It should furthermore be noted that we are convinced that the west-coast
of Nova Guinea, or the land discovered as far as Lat. 17 deg. 8' South by the
Yachts Pera and Arnhem, forms one whole with the South-land, a point
which in drawing up these Instructions we have taken for granted.
Therefore, if you should find the contrary to be the case, a matter of
which we will by no means deny the possibility, and if the South-land
should by you be found to be an island, you will sail southward along the
coast of Nova Guinea, as far as the 32nd degree S.L., and thence on a
westerly course touch at the eastern extremity of the South-land, which
in January 1627 was discovered by the ship t'Zeepaart. When you shall
have made the South-land on this course, you will run one degree more to
southward near the islands of St. Pieter and Francois, that by so doing
you may obtain full certainty that from that point the coast-line trends
to westward. After which you will run northward again, skirting the
Southland, past de Witsland, as far as Houtman's shoal and furthermore to
33 or 34 degrees, if wind and weather shall permit, returning thence to
Batavia, as hereinbefore mentioned.
|