come to treat with the said captain; and he had not
sent messengers to excuse his inability to come, nor
had he done anything else. Therefore it was proved
that he had entertained them with promises, in order
that he might collect and place in his fort the rest
of his property. Especially was this proved more
conclusively, for on this said day no fishermen had
come, as was their usual custom, to the fleet to trade
their fish. However they had come near to get
their nets and a sort of weir with which they are
wont to catch fish. And although the captain wished
to enter the city and river of Borney, he did not
dare to do so, in order not to violate the order of
the said governor; for he had heard that they would
not neglect to station some scout-boats in Borney with
some culverins and artillery, and that they would
fire at us, and then take flight to the fort which
was reported to have been built. Not being able
to pursue them or attack them, because of having no
commission for it, meant that he would suffer in estimation
and lose reputation among them. This did not
appear desirable to him, so he resolved to send some
soldiers in a light vessel next day, with orders only
to see whether they had the said fort, or had commenced
to build it, in the islets of Polocelemin [32] and
Pangaran, in order to advise his Lordship concerning
it. He resolved to wait several days, in order
to make other inquiries, as he should consider best.
The captain told all those present that they should
examine this resolve to see whether it was proper.
If any other thing could be done or ought to be done,
more befitting his Majesty’s service and that
of the said governor in his royal name, he requested
them to tell him; for if their advice was good he
would accept and act upon it willingly. All of
the above-named answered—not excepting
any point—that nothing better could be done;
that it was very well considered and ordained; that
he should carry out his plan for the examination of
the said islets in order to give his Lordship an account
of them; and that, with this and the inquiries made
by his Grace, he would have done everything to which
his commission obliged him. And it was not at
all fitting to give the Moros any opportunity to say
that we came back to make war upon them, especially
without the orders of his Lordship. I, the present
notary, attest all the above, which occurred as set
down above, witnesses being Father Baltasar de Miranda,
Juan de Santiago, Pedro Granado, the above-named.
The said captain and the other witnesses signed the
same with their names.
Don Juan de Arce Pedro Granado de Aguero
Witness, Baltasar de Miranda Juan de Santiago
Before me, and I attest the same:
Manuel de Caceres, notary