We, therefore, confidently, and of our certain knowledge, do assert, that the entering into a Truce, must be the ruin of this Company; and that your High Mightinesses will for ever lose the fortunate prop of this State, and the great decrease of your hereditary enemy's finances; for, let us by means of commerce be much greater than we can yet imagine, not a straw can the enemy be weakened thereby; nor can the sixth part of our ships be employed; and, consequently, only a small portion of the Seamen kept in service. We cannot oblige tiie Indians to trade with us; nor can we trade with them, without circumspection, if we show ourselves the friends of the Spaniards, and to have intimate relation with them. It were idle to court the Chilians and to spare the Spaniards. In fine, nothing will remain for us, save a meager scum of a well fed body; for the Company will be obliged to sell a great portion of their largest ships and many of their guns, at a heavy sacrifice, and to send the people away empty or sick; and then, nevertheless, to make further reductions. The stockholders will be discouraged; the shares will fall in value; many will sell out; as some have already done, and daily continue to do; even of those who, up to this time, have conferred lustre on this Company. We earnestly trust that neither their High Mightinesses, nor iiis Serene Grace, will suffer this, nor unnecessarily surrender so great an advantage to the enemy; but, rather, that they will adopt a laudable and firm resolution to maintain the Company in their Charter, and aid them in prosecuting the war; and that your Great Mightinesses will, herein, set them an example of zeal equal to what you formerly exhibited.