ountersigned by J. Melander; its tenor
is as follows. [30])

Mauricio, Prince of Orange; Count of Nasau, Catzenelleboghen, and
Bietz; Marquis of Veer and Flissinge; governor, captain-general,
and admiral of the United Provinces of Flandes, etc.: To all who see
or hear these presents, our affectionate greeting, etc. Whereas, in
order to contract friendship with certain foreign nations and kingdoms,
and for many other considerations, we have seen fit to send a goodly
number of vessels, in good order and well equipped, to the coasts
of Asia, Africa, and America, and the islands of Eastern Yndia, to
make treaties and carry on trade with the subjects and inhabitants
thereof; and because we have been informed that the Spanish and
the Portuguese are hostile to the subjects of these provinces, and
obstruct their navigation and commerce in those parts, contrary
to all natural right of all cities and nations; we have found it
necessary to entrust, to certain valiant and experienced captains,
the task of executing this our intention. Being well-informed of the
fidelity and experience of Esaias de Lende, we have appointed him
captain of the ship named "La Concordia," of about fifty toneladas
register, with very detailed and explicit orders to go to the said
islands, to resist and make war on, and to harm and injure as far
as possible, all the said Spanish and Portuguese, and any others
who attempt to obstruct them in their duties, and in the performance
of everything which shall be further commanded by their admiral and
captain-general, Olivier van Noordt. That he may execute this, his
commission and charge, with greater facility and readiness, we have
ordered that he shall raise as many men as he shall deem necessary,
and as shall be entrusted to him by the said admiral. We strictly
order these men to obey and respect the said captain, and to obey all
his orders to them in the name of the said admiral. In everything
else he shall do all that a good and faithful captain is bound and
obliged to do--always excepting that neither he nor any of his men
shall dare to do any harm or injury to the subjects of his imperial
Majesty, or those of the kings of Francia, Anglatierra, Escocia,
Denemarqua, Suedia, and Polonia, or of the princes of the Empire,
[31] or of any other rulers who are friends of these provinces, or
inclined to the true Christian religion. Therefore we request and
require all the said kings and princes, and all other sta