According to the written statements of Jan Huygen [*], and the opinion of
sundry other persons, certain parts of this South-land are likely to
yield gold, a point into which you will inquire as carefully as possible.
[* _Scil_. Van Linschoten.]
For the purpose of making a trial we have given orders for various
articles to be put on board your ships, such as ironmongery, cloths,
coast-stuffs [*] and linens; which you will show and try to dispose of to
such natives as you may meet with, always diligently noting what articles
are found to be most in demand, what quantities might be disposed of, and
what might be obtained in exchange for them; we furthermore hand you
samples of gold, silver, copper, iron, lead and pearls, that you may
inquire whether these articles are known to the natives, and might be
obtained there in any considerable quantity.
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