Tweede scheeps-togt, van de Engelse Oost-Indische Maatschappy, onder den Hr. Hendrik Middleton, generaal,...

following the promise of Captain Drake, had expected some English troops, some ships arrived that we had indeed hoped would be English, but it turned out quite differently, so that, beyond all hope of being helped by the English nation, we were compelled to write to the Prince of Holland and to request help and assistance against our old enemies, the Portuguese Portugijſſen; who then, at our request, sent his troops here and drove the Portuguese out of all the forts they had on Amboyna and Tydor. That now your Majesty Majeſteyt has sent me a very polite and friendly letter through your servant, Captain Hendrik Middleton, gladdens us not a little, and as Captain Hendrik Middleton was desirous to leave a factory a trading post here, we were inclined to do so, but the Captain of the Hollanders, having heard that, came to remind me of the fulfillment of my promise, which I had made in writing to the Prince of Holland, to wit, that if he were to send me so many auxiliary troops that the Portuguese were driven out of these regions, no other nation besides them should trade there; thus, against our intention, we were compelled to grant the request of the Dutch Captain for this time, which we request that His Highness be pleased to forgive us, and if anyone of your nation comes here hereafter, he shall be welcome to us; and although the head of the Hollanders requests us not to keep friendship with your nation and not to pay heed to the letters of Your Highness, yet because of their manner of dealing, if it pleases you to send here again, you shall be welcome to us; we send as a token of our friendship, which we request from your Majesty, a small remembrance, a bale of cloves Baal Kruydnagels, as our land is poor and produces no better merchandise, which we pray Your Highness to be pleased to accept graciously.