The English who go within range of the Flemish factories are
having fierce engagements and wars with them, according to the news
received. It has been learned from some that they [i.e., the English]
wish to ally themselves with us, so that we may together attack the
Flemish. Although I am not in relations with those people, they pledge
that those who do not confederate with them they will not fail to
regard as enemies. Meanwhile, there is no permission from your Majesty
to trade here; nor do they render the submission due, and which should
be assigned to them. Still, so that we may proceed in the service of
your Majesty with greater certainty, I entreat that you will have sent
to me the order that I am to observe in this, as well as toward some
Dutch prisoners who are here; it does not seem proper for me to put
them to death, as that would be in so cold blood, and it is even less
so to trust in those who desire liberty for themselves and evil for us.
The king of Terrenate is also a prisoner here, and is causing expense
to your Majesty, and anxiety to those who guard him. In my opinion,
I do not know whether he can do us more harm, if he was in his own
country, than that which his son is causing us, who possesses the
country and has allied himself with the Dutch. On the other hand,
the king might cause revolt among themselves and their vassals, if
he tried to dispossess his son of the government, since the king is
so offended and so angered as he is with the ill-treatment that he
has experienced from his son.
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