_Letter from the Governor-General LAURENS REAEL to the Managers of the
E.I.C., May 10, 1617._
...Mr. Cornelis Dedel, LL. D., had by us been dispatched to this place
[*] from the Moluccas, that with two or three yachts and pinnaces he
might proceed to the discovery of the Southern lands, which undertaking
had heretofore once more by order of...Admiraal Verhagen been engaged in
by Jan Rossangin [**]. But when lying at anchor in Amboyna...Dedel's
ships were employed on other services. [***]
[* Reael was then staying in Banda.]
[* This almost certainly refers to the voyage of 1605-6 under Willem
Jansz. and Rosengein.]
[* Although, as we see, the project was not carried into execution, I
have thought it good to print the above documents, because they bear
testimony to the earnest intention of the Dutch authorities in India once
more to undertake the discovery of the "South-land" (at the same time the
matter was by no means lost sight of in the Netherlands, as is proved by
a resolution of the Managers of the E.I.C., of October 1616); [and]
because document C in the text is _presumably_ fresh evidence for the
voyage of 1605-6.]
* * * * *
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