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 ;

that we are in great doubt whether or not we shall press for his Majesty's declaration, that your High Mightinesses' subjects shall be at liberty to bring their captured prizes in and out again of his Majesty's harbors; for we know, that so long as this stumbling block be not removed, every thing shall turn to our prejudice. Regarding the Amboina affair: whilst it pleased your High Mightinesses to commit the direction tliereof to his Lordship the Prince of Orange and some of the members of your High Mightinesses Assembly, we repeatedly wrote on the subject to the Prince and represented at full length and breadth, in what position the affair, in our judgment, stood here. Your High Mightinesses will please to remind the gentlemen to whom this affair was committed, to prosecute the aforesaid affair with all diligence; for otherwise, more or less danger is to be expected from this quarter. We send your High Mightinesses, herewith, copies of said proposal and answer. The aforesaid answer did not contain any mention of the trial of Captain le Clercq. Apparently from considerations before mentioned, this affair was dragging along to the exceeding great inconvenience of your High Mightinesses' subjects who, meanwhile, dare not approach his Majesty's harbors with their prizes; whereby many, either through stress of weather, have perished, or through inability to wait for a convoy, have fallen into the enemy's hands; as has happened, even within four days, to a certain privateer who had a good prize with him ; understanding, off Plymouth, that Captain le Clercq's ship lay there still seized, he dare not enter the harbor, and both ship and prize fell into the hands of 4 Dunkirkers.