The Accountants can inquire into, and make pertinent report hereupon, according to the evidence of those who are acquainted therewith, so that such collection may be made from time to time, when Brazil is restored, and further abuses therein be prevented at the right time. The required indemnity for damages committed in Brazil by the Portuguese and Rebel inhabitants in sugars, houses, mills, gold, silver, cattle, etc., since the year 1645, estimated by the Directors in the conference with the Ambassador of Portugal, at over one hundred tons of gold, will also help, in its time, as far as its amount goes, to the diminution of the Company's burdens. And the undertaken recovery of Brazil being successful, a portion of the Company's old debt could be paid from this income. But in order to maintain the Company's credit by some provisional payment of the more urgent debts, those of the Provinces might demand five tons of gold in diminution of the arrears of the aforesaid promised subsidy, mentioned. No. 13. And from the stockholders might, also, be demanded a like five tons of gold ; which aforesaid five tons of gold, with the ten before mentioned for the trade, might be raised by an installment

from the stockholders of nine per cent.

HOLLAND DOCUMENTS : III. 221

7. The seventh means is: The prosecution of the Salt trade at Punto del Rey, which might by inductive means, be facilitated by the Spanish plenipotentiaries before the ratification, by our plenipotentiaries, of the Treaty of Peace at Munster ; the rather, as the inhabitants of Spain do not draw any salt from Punto del Rey. It is necessary that the cultivation of wheat and other produce be promoted for the support of the inhabitants and soldiers of Brazil, as soon as any provinces shall be reduced ; and it will be expedient that the Supreme Council be written to immediately on the subject, so as to advance, as much as possible, the cultivation of the soil, according to the previous resolution of the XIX.