ned in this interrogatory. Being asked if the kings of
Tidore and Terrenate were at peace, and how and under what conditions,
for how long a time, and who intervened in forming the peace--he
answered that it is a matter of public knowledge in this region that
they have not made peace or amity, but that both kings are at war.
When asked what goods they have in the factory on this island of
Tidore, what amount of cloves is due to them, who they are who owe the
Dutch, and how many the king owes--he answered that the goods which
they have in the factory are bales of cloth--such as fine muslins
and linens, gauzes [_word illegible_] and iron. This declarant knows
that the king of Tidore owes the factory a great amount of cloves,
and that some of the people of Tidore likewise owe some. He refers to
the accounts of the factor. Being asked who or which of them keeps
the book of accounts and reckoning of the factory, that he might
exhibit it, he answered that the factor, named Jacone Joan, had it,
and he referred to him.
Being asked with what intention they remained in these islands, when
they expected to leave them, and whether they intended to maintain
a permanent trade there--he responded that this declarant and his
companions remained in order that commerce with the people of Tidore
and Terrenate might be opened, and that they were waiting for ships
from Olanda in which a commanding officer and troops would come to
remain as colonists and inhabitants, like the Portuguese, and to
carry on commerce with the islands from Olanda and Jelanda. And this
is his answer.
Being asked what offer they had made to the kings of Terrenate and
Tidore as to aiding and assisting them against the Spaniards: he
answered that the king of Tidore had agreed with the commander that if
the Spaniards came with such a fleet that he would be unable to resist
them he would be obliged to yield the country; and by consequence,
if the Dutch had a force sufficient to take it from the Spaniards or
Portuguese, he was not sufficiently powerful to defend the country
against them. He knew that the commander had written to Java that
six vessels which he had been informed were to go to Java should come
here; after this had been done, the said commander went back to Patan,
but the ships had not come. This declarant does not know that more
vessels have arrived or set out than the five of which he has spoken.
Being asked if they expect any ships, how many there
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