Chap.IX. A Defcripion 0/ CEYLON- 685 
Alliances with all the Indian Kings and ruining that of the Portugucfcs in thofe 
Princes, as they thought moft expedient parts. Baldauu 
for the fettling of their Commerce, and \^^/ X. 
CHAP. IX. 
Letters from the States-General of //^^ United Provinces, rfW Fr/we Maurice, 
fent ^Marcellus de Bofchhouwer to the Emperor of Ceylon. 
TH E Letters from their High and 
Mightinefl'es, and his Highnefs the 
Prince of Orange^ to the Emperor of 
Ceylon^ were as foUoweth. 
" other Superior Power, with whom we 
have any Commerce and that your 
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Emperor of 
Ceylon. " 
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Mojl Potent King I 
IT has pleafed the Almighty God 
through his Mercy fo to blefs our 
Arms, taken up for the maintaining 
of the Rights and Privileges of our 
Native Country againft the King of 
Spain and Portugal^ that after a bloody 
War carried on 42 years fuccelTively 
both by Sea and Land, the faid King 
being convinc'd of our Unanimity, 
Power and Conftancy, fupported by 
the Strength of our Friends and Neigh- 
bouring Allies, has thought fit to make 
us the fame Offers, for which we 
had been oblig'd to commence a War, 
viz.. to declare us a free People, in- 
dependent from his Power-, and that 
he was inclined to enter upon a Treaty 
of Peace or Truce with us for a con- 
fiderable number of years. Which 
Offers (after mature deliberation) 
having been accepted by us, a Treaty 
was fet on foot accordingly with the 
faid King of Spain and Portugal., which 
being brought to a Conclufion the 9th 
of Jpril laft pafl, a Truce was agreed 
upon for 12 years next enfuing, by 
virtue whereof ail the Subjefts of this 
State are not only at liberty to carry 
on their Traffick, Commerce or Na- 
vigation in all the Kingdoms and 
Countries where they ufcd to enjoy 
the fame before the War, but alfo 
in all other Countries, Kingdoms or 
Princes, and v^ith all other Nations 
or Provinces without exception i and 
with this Provifo, that neither the 
King of Spain and Portugal, nor his Offi- 
cers and Subjeds, fliall in refped of 
this Traffick hitherto carried on, or 
to be carried on for the future, raolefl 
or be troublefome ( either diredly or 
indirciftly) to our Subjeds, or thofe 
belonging to any King, Prince, or 
Vol in. 
Majefly, as well as all other Kings, Prin- 
" ces, States and Nations, as well in the 
" Indti's as in other parts, fhall be compre- 
hended in the faid twelve years Truce, 
and not be molefted or attacked on ac- 
" count of their Friendfhip and Com- 
merce with us. But if (contrary to 
" our Expedation, and the folemn Pro- 
" mife made by the King of Spain and For- 
" tugal, confirm'd by his Hand and Seal ) 
" it fnould happen that your Majelly's 
" Subjedls and Countries fhould be in- 
" volved in any Troubles with the faid 
King, either by Sea or Land, by rea- 
fon of their Friendfhip, Alliance or 
Commerce with us, your Majefty may 
reft affur'd, that we fliall want neither 
Will nor Power, neither Ships, Am- 
munition nor Forces, as well of our 
own, as of fuch other Kings and Prin- 
ces our Allies, as are Guarantees of 
" the faid Treaty, and have engag'd to 
" fee the fame executed in all its parti- 
" culais, and confequendy in refped of 
your Majefty 's Dominions, as well as 
of all other Countries and Dominions 
both in the Indies, and elfewhere, to 
protedt and defend your Majefty's Do- 
minions and Subjedts againft all Ag- 
greffors, who upon that account fliall 
moleft them. We don't doubt buc 
that fome of the King of Spain and 
Portugal his Creatures and OiBcers 
will be apt to infinuate into your Ma- 
jefty, his Subjeds, and other Kings, 
Princes, Nations and Republicks, a 
quite different Sentiment of the faid 
Treaty. But we affure your Majefty 
by thefe Prelents upon our Faith, vs/ith- 
outany tergiverfation,unto which your 
Majefty and Subjeds, and all other 
Kings, Princes, Nations and States 
may give entire Credit, and deiire 
that your Majefty will be pleafed 
" to rely upon it accordingly, to the 
firm Setttlement of a mutual and good 
" Correfpondency, Navigation and Traf- 
fick betwixt our Subjeds ; we on our 
T 1 1 1 2 " fide 
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