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Willem Henrick, by the Grace of God Prince of Orange and Nassau, Earl of
Catzenellebogen, Vianden, Lingen, Dietz, Meurs, Buren, Leerdam, etc., Marquis of
Veere and Vlissingen, Lord and Baron of Breda, of the City County and Land of Cuyck,
Diest, Grimbergen, Herstal, Cranendoncq, Warneston, ARlay, Noseroy, St. Vrie,
Daesburg, Polanen, Willemstadt, Niervaert, Isselsteijn, Steenbergen, St.
Maertensdijck, Geertruijdenbergh, the Hooghe en Lage Swaluwen, Naeldwijck etc.,
hereditary Viscount of Antwerpen and of Bessan**on, hereditary Marshal of Hollandt,
hereditary Governor, and Stadtholder of Gelderlandt and Earldom Zutphen, Hollandt,
Zeelandt, Westvrieslandt, Uijtrecht and Overijssel, hereditary Captain-General, and
Admiral of the United Provinces. To all who will read this or hear its proclamation, Salute. Also to those of the general chartered West India Company of the United Provinces who have expressed a wish to equip the vessel 'Stadt Leijden', in order to use her to Sail for the West Indies and other parts and coasts, which are contained in the Charter, and in order to carry out this intended voyage with as much security as possible, of necessity have need of a skilled and trustworthy experienced person to be the Captain in charge thereof; to which end they have commended to us the person of Willem Metaleman, petitioning us, and We would aid them in this and all necessities with this Commission. Make it known, that we have taken , in order to further the general traffic and wealth of these countries, similar considerations thereof and also being informed of the ability and devoutness of the aforesaid Willem Metaleman, have appointed and commissioned him as Captain and Master of the aforesaid vessel, resolve and commission him also, under orders and commission to supply the aforesaid vessel with like-minded Officers and sailors, as he will be charged with and as he thinks fit. In the West Indies and on the coasts of Africa as also elsewhere, he will negotiate, traffic and trade, in such a manner as he thinks right and honourable and which is most profitable and according to the orders of the aforesaid Company; and also make it known that on this voyage he shall not attack anyone of such a Nation, Quality, or in whatever Condition he may be, which is in alliance or is friendly with us, unless someone were to try to prevent, in a hostile manner, this voyage, or otherwise rob him or damage him. In this manner we authorize the aforesaid Captain and all subordinate Officers, sailors and soldiers and authorize them to inflict all manner of injury upon all Frenchmen and other enemies of these countries, on water and on land, during the voyage in the West Indies as also on the coasts of Africa and all other places where ye meet them. Excepting that when he shall capture any commodities in this manner and because of the aforesaid reason, he will be obliged to bring it to these lands, to be judged and declared a rightful booty and prize by the Boards of Admiralty, to whom it was brought, as is proper and that he will also do everything within his power as each good and upright Captain and Master is expected to do. Beseeching and asking therefore, of all kings, potentates, princes, republicans and all other persons, of whatever rank, office, and condition he may be, to recognize the aforesaid Willem Metaleman as captain and Master of the aforesaid vessel and to receive him with all possible favour and furtherance, which we would properly earn and recognize, according to his, right, station and quality, do decree and order most expressly that also all lieutenant-colonels and colonels, vice-admirals, captains, commanders and all others who are in service of this country or under our command, to recognize the aforesaid Willem Metaleman as a captain commissioned by us and not only to let him sail, turn about, lie idle and set sail everywhere he shall deem necessary, and also to extend to him all possible pardon, favour and good advancement, which we will in a similar instance, as is done according to his right, station and quality, be prepared to recompense. And as will occur with regard to the one in service of these lands and being under our command. Given in The Hague on 14 November 1675.
Prince of Orange [Wax Seal] By order of His Majesty C. Huijgens |