Seventhly: that we have employed, from time to time, in said ships, a great number of seamen and soldiers, so that we had last year 9,000 men, and now, at present, full 15,000 in our service; whereby the people were wonderfully benefited; many experienced pilots formed, and so many educated, that the country can always find fit persons to be employed on board its ships as chief and subordinate officers. Eighthly: that we have victualled the aforesaid ships, some for 12, some for 15, and even many for IS months and more. Ninthly: that we have provided our ships so well with heavy guns, that we had, last year, on board our marine, full 264 metal pieces, amongst which were many demi-carthouns and ;

nearly 1400 heavy swivels (gotelingen), which number is much increased this year, so that we have at present over 400 metal pieces on board of our ships, and over 2000 swivels (gotelingen), besides pedereros to the number of far beyond 600. And finally: that we have provided them with a great quantity of powder, mostly manufactured in this country, so that we have expended, this year, on board our ships, over one hundred thousand pounds of powder. From all which it must at once be seen, what trade our equipments have created in this country; how many people we have employed, and with what a remarkable force we have increased Your High Mightinesses' navy, of which Your High Mightinesses can make use in time of need, as the Company's aid, without boasting, was particularly well timed in the last public difficulties. It is now to be further considered what wealth these, our ships, have brought into this country. First: omitting what has been imported these previous years in course of trade in gold, elephants' teeth, pepper, hides, peltries, timber, salt and such like; the silver, coined and in bars, received in the beginning of this year, in consequence of the capture of the fleet from New Spain, amounted to so great a treasure, that never did any fleet bring such a prize to this, or any other country.