaired, and ours, by Gods blessing (who onely is to bee praised therefore) to the admiration of the whole world, is greatly encreased. In such manner, that the staple of all manner of Spices, and other rich and costly Wares, which for the space of 200. yeares together was in Venice, (whereby the said Towne encreased and became exceeding rich) and after that by meanes of their Nauigation, was in Portugale, for the space of 100. yeares: and lastly, for 25. yeares hath beene in Holland and Zealand, and since that by a good agreement made, the last yeare was also brought into England: in such sort, that the King of Spaines Marchants, were forced, in the said yeares afore-said (contrary to all mens expectations) to buy Nutmegs, Cloues and Mace, of vs. Now also to know what great hinderance the King of Spaine receiueth in his Customes and Tolles yearely, you must remember that which I shall tell you, all Caracks and Galleons, that are made and prepared by the particular Company, to sayle outward, must not sayle to East India, without leaue, and satisfying the Kings custome, and being returned againe out of East India, into Portugale, the Factors or Partners must deliuer a iust note of their lading, sealed vp and signed by the Officers in East India, after that the Officers in Portugale agree with the Company or Partners for the Kings custome, which amounteth to a great summe of money, at the least halfe a Capitall: which Wares when they are caried out of Portugale into other of the said Kings Kingdomes, must againe pay custome, and when they are caried from thence into other Prouinces, the King hath the third and last toll of them: all this being calculated into one summe, will amount vnto yearely for the King aboue 100. Tunnes of gold, besides the double [Page 9]losse which the Portugales in 24. yeares haue had and endured first & last in their ships and goods, and yet endure.
Hauing shewed what the Partners haue profited the Common-wealth, and the Inhabitants thereof, by the East Indian Trade, and yet doe profit them; as also what great damage and losse, the King of Spaine with his Portugale Subiects by this meanes hath receiued, and endured: now I will briefly declare, the present state of the said Company in East India. You must vnderstand, that matter of Trafficke is in very good termes, which wee hope by Gods help and blessing, shall from yeare to yeare still be better and better, now the English-men (by meanes of a contract made with them a yeare since) ioyne their forces with ours, and we for our parts haue in East India, that are comming home and here in the Countrey, aboue 50. ships, double furnished with lusty Saylers, as also all other things fit for the Warre, and for so long a voyage, and about 10. strong Forts, whereof some we haue taken from the Enemy; the rest haue beene erected at the great cost and charges of the Company, and made defensible, which for the security of our owne people and goods, as also for the defence of our confederates are sufficiently prouided. Lastly, when they of Bantam began to lay an extraordinary toll vpon our Nation, and caused vs to pay 50. pro cento custome, and yet we could not for all that obtaine licence of them, to build a Warehouse of Stone and Morter, for the security of our Wares and Marchandises, for that being of wood, it was twice burnt: we were constrained to transport our Trade in Bantam to another conuenient place, which is a firme Iland, and hath many good and conuenient Hauens in it: for in my Writings I finde, that fiue yeares past, Mataram the great Emperour of Iaua, who is able to bring 300. thousand men into the field, dwelling about 100. miles distant from Bantam, had also sought to make some contract of [Page 10]aliance with vs, offering to deliuer vs Pepper toll free, and licence to build vs a Castle of Morter and Stone, with all things conuenient in Iapara, which was not well lik'd of by the King of Bantam, and his Lieutenant: At last our Nation built a conuenient Towne about Iacatra, reasonably well fortified, and called it Batauia, where there are about 1000. houses of all Nations, there to Trafficke and deale in Marchandize, which is defended and gouerned by a Gouernour, Scowt, and other Officers, for the maintainance of good gouernment and policy, and to administer Iustice vnto euery one: and to the end that before all other things, Gods seruice and honour might be maintained, whereby the blinde Heathens might be brought out of their great darknesse, and young children taught the knowledge of the truth of Iesus Christ our Sauiour: the Company diligently and carefully tooke order, to erect a Church and a Schoole therein, to the which end they sent thether certaine learned men, as at the first also they did, which with great benefit and encrease, haue taught the Heathens the Gospell of Christ in their owne language, as well as vnto our men in their language: In such manner, that a King and a Prince of Amboina, (where the Countrey people are much addicted vnto diuellish and heathenish superstitions) sent two of their sonnes into these Countries, with a Letter written vnto the Prince of Orange, to haue them brought vp at Schoole, and taught our language, and Christian Religion, that they might at their returne into East India, be a meanes of planting the Church of Chaist there in India, and learne how to defend their owne natiue Countrey. Wee are heartily to pray vnto God, that he will be pleased to send more true Shepheards thether, that willingly and out of meere loue, will vndertake that long voyage, to feed the blinde Sheepe, that they may by meanes of true faith, be brought vnto the fellowship [Page 11]of his heauenly Kingdome and glory: which the Company before all things ought specially to haue a care of, (which I and other of my fellow partners haue heartily entreated them to vndertake, thereunto choosing such men, as by their godly liues and behauiours, may be an example vnto others, that so our Spirituall exercises, together with our temporall Trade of Marchandise, may the better be blessed, and prosper. This shall serue onely for an aduise, now that I may fully make answere vnto your first question, I will briefly speake somewhat of the Spanish Trade, whereof in the end of your proposition you make mention.
I said before, that notwithstanding the King of Spaines interdiction against vs made, touching the same, neuerthelesse we enioy it by meanes of other Nations: for you must certainly be perswaded, that we were not bereft thereof here in these Countries, if you note, that all manufacters, both for price and dealing in other parts into Spaine, is nothing lessoned. In such sort, that we shall win nothing by the Spanish Trade, but obtaine a little bettering thereof, yet with doubtfull security, for if he should graunt vs freedome of Trade there, then wee shall haue liberty to goe thither, which is more then many men thinke of or conceiue, for he for his part thereby, hath his custome, which is very great, and Spaine would be victualed by vs in time of need, and we for our parts should put our stocks, people, ships, and Ordnance into his hands, therewith to oppresse our selues or our friends, whereunto he would want no occasions, as wee haue heretofore well found, and by experience tried, whereof it is needlesse here to produce any examples.
Herewith I wil conclude my answer to the first question, and proceed to the second, and hauing satisfied you therein, I will make a finall resolution of them both.
The second question.
For that wee haue no Townes nor Forts in West India, land the Spaniards for the space of an hundred yeares at the least, haue had & inhabited the most part of the Countrey, and the Hauens there, where they trade, with the Indians that now are left therein to their great profit and aduantage. It is therefore out of hope, and no apparance at all, that our West Indian Company shall be able with any aduantage to trade there against the Enemies wills, because some men are of opinion, that the most difficulty will consist in the erecting of certaine Colonies in vnknowne places, where they haue no friends, without the which Colonies, our Marchants can haue no security of Trade, as you must of force confesse, for the King of Spaine will not cease, by all the meanes hee can to let and hinder the same, and those that liue securely here, will also be doubtfull, to trust their monies out in strange elements, where the winde blowes it away, and where men shal not in long time heare of it againe.
Answere.
I assure my selfe, when you shall haue read my Letter, you will not be doubtfull as you make shew of, and therefore I will not spare, to put you out of that scruple, and also to take the like away from others. When wee in Anno 1594. resolued in the yeare ensuing, with a small Fleete (as afore-said) to sayle into the East Indies, wee then had no sorts nor friends in those Countries; neuerthelesse the Portugales then inhabited, and had strong Townes and Forts therein, and farre surpassed our power for quantity of ships, yet we then began (in the name of God) to Trade there, and notwithstanding the same the next yeare, with good successe continued it, (which wee must praise God for) vntill the yeare of our Lord 1605. and then obtayned a lycence of the States to erect a Company, at the particular [Page 13]costs and charges of the said Company, (whereof the Capitall in the said Anno 1605. was fully brought in and payd) which amounted vnto about 65. Tunnes of gold: what notable effects (by Gods blessing) vntill this time haue ensued thereupon (whereat both the Christians and Heathens themselues doe wonder) In my former answere, I haue already partly declared, whereby the Spanish Trade there, by our Trade, at this present is much decreased, whereto the contrary ours yearely encreaseth: and it is apparant, that at last they may be driuen out of the Moluckoes Ilands, where the Cloues and Nutmegs grow, and (where they get little or no aduantage being so much hindred by vs.)
Now I will speake of Guinea, where also at the first wee had not one foot of ground, and notwithstanding that the Spaniards there had some strong Forts and friends, yet we Traded there in such manner with 20. ships, and 400. men in them, that in time of warre, we dealt there for about 12. Tunnes of gold.
Likewise at Punckle del Rey, in the West Indies, we sayled Southward with 100. great ships, and 1800. men in them, which yearely traded for fraight and Salt, which cost nothing but the fraight, and brought in to the value of 10. Tunnes of gold.
The trade for Hides to Cuba & Hispaniola, was followed with 20. ships and 1500. men in them, and there we yearely traffick, for 8. Tuns of gold at the least, which in all amounteth vnto 180. ships, 8700. men, and the returne (by Gods blessings) 130. Tunnes of gold, as you may see by the calculation made by the directors Anno 1608. which was openly printed and set forth the same yeare.
But for that some men without knowledge or vnderstanding, discourse and speake of the West Indian Trade, I wil briefly declare, what benefit these Countries may reape by the said Trade; which the better to vnderstand, we must [Page 14]know, wherein the greatest part of the riches thereof consisteth, which is gotten therein by Spaniards.
Secondly, by what meanes we may reape part thereof by Gods help, and hope of good successe.
Lastly, what furtherance, strength, and power these vnited Netherland Prouinces, and what good successe the partners therein may thereby obtaine.
The common opinion is, that the greatest riches of that Trade consisteth in gold and siluer Mynes, which are in West India: but it is not so; for the greatest riches at this time consisteth in the seuerall sorts of Fruites, and other things that grow therein, as Sugar, Ginger, Indico, Cocheuille, and other drugs, as also diuers kinds of wood, hides, pearles, and precious stones: and likewise in diuers sorts of Manufactures that are caried thether, whereby the Marchants, Saylers, Pesants, and most part of other Handy-crafts men liue. The gold and siluer hath beene a great profit vnto the King, when the Spaniards first entred into those Countries, where they found great quantity of gold, that had beene gathered together by the Indians in a long time: for the which, some millions of poore innocent men, lost their liues in the Mynes, so that the gold at this time is much wasted away, and no more found in so great quantity, and the greatest riches at this day consisteth in the Wares aforesaid that are caried to and fro.
To shew this, I wil make no long discourse of the riches, (that besides gold and siluer) come out of the West Indies, but onely speake somewhat of Brasilia, wherein there is no Mynes of gold nor siluer, but onely Sugar, Cotton wooll, Brasill wood, Conserues and Ginger: but Ginger may not be brought out of Brasilia into Spame, because they of St. Domingo, (who for the most part get their liuings thereby,) may not be impouerished. Yet the trade in Brasillia is one of the profitablest trades in West India, whereby the Portugales get most profit, and where they (now they are [Page 15]almost bereft of Guinia and the East Indies, or at least get little by them) maintaine their Trade. For out of Brasillia yearely one with another, there is brought betweene 40. and 50. thousand Chests of Suger, which may be valued (2. third parts being white, and but 1. third part browne Suger) at 25. pounds Flemish the Chest, then say it were 40. thousand Chests, and each Chest but 20. pounds Flemish, it amounts to 800. thousand pounds Flemish, which is 48. Tonnes of Golde, not reckning Brasill wood, Cotton wooll, and other wares, which also are of great value: and then the manufactures & other wares, that are carried out of Portugal thether, which also amount vnto asmuch as the Suger. It is true, that there is much mony also carryed thither out of Portugal, but that is by reason that there is no other manufactures vsed there, then such as the Portugales themselues haue need of, but their Slaues, which are many thousands, haue nothing, because most of them goe naked, and so get nothing else but their paines for their labours, and of the wilde Brasillians they get no aduantage thereby, because they esteeme not of the vse thereof. Where to the contrary, if we were there, we would get great furtherance and aduantage also by our labours, and thereby trade would bee much increased. By this you may easily perceiue, what great riches the wares of West India altogether amount vnto, as also what the wares that are carryed thither doe yeeld. For in Noua Spania and Perto, in some places there are some Indians that are polliticke and weare cloathes as we doe. And if the Spaniards, by meanes of their great strength, had not for the most part rooted out the Inhabitants, where they command, without doubt, they should haue reaped more furtherance thereby, then now they doe, for that the Indians would haue growne more ciuill and politicke, and to enioy the fruits that proceed from labour, would haue addicted themselues to labour. But now those Countries for the most part are vnpeopled of their naturall Inhabitants, and those that still remaine therein, are had in such subiection that they haue neither [Page 16]hearts nor wills, but had rather dye, then liue vnder their gouernment. Thus I haue sufficiently shewed, wherein the riches of the West Indian trade most consisteth, that is in the Wares and Marchandizes which are in those Countries, and other Countries haue not, yet Golde and Siluer is not amisse therewith to encrese and augment the Trade.
The meanes to bee perticipants in this Trade, is to erect some Colonies there, and the better to doe the same, we must suffer the West Indian Company to proceed in their Trade.
For as in the Article of the Truce it was agreed, that wee might trafique and trade in all places, Hauens, and Townes, that were not vnder the King of Spaines command, then thereby we are free to deale in Terra Florida, the Antilles, the whole Sea coast of Guiana: a great part of Brasillia, and so forth to the Sraights of Magellanes; being 500. miles, where the Spaniards haue no commaund, but onely in Rio de la Plata, and further through the straight De la Maere in the rich Countrey of Chili, and many other Countries and Ilands lying in the South Sea. I speake not of the great riches, that are to be found inward in the Land, which haue aboundance of Gold, and other costly Wares and Marchandizes, the people whereof are somewhat polliticke, to whom the Spaniards can haue no accesse, where wee in time might obtaine their good wills: in which Countries wee might erect our Colonies, and by that meanes trafique there, and without doubt better, conueniently, and with more profit then the Portugals and Castellians doe. But to tell what places at the first, were fittest to place our Colonies in I thinke it not conuenient, for that were a meanes to some to Discouer our intent, and thereby the Spaniards might bee forewarned.
Now if certaine Colonies were erected, by that meanes we would get the most part of the Trade & Trafique in the West Indies into our hands, by reason that we can sell and afford all Manufactures a hundred for one, better cheape then the Spaniards can doe, and those Wares that come out of India are [Page 17]better cheape vnto vs 50. in the hundred, then vnto them, because they stand vs in so much more, before we can bring them out of Spaine hither, and further our Countrymen by their industry and labour, would aduance themselues more then the Spaniards.
We must not likewise bee perswaded, that the Spaniards doe possesse and inioy all the fruitfullest places in the West Indies, and that there is none resting which they haue not in their hands which are good, temperate, fruitfull, and conuenient to dwell in, and to reape profit from thence, for wee know that continually hee maketh warre to winne some of them, which otherwise, by reason of the vnfitnes of his great Ships, can not by him be well found out, as also by meanes of the resistance, which the Indians there make against him, some of them are yet vnknowne vnto him.
Besides all this, the West Indies are so great and spacious, that he cannot possesse the same, whereby the fift part of the West Indies, are not yet found out by the Spaniards, neither is the fourth part thereof subiect to to the Spaniards.
Some will make a great doubt in the beginning of these matters, because they are of opinion, that it will bee many yeares before there will be any profit or benefit gotten by this Trade: but they vnderstand it not, for Suger and Ginger are all ready growne, which will be so easily done, that in a yeare and a halfe or two yeares at the most, we shall reape fruites of our Plantation. And when wee haue once begun, it will encrease euery yeare. I say nothing, that there wee may haue Salt, Wood, diuers colours for Dying, Tobacco, and other Wares, where by at the first wee may make some profit, attending more.
If it bee answered, that the Portugales and other Spaniards haue better and fitter meanes thereunto in these Countries then we may haue, for that already they haue some Forts and places in the Countrey; I confesse it, but when they came first thither, then they had not so good meanes nor opportunity, [Page 18]neither for Ships nor other thinges, as we now haue, and the rather, for that those Countries are now as well knowne vnto vs, as vnto them, and wee haue good meanes, out of some places bordering therein, to get and obtaine all whatsoeuer shall be needfull and necessary.
For vs to erect Colonies, which places are not heere to be spoken of, but at the beginning the Spaniard was forced to haue all thinges out of Spaine, that he had need of, Thus I haue sufficiently shewed, that the meanes to make vs paricipants of the West Indian Trade, is that wee must possesse some places therein, with people out of these Countries. Now I will also shew what great furtherance, strength, and commodity these Countries shall thereby obtaine.
To shew this I will not set downe, the Scituation, temperatenes, wholsome ayre, and good and fruitfull grounds, that are in the said West Indies, neither the great store of Riuers, aboundance of foure footed Beasts, Fowles, and Fishes, nor yet at large declare what Wares and Fruits growe there, but in a word I will tell you, that the Countrey is fit and conuenient for planting of Oyle, Wine, Suger, Ginger, Chochenile, Cotton wooll, Indigo, diuers Drugs, and other Fruits, and to be short, all thinges that Spaine and the West Indies yeeldeth vnto vs, and these Countries haue not of themselues, which then necessarily must needs be a rich Trade.
That this Trade, is the richest trade in all Europe, I thinke it is without question, for not onely Spaine getteth great riches thereby, but all Europe also hath profited by the same. The example of the Spanish Marchants may sufficiently proue it, who were wont to haue a great Trade heere in the Netherlands, but when they began to feele and taste, what great commodity the West Indian trade brought vnto them, they left this olde Trade to vs, & wholy or for most part, dealt in their West Indian trade, whereby besides the great imposts and toles that they payed, ordinarily they vsed to get 50. and 100. for a 100. gaines. The Netherlanders that dwelt in Spaine, [Page 19]and secretly had a part in the said gaine, can sufficiently witnes the same, as also the great riches which the Genouesians haue gotten from thence.
The profit that these Countries might reape by our Manufactures, will be more then that the Spaniards reape, because we know that the Wares that are sent from Spaine hither, must cost much custome and charges to be carryed from hence thither. That the Marchant was wont commonly to gaine 20. procento by the same, sometimes more, sometimes lesse. In Spaine when it is brought in, the tolles and other charges amount to 20. procento, and when it is carryed forth, asmuch more, and the charges from Spaine into the Indies are rather more, then from these Countries, and if wee gained no more but that which is spared, by sending the Wares from Spaine thither, it were more then sufficient gaine, and I thinke the Marchants and the West Indian Company heere, would bee well pleased with halfe thereof.
That our Manifacture may well be carried thither also, it is without all doubt, because it is knowne that in times past they were much vsed to be sent thither by the Spaniards and Indians, which now would bee done by those of our Nation that goe to dwell there, to haue them good cheape. And finding the commodity and profit, which they should get by diuers wares comming out of these Countries, (as the like hapneth in Guinea, and heere without question would bee more when they dwelt among vs) then also they would worke, to get something, and to doe it, one would apply himselfe to Till the same, others to worke in the Mines, and Women would spin Cotton wooll, and winde Silke, for that by reason of the warmth of the Countrey, Silke wormes would prosper well there, which Cotton wooll and Silke, might bee brought hither into these Countries, to make Fustians and other Wares, whereby we may see, that the same would yeeld more profit to these Countries then to the Spaniards, and what [Page 20]great furtherance and power these Countries might get thereby.
And for that the Spaniard knowes well, that Trade of Marchandize consisteth in bringing of Wares and Marchandizes, from one Countrey into another, and that it is necessary, that one Countrey should abound in that, whereof the other hath want, Therefore hee will not suffer Oyle nor Wine to be planted in the West Indies, thereby to maintaine Traffique, whereunto wee shall haue much better commodity, then the Spaniard or any Countrey in Europe. For when wee shall plant Vines, Oliue trees, Orange trees, and Suger there, we shall not onely serue the Netherlands, but also other Prouinces and Kingdomes, out of India therewith, in such manner, that by the decay of the Spanish trade, consequently, there must ensue, a great eclipse in the King of Spaines Custome and Treasury, whereof I will speake hereafter.
But to cause the Handicrafts men of these Countries, to haue good vtterance for their wares, and that in great aboundance, there shall no other Manufactures be sent out of these Countries into India, then such as are made heere in these Countries. Whereby, and by other the like ordinances, the said Lands will florish, and be filled with Inhabitants.
For that many Germaines, East Countrey-men, English-men, and diuers Netherlands would come hither, to dwell and place themselues, in these vnited Prouinces, some in one, some in another, where they might best get their liuings; yea, and out of Brabant and Flaunders, many would come hither, to bee released of the Spanish yoake, whereby these Countries would abound with people. And it is credible, that many Thousands out of other Countries, would rather goe with their Wiues and Children into the West Indies, then dwell vnder the Popish Gouernment, for that the voyage being short, it may well bee endured by Women and Children, as many goe from thence into Spaine, and few Fleets goe thether, but they take many women with them; and this in truth [Page 21]were no small benefit, for honest men that feare God, who in time of bad trading, haue no great meanes to maintaine their housholds, to prouide a Countrey for them, where they may in good manner get their liuings, and dwell freely without burthen of conscience, and carne their bread.
That Sea-faring also should hereby be much encreased, and many Saylers thereby made, and still entertained, it may be sufficiently auerred, by that which is formerly set downe, for that if the West Indian Trade for Salt and Hides, which wee haue vsed, hath maintained 100. ships, what would it be when we should Trafficke (besides the Salt) for Sugar, diuers kindes of Wood, Oyle, Wine, and other Wares? This being a voyage but of 4.5. or fixe moneths to & fro, which many times we spend in a voyage to the Straights, or into Spaine, & there would be better allowance then ordinary giuen to common Saylers.
Against this, first it might be alledged, that here in the land we haue not men enough to erect Colonies in India. Secondly, that our Countrey men by reason of the heat in India, are not so able to endure the ayre nor labour, and that by reason thereof, they could not make so much benefit as the Spaniards doe, that doe it onely by their Slaues. Touching the first, it is already parrly answered, by that I haue said before; that is, that by reason of the great Trade, many Marchants & Tradesmen of other places would come hether: whereof some would goe from hence to India; and for such as are fit for labouring, wee shall haue enough out of high Germanie, Denmarke, Eastland, and other Northerne Countries, who for the most part are industrious people, which Countries are tenne times better peopled then Spaine, and there many of the people are so poore, that they cannot liue in worse state (then they doe) by changing their Countrey; besides this, wee might get many Netherlanders out of Spaine, that know what benefit is to be made in India, who also would be willing to goe thether; as also some that are driuen out of Brasilia and [Page 22]the Canarie Ilands; so that we should get men enough out of other Countries, without emptying of these Countries, and thereby we might in a manner haue a two-fold Netherlands, both in East and West India.
Touching the heat, which may be said would hinder vs, to dwell or labour there, shew the contrary thereof, wee neede alledge nothing but experience, which hath taught vs, that the Netherlanders wheresoeuer they come, whether it be in Spaine, the Canaries, Barbarie, Guinea, or the East and West Indies, surpasse all other men in taking paines. And if wee had no other proofe then of the Salt, which is fetcht out of the West Indies in a most hote climate, which as I thinke, is the greatest labour that is in all the world, it were sufficient to proue it, and yet it hath not beene found, that in any ships that sayled thether, they haue euer left any of their men behind them. And those that once sayled thether, haue many times gone thether againe. Wee must also note, that the dayes and nights there, are of an equall length, and that the heat of the day, by reason of the long colde nights is much weakened, as also by meanes of the continuall East windes, which yearely blow there: the greatest labour that is to bee done in the Townes and Sugar Milles, may well bee done in the night time, and touching tilling of the ground, men haue time to doe it from fiue or sixe of the clocke in the morning, till ten of the clocke: and after that againe after noone from three to sixe or seauen of the clocke in the euening, which is eight or nine houres in a day. There also, all the yeare long a man may worke and labour in the fields: but here for the most part we cannot, by reason of the cold and vntemperate weather, the weather also many times is ouercast, and then it is cold there also, and although it raines, yet that raine hinders them not so much, as it doth in cold Countries.
To thinke that the Spaniards with their Slaues, doe more profit by their labour then wee, that also is not so, for commonly men say, that vnwilling Hounds catch bad Hares, and [Page 23]that vnwilling labour brings little profit, when men labour as long as you holde a sticke ouer their backes, all that they doe is without industry, doing like Beasts with great labour: one man of these Countries will rid more worke, then three Moores shall doo, which cost them much money: and when they are vnwilling to labour, either they poyson themselues, or starue for hunger to spite their Masters, as knowing no other meanes to spite and be reuenged on their Masters, but onely to make their masters to loose their money, and by that meanes often times some man that by meanes of his Slaues was rich, in a short time waxeth poore when they dye. And when men looke into the great charges and expences which the Portugales and Spaniards are put vnto in their voyages too and fro, wee must of force confesse, that we giuing great dayes wages, shall get more then they, although they should haue their Slaues and Victuals for nothing.
Heere I would now conclude, if it were not that the great distrust which onely is grounded vpon our small might and power in respect of our mighty Enemy, without any reason, makes you and some others discouraged, as I perceiue by your Letters, therefore to content and satisfie you herein, I will begin somewhat higher, and yet briefly and thereby to gaine better credit, and to make your memory the fresher, I will speake somewhat of our former proceedings, and by a true relation approue it: then I say, touching our weakenesse, in respect of so powerfull an Enemy, wee confesse the same. But we are taught, by the holy Scriptures, That there is no difference with God to helpe men by great forces, or where their is but a small power. 2. Chro. 14.11. That Israell should not brag and say, mine owne hand hath set me free. Iud. 7.2.
So our valiant Ancestors in their greatest need, when the Duke of Alua sought to destroy the florishing Netherlands, had their recourse to the Lord of Sabothes, which is a God of all power, and a protector of those that are oppressed, specially of those that feare him with all their hearts, who therein [Page 24]to this day, neuer failed in their hope, but were graciously comforted. For it is knowne to euery one, how that for the space of 50. yeares together, when all things were at the worst, the Gentlemen destroyed, some principall Lords beheaded, many thousands spoyled, banished, and runne away, the good Inhabitants purses drawne dry, and the good Prince of famous memory gone out of the Countrey: the Spaniards being Masters ouer all the Countrey, so that in mens opinions, we were all in a manner vtterly ouerthrowne, but that God (as I said) put such couragious hearts and constant resolutions into our Ancestors, that they tooke on them to defend the Countrey, with body, liues and goods, against so mighty a Potentate, with constant perseuerance and prouidence, as the truth of the cause (without the which there is no blessing to be expected at Gods hand) on our side required, expecting and hoping that God would send vs a happy issue, as at this day it is manifest vnto all the world, and for the which wee praise God continually.
Now set the present state of the East Indies before your eyes, whereof I haue already spoken, and where wee in the beginning had not one foote of Land, and at this day we haue strong Fortresses, and haue built a good strong Towne, notwithstanding that the Enemy there, farre surpasseth vs for power and force, and the best and greatest Trafficke, as also in Guinia, is now among vs.
Wherefore then should wee doubt, to set a fast and firme foot in West India, where many thousand miles of Land are yet resting, wherein the Spaniards and Portugale neuer dwelt nor Trade, and where there are yet many thousand Indians, desire to haue friendship and alliance with vs, as there are among others the valiant Chilesians enemies to the Spaniards, by whom they were yet neuer wholly ouercome. Thinke you that the Indians that remaine in Perto, Mexico, &c. when they shall haue the least occasion, to make vse of our friendship, that they will neglect or ouer-slip the same? wee hope [Page 25]therefore by Gods blessing and his iust assistance, to haue a happy and good successe in our proceedings.
Besides the estranging of the Indians, by meanes of the sharpe gouernment of the Spaniards, there is another occasion sprung vp, which may cause the Spaniards to doubt, that the Indies shalbe taken from them, if we once set a foot therein, that is, the estranging that springeth from the Marriages that haue there bin made betweene the Spaniards and the Indian Women, and also betweene the Indians and Spanish women, from whence the Mesticos or halfe generations proceed, who esteeme themselues rather to be Indians then Spaniards, and for that cause are more addicted to the Indies their natiue Countrey, then to Spaine.
To giue you a better courage and liking of our West Indian Trade, I will speake something of all the notable Victories that we in former yeares, (by the helpe of God) haue gotten in the East Indies, which I will at large set downe for the honour of God, as also to serue for a testimony of his Fatherly care and fauour towards those, that with all their hearts put their trust and confidence in him.
Andreas de Furtado de Mendoza, Generall of the Spaniards in East India, hauing gathered a great fleet of Ships in Goa, Cochin, and Mallacco, being 30. Ships, whereof 8. were Gallions, and 22. Gallies and Fusts well furnished, determined in Anno 1601. in the month of August, to besiege Bantam both by Water and by Land, there by force to hinder our Trade, but being hindered from the fame by stormes and contrary windes that happened, he arriued before Bantam vpon the 24. of December, the same day that Wolfaret Hermans, with three Holland Ships and two Pinnaces by Gods wonderfull prouidence, also arriued there. It is a common vse among the Netherland ships, that when they haue past the Cape De bona Sperance, they draw in their Ordnance, as thinking them from thence to the Straights of Sunea, to be needlesse to be vsed, and by that meanes had bin likely to haue fallen into the [Page 26]hands of the said Portugall Army, if God (a thing worthy to be noted) had not sent them an vnexpected messenger before hand, that made them acquainted with all that had bin done. This messenger was a man of China, who with his Boate came aboard of those Ships, when they were out of fight of the Portugales, thinking to doe them a speciall pleasure and good seruice, thereby to giue them aduise to shun the danger that they might fall into by meeting with that great Army. Our Ships to whom this message was brought, were called the Gelderland, of 500. Tonnes, the Zealand of 400. tonnes, the Verecht of 260. tonnes, the 2. Pinnaces, the one was 140. tonnes, the other 56. tonnes, which sayled out of the Tessell in Aprill, 1601. who in steed of hoysing vp of their Anckers, God giuing them courage, tooke another resolution, for the Admirall aforesaid, assoone as he vnderstood that newes by the man of China, willed the Anchors to be cast out, and calling the Officers together, after they had made their prayers vnto God, they tooke counsell together what was best for them to doe, for the welfare of their small fleete, for the vpholding in time to come of the East Indian Trade, and for the honour of the Netherlanders: whereupon they fully determined and concluded, that confidering the waightines of the busines in hand, whereon the preseruation of Bantam consisted, or the vtter ouerthrow thereof, whereby it was euident what losse and hindrance the vnited Prouinces might therby reape and sustaine, trusting vnto God for his mercifull ayde, they fully determined valiantly to fall vpon the Portugall army, thereby to driue them from thence, and vpon the same resolution, presently all their Cabbens and other things that might hinder them were puld downe and cast ouer-bord, to the end that when need required, freely vse their great Ordnance, and euery man personally stand to his defence against the enemy as need required; The Ordnance being cleared, and all things ready prepared for such a fight, being set in order, the next morning at two of the clocke before day-light, vpon a signe made by fire, they [Page 27]hoysed vp their anchors, about Sunne rising, being the 25. day of December, and about the same time were in sight of the Portugales, and after they had fought eight dayes together with them, draue them from thence, and forced them to run away, their ships being shot through with the Ordnance, and sixe ships lost, whereof two we tooke, they themselues setting fire on two of them, and two were shot vnder ground, & for our parts lost but one man, but many hurt, and with great honour went backe to Bantam, wherein few dayes they repaired their ships. At this triumphant victory, not onely the Indian Kings and Princes, but also the ghostly Father of his Highnesse, pater Iohn Nay (when he in Anno 1607. was in the Hage) much wondred, and finding occasion to speake with the Generall Wolfart Hermans, he asked him what moued him to be so hardy and bold, to set vpon so mighty a Fleet of ships, which for ships and men was three times stronger then his was, whereby it was apparant, that both he and his men were likely to be spoyled by them. He made him answere, that he was assured of Gods gracious ayde, who endowed them with such manly courage, and that before they would haue permitted the Enemie to bee Masters of them and their goods, they would haue set fire on their powder, and at one instance would haue blowne their Enemies and themselues vp into the ayre. I haue written this battaile somewhat more at large, intending not to make rehearsall of the braue victory gotten by Matelief before Malacca, and of Stephen Verhaghen before Ambyna, &c. because I will bee briefe, the honour onely belonging vnto God, who giueth his seruants couragious harts to effect great matters, and to bring them to passe, to whom be praise and glory for euer Amen.
Lastly, you write that some men that liue here in the Countrey, will be doubtfull to trust their mony in strange elements, where the winde blowes it away, and whereof in long time, men shall not heare againe. All these doubts, by that which is said before, are sufficiently taken away, but to such as haue [Page 28]not read the Letters Patents made and graunted to the West Indian Company, by the generall States, I said, You know how the East Indian Company began particularly without any ayde from the Countrey, and with indifferent benefit, and furtherance to the particular partners, by Gods blessing, still continue the same, whereof the profit would haue beene two times greater, if they had not beene pressed with excessiue great charges, touching warre, for the maintainance of the East Indian Trade, and the defence of themselues and their allies. Whereas the West Indian Company, are graunted a notable ayde to be giuen them by the generall States, in respect of their great charges, for they are promised, that they will defend & protect their Company in their free Sea-faring and Trade, and to that end help them with a sum of money of ten 100. thousand Gilderns, to be payd in fiue yeares, whereof the first 200. thousand Gilderns shall be furnished, as soone as the first payment among the partners shall be made, and when they haue furnished the halfe of the said ten 100. thousand Gildernes, they shall haue their benefit of the gaine and profit as all other partners in the said Company shall haue. And further, when so euer the matter within the limits of the Company, shall proceed to an open war; the States promise to ayde the same further, with twenty Shippes, well mounted and appointed of all things, as also of brasse and other Ordinance, and a conuenient quantity of amunition, together with double sayles, ropes, anchors, and other things accordingly. And that when these Countries are somewhat eased of their great charges which now they are at, and that the said Company should happen to bee put to great charges, by reason of warres, the said Company should haue an amends made them of the said Subsidie, as much as the state of the land would permit. Vpon these benefits and graunts, without doubt many thousands will willingly contribute thereunto, specially when they shall vnderstand, that the Trade to Guinea and to the Salt Countries, is also comprehended in the West Indian [Page 29]Company, which trades yearely haue made good returnes, as I haue already partly shewed, which also will partly lighten the burthen of the Company; whereof when the partners shal be well informed before, wherein (with this discourse I would willingly ayde them) they wil the readilier contribute, which by my selfe I haue found: for being resolued, (for the loue of my Country) to put in a portion, after that I was better informed of the matter, I doubled the same. And this is certaine, that there wil a great number contribute vnto the same, whose hearts are by God stirred vp thereunto, 1 Sam. 10.27. in the register whereof I hope your name will be one, although there shall not want money for the erecting of this notable Company, for the which so many thousand good Patriots the last yeare did long and wish after: for if some particular persons, at their owne costs & charges (as afore-said) in time of warre, raised, furnished & set forward 140. great ships to sayle Southward to Guinea, Cuba, and Espaniola, and still kept them in Trade. How much greater then shall this Fleet be, (by Gods blessing) being endowed with so great furtherances and priuiledges, for the ease & benefit of the partners, by the general States: for the which preparation some other Common-wealths, and many thousands, that are not of the vnited Netherlands, will participate with vs. We must also consider, that for the price that one East Indian ship doth cost to set it out, & in 17. moneths brings home her returne, we may for the mony set out 3. or 4. West Indian ships, with hope of 2. returnes in a yeare, which shippes may also be sent out 12. voyages one after the other, without reparations, which will also ease vs of a great part of our charges. Now to conclude, I must answere you to your proposition, of strange elements, wherby you vnderstand, that we should both lose our capitall & benefit all together. In trusting to the venture of the Seas, I beleeue the last well, but that we should lose both capitall and profit by this Fleet, I hope that God will neuer permit it, but those that deliuer out their moneyes for firme rents, or for any such pawnes, are not [Page 30]they sometimes subiect to such chances, specially in time of warre: yea, and in time of peace it often times falls out, that the honours in twenty yeares doe not receiue their principall money layd out for their deare bought lands, where men in time of warre, by the Indian Trade, haue receiued fiue or sixe principall stockes, by the Spanish Trade men in time of peace yearely gayned 20. pro cento, when their Trade prospered, which profit the Indians and other Marchants, also in time of warre; by other Countries (as I said before) got out of Spaine, and yet get alwayes the returne that shall come out of the West Indies, will farre surpasse others, when wee shall haue planted some Colonies there (as wee hope we shall) and it is apparant, that many thousand Indians, will ioyne with vs, and deliuer the hill of Potosy and other places, (where the Mynes of gold and filuer are) vnto vs: yet if this at the first will not fall out so, wee will gladly content our selues with the other rich commodities and great blessings, which it shall please God to send vs, wherewith those Countries aboue all others are richly furnished, as we at large haue already shewed.
This is that which I thought good to write, for an answere vnto your questions afore-said, and other doubts by you made, nothing doubting but that all good Patriots, that defire the good, benefit, and prosperity of our natiue Country, will not at any time take on them, with a good conscience, to speake or giue counsell to leaue off the East and West Indian Trades, that wee may hold and enioy an vncertaine Spanish Trade, not that wee doe not in any sort long and wish after a godly, vpright, generall, and continuall peace: but because we desire not vnder the shew thereof, to be deceiued. Alwaies the necessity of the said Indian Trades, for two reasons is specially thought conuenient. The first, that the free Netherlands confidering their cituation, and the manner of liuing vsed by the Inhabitants thereof, cannot continue in their flourishing state and welfare, wherein (notwithstanding the warre) they now are, if their Ships, rich Hauens, and Seafaring [Page 31]men, and rich Marchants Towne, haue not free Trade and trafficke at Sea. The second considering the King of Spaines might and riches, in all respects, the Netherland Prouinces must be perswaded, that there is no better meanes in the world to be found, whereby to be released of that continuall feare, then to vndermine the foundation of his great riches to bereaue him of a good deale of his East and West Indian Trade, In such manner, that by meanes of the fire in the East and West Indies so kindled, the Spaniards shall in such manner decline, that all the world shall warme it selfe by that fire, for that the Marchants thereby, vpon the eclipse of the Spanish Trade, will disburse no money before hand.
And although the first necessity of the Trafficke beyound Seas, may be some be contradicted and answered in this manner, that it followeth not thereupon, that we must of force Trafficke into India, but rather if we haue peace, we might againe haue and vse our olde Trade into Spaine, whereunto, although before I made answer to the same, yet for some pregnant reasons, I will againe repeat them, that it may the better be vnderstood, and briefly said, First that the Spanish Trade, can not be assured vnto vs, for that the Spaniards by a hundred wayes will finde meanes (whereunto they will not want pretences) to make it vnprofitable for vs, as by his Impositions, Toles and Proclamations, as of late yeares it appeared. Secondly, it is altogether dangerous, for that if the Enemy hath any great enterprise in hand, by that meanes (wee hauing put our selues into the hands and power of our reconciled Enemy,) he may not onely haue many hundred thousand meanes to hinder vs, but ayde himselfe by our Ships, Ordinance and Saylors in great numbers, to our great detriment, which Spanish Trade also, notwithstanding, in time of Warre, by meanes of the English and Frenchmen, we haue vsed with indifferent good gaine; therefore it is altogether to be disliked, and not conuenient for vs, vpon such tearmes to treate with the Spaniard.
But now my Lords the States generall vpon premeditated ripe deliberation and good aduise, (without doubt by the good prouidence of God) haue generally graunted the West Indian Trade to goe forward, and haue endowed the same with notable priuiledges, whereunto many good Patriots according to their meanes, haue willingly begun to contribute. The Spaniards will not cease to vse a thousand practises, to frustrate and make voyde the said States good resolutions, either by some Marchants or other Fauorites, whom they will seeke to stroake with the golden staffe of Peru, yet with those that are good and honest, to no end, who for no worldly respect will be moued vnto so hurtfull and dishonorable resolution, being assured, that at the last, thereby will ensue the subuersion of this great state, and consequently of all their Allies and adherents.
But now some men will say, that wee ought to keepe in our Countrey, without seeking to extend our commaund by Colonies beyond the Seas, that wee may keepe and defend that we haue. That is but a bad counsell, for his power, by our Trade in East India (as aforesaid) is much decayed, and if God (whom we must pray vnto for that grace) will giue vs a good successe in the West Indies, hee will without doubt desire Peace with vs, which for our security hee will religiously keepe and maintaine, onely not to lose a great part of his Indian reuenue, whereunto we haue good hope, for the reasons before, at large by vs set downe.
Then hauing shewed, how these Countries, by the trade beyond the Seas, (by Gods blessing) haue euen in the middle of their Wars encreased in Trade, people, & wealth, (which are the Sinewes of this Common-wealth) so wee must confesse that the East Indian Trade, hath wrought two notable effects. It hath increased the meanes of our natiue Countrey, with no small decreasing of the Spanish Trade in East India. For the which, God is eternally to bee praised, and hauing also shewed, that yet better successe by the West Indian Trade, is (by [Page 33]Gods blessing) to be expected. Then all good Patriots ought to encourage one the other, (seeing that they cannot better imploy their money, for more and greater reputation for the Countrey then so) liberally to contribute their money for the setting forth of this Fleet in 3. payments, whereof the first shall be payed the last of Nouember, which next vnto God, will be a soueraigne meanes to holde the Enemy in ballance, and keepe vs and all our neighbours and friends, in peace without any feare, if in mans Iudgement and consideration, there be any security to be had.
Tu conclude, I beseech God, to be pleased to hold his Holy hand ouer this Fleet, and to strengthen it with his ayde, and so to direct it, that thereby our Enemies may be weakened and ouerthrowne, and wee strengthned and made powerfull, and yet neuerthelesse not to embolden our selues vpon our owne power, but onely to rest vpon God, and with humble hearts and bended knees to thanke him for the same, and commit our selues to his Fatherly protection. Commending the Lords the generall States, his Excellency the Prince of Orange, and all other Noble personages, and valiant Souldiers vnto God.
Vale.
Written in hast the First of September. 1621.
And to shew our Batauiaens in East India, in the beginning haue bin entertained of Kings and Princes, notwithstanding the Portugales and Iesuites, sought to hinder the same, with some of them, by scandalous reports. You may reade the Coppie of a Letter that Signeur Arenet ten Grotenhuyse a Marchant and partner wrote vnto Mr. N. N. from Amsterdam, Anno, 1610. the 29. of Iuly, as followeth.
GOod Friend, hauing read the Letters that came out of East India, and examined the Commissioners, I thought good to make you perticipant thereof, which is, that the Admirall Verhoeff thinking it expedient to send two Ships (namely the Lyon with piles, and the Grison, which hee had left there for the Defence of Ihoor) to the Island of Iapan, there to obtaine Licence of the Emperour freely to Trade, and to make a Contract with him touching the same, according to the Letters by the Prince of Orange written vnto the said King, and the instructions of the Partners to that end also giuen. And assoone as those Ships had receiued those Letters and Commission from the Admirall, they hoysed vp their Anchors before Booz and set sayle, holding their course to Pataua, and taking in some Silke, vnwrought, Silke stuffes, and some Pepper, in the beginning of Iune Anno, 1609. they sayled to Iapan, and vpon the First of Inly anchored before the Towne of Firando, lying vnder the height of 33. Degrees, and 20. minutes, where our men were well and friendly receiued and entertained by the Gouernour, and Magistrates of the place, and for that the Gouernour of that part of the Countrey was in fewe dayes after to goe vnto the great Emperour to salute him, (which throughout all the Kingdome once a yeare is to bee done by euery Gouernour) they perswaded our Committee, that hee should also presently goe thither with him, that so the Portugales and Iesuites, that reside in Hagesacke about eighteene miles from Furando, [Page 35]might not preuent them, nor hinder in their sute, which our Committees considering of, made preparation to goe, hauing first gotten letters of commendation from the Gouemour of Furando, and taking some presents with them, set forward on their iourney, accompanied with a Netherlander called Melchior van Sandtuoore, that had dwelt tenne or twelue yeares in that Countrey, and was left of Mahews Fleet, with about ten persons more, and could speake Spanish very well, and also ten or twelue persons of good quality, that were appointed to goe with them, that no hurt might be done vnto them by the way, and so trauailed for the space of 14. dayes by water, and eight dayes on horsebacke by land, about 300. miles, passing through many faire built and well inhabited Townes, where in euery place they were well and honourably entertained, till at last they came to a great faire Towne, wherein the great King or Emperour of Iapan holds his Court, where they presently addressed themselues vnto, and had audience of two great Lords neere attending vpon the King, who forthwith brought them into the Kings presence, and got audience for them, where they were most friendly welcommed and entertained both by the said two Lords, and the King, and hauing shewed the cause of their comming, and businesse with the King, and deliuered the Presents and Letters of Prince Maurice vnto him, the Emperour shewed them a most friendly countenance, telling them, that hee liked well of their comming with their Shippes and of themselues, asking after the manner and cituation of our Countrey, and what manner of man our Prince was, of whom by the men that were of Machiens Ships, he had formerly-heard much speaking, and also had heard of the valour of our men, in the battailes fought by our Ships in India, against the Portugales, specially of those of Malucco, saying that he was sorrie that our Ships arriued not in some Hauen neerer vnto his Court, that he might shew vs greater courtesie, and so graunted vs our request, for free trading and commerse in his Country and whole Kingdome, [Page 36]and for that he vnderstood that no agreement could be made betweene vs and the Portugales, hee graunted vs therefore as free licence to traffique and negotiate in his Countrey, as any of his owne people and subiects haue. Three dayes before the arriuall of our Committees there, some Portugales and Iesuites were come to the Court, vsing all the meanes they could to make vs distastfull to the King, and to hinder vs from hauing accesse vnto the Emperour, but all in vaine; for that bebefore we came, they could get no audience of the great personages, nor yet of the Emperour: and after that our men had beene 10. dayes at the Court, and there seene great magnificence, riches, and glorious shewes, they obtayned lycence of the Emperour to depart, who gaue them an open Letter written vnto the Prince of Orange, in Iapan language, brauely sealed vp, and to the end that wee should know the contents of the said Letter: it was by one of the Iapeners read vnto vs, and put into Dutch by foure or fiue of our Nation, the contents thereof being as followeth, I Emperour and King, &c. our men cannot sufficiently set downe the firtillity and fruitfulnesse of the Countrey, abounding in Rice, Wheat, Goats, a great number of dried and fresh Fish: all kindes of trees, and fruits of the earth, as Apples, Oranges, Lemonds, and many other fruits, which are common with vs. They haue good policy and lawes in their Countrey, they are a kinde of witty and courteous people, amongst them hauing many rich men which are Heathens, onely about Hagesar, where the Portugales dwell, there are some Christians. This land buyeth many kinde of Manufactures of our Countrey, and hath good store of gold and siluer, many rich Mynes of Copper, and still more and more are found: the Emperours reuenew of Gold and Rice is innumerable, our men vnderstood by those of Iapan, and also by the Netherlands, that the Tower in the Castle was full of Plate, Gold and Siluer, in such great pieces, that ten men could hardly lift them.
They also said, that the Countrey lyes much more Northerly [Page 37]then it is set downe in our Cards, and that it reacheth about 23. degrees, and 48. minutes more Northerly, it is full of diuers Townes; so that as you trauell through the Countrey, euery three or foure miles you shall finde a Towne, besides the Villages that lie betweene them. It is full of hills, which from the bottome to the top are fruitfull, as also faire flat valleyes, many riuers, ponds and pooles. The Emperour hath 66. Kings vnder him, hee is a man of about 60. yeares old, and two yeares agoe hee caused his sonne to be crowned, which hath his Court at Eden, lying vpon a faire riuer, about three miles broad.
And so hauing beene tenne dayes in the Court, they went againe to their Ship lying at Firando: and after they had there hired a house for our men, vpon the 1. of October Anno 1609. they departed from thence, leauing one Iaques Phillips there for their chiefe Marchant, one vnder Factor, and three more, in all fiue persons, with an indifferent stocke: and from thence set sayle for Pataua, where they tooke in more Pepper, raw Silke, and Silke Clothes, and with it returned home into the Netherlands, arriuing heere with all their men whole and sound vpon the 20. of Iuly, hauing lost but three men that were sicke and dyed in the voyage, from Iapan hether, &c.