and pursuant to the commission of the
Worshipful Governor-General Jan Pieterszoon Coen, sent out to India by
their High Mightinesses the States-General of the United Netherlands, and
by the Lords Managers of the General Chartered United East India Company
established in the same, will, by solemn declaration signed by the ships'
councils, take formal possession, and in sign thereof, besides, erect a
stone column in such places as shall be taken possession of; the said
column recording in bold, legible characters the year, the month, the day
of the week and the date, the persons by whom and the hour of the day
when such possession has been taken on behalf of the States-General above
mentioned. You will likewise endeavour to enter into friendly relations
and make covenants with all such kings and nations as you shall happen to
fall in with, and try to prevail upon them to place themselves under the
protection of the States of the United Netherlands, of which covenants
and alliances you will likewise cause proper documents to be drawn up and
signed.

All such lands, islands, etc. as you shall take possession of in the
fashion aforesaid, you will duly mark in the chart in their true
latitude, longitude and bearings, together with the names newly conferred
on the same.

In virtue of the oath of allegiance which each of you generally and
personally has sworn to the Lords States-General, to His Princely
Highness and the Lords Managers, none of you shall be allowed to retain
for his private use or to abstract any written documents, journals,
drawings or observations touching this present expedition, but every one
of you shall be bound on his return hither faithfully to deliver up the
same without exception.

According to the written statements of Jan Huygen [*], and the opinion of
sundry other persons, certain parts of this South-land are likely to
yield gold, a point into which you will inquire as carefully as possible.

[* _Scil_. Van Linschoten.]

For the purpose of making a trial we have given orders for various
articles to be put on board your ships, such as ironmongery, cloths,
coast-stuffs [*] and linens; which you will show and try to dispose of to
such natives as you may meet with, always diligently noting what articles
are found to be most in demand, what quantities might be disposed of, and
what might be obtained in exchange for them; we furthermore hand you
samples of gold, silver, copper, iron, lead and pearls,