Page:Early voyages to Terra Australis.djvu/202

 54 EXTRACT FROM THE

goods which they seem most greedy after at so high a value that none may be sold, nor bartered without great profit. Likewise take nothing but what you are convinced will turn out profitable to the Company, which in trading you will learn. It will be particularly necessary to bring samples of the most rare things to be found there, and of all the rest exact account, to see what returns from thence can be made, and for the future may be serviceable.

You are prudently to prevent all insolences and mal- treatment of the ship's crew against the discovered nations, and to take care by no means to insult them, in their houses, gardens, ships, possessions, nor women, etc. Likewise not to carry away any inhabitants against their will, but if a few voluntarily should be inclined to go along with you, then you are permitted to bring them to this place.

"We have herein expressed in general our intentions re- specting the voyage you are to undertake, but as upon all that may occur no precise orders can be given, we leave the rest to your zeal, vigilance and good conduct, likewise to the council's prudent dispositions, in a full hope and confi- dence you will in this expedition be so vigilant as to succeed to the service of the Company, when we will not be back- ward to recompense your endeavours as you may merit ; for if in this voyage are discovered any countries, islands or pas- sages profitable to the Company, we promise you by this to reward the conductors and well-behaving ships' crew, with such premiums as we shall find their good service to have merited, upon which you all may depend. Likewise you are to fix a competent premium to those who first shall per- ceive an unknown country, island, shoal, rock, or dangerous foul ground, in order to avoid as much as possible all mis- fortunes.

To prevent any other European nation from reaping (perhaps) the fruits of our labour and expences in these dis- coveries, you are everywhere to take possession, in the name