First, to understand, on this occasion, from us, what secret negotiations were going on with France; for he began his conversation with an expostulation, saying that we had, in appearance, fully communicated to his Majesty the subject of the embassy to France, but that we had carefully withheld the most essential point thereof from his Majesty; that all the world was aware, that greater matters had been treated of than had been communicated to his Majesty; that in the time of Queen Elizabeth, we would have been more careful, &c. We answered, ' Aengeteyckende is the Dutch word; it is doubtless an error for ongeteeckend, unsigned, which is the word used in the Ambassador's next despatch. -- Ed.

54 NEW- YORK COLONIAL MANUSCRIPTS. that Mr. Vosbergen was not charged with what, report says, has since been negotiated with France; that we had no knowledge in the world of it; that being, apparently, matters concerning the direction of the war, his Majesty had no reason to take it ill, that it was kept secret until completed; with which answer the Secretary seemed somewhat satisfied. The second reason why he wished to speak to us on the delivery of the answer was, we think, to communicate to us, in addition, the internal meaning of the answer; namely, that the intent is, that like satisfaction shall be given by parties on both sides for everything; that is to say, satisfaction shall be given for what passed at Amboina; otherwise, we cannot expect that any regard will be paid to our complaints for, indeed, matters here are so situated ;