The meeting of the Plenary Council [*] having been convened by order of
the Lord Admiral [**] to resolve to dispatch the yacht called Duyffken to
the island of Ceram, the Council have drawn up the Instructions
following, which Supercargo Master Claes Gaeff [and] skipper Willem
Cornelisz Schouten will have to act up to.

[* The joint council of all the ships forming the flotilla to which the
Gelderland belonged.]

[** Wolphert Hermanszoon.]

_Imprimis_ he will have to navigate to the island of Ceran, and there
call at the ports or roads following, to wit: Queuin, Quelibara,
Quelilonhen or Goulegoubj [*], and failing these, at certain others where
profitable dealings may be expected...

[* Keffing, Kilwaroc,...Goeli-goeli. These place-names go to show, that
by Ceram are meant the south-eastern extremity of Ceram and the
Ceram-Laut islands.]

_Secondly_, [he will have to inquire] whether there is anything to be had
there besides sago; their way of doing business and in what places; what
commodities had best be sent thither; and to what limits their farthest
navigation extends; also, whether they have any knowledge of Nova Guinea;
whether they have ever sent ships thither, or whether ships from Nova
Guinea have ever come to Ceran. In the island of Banda, actum April the
10th, A.D. 1602, on board the ship Gelderlandt. God send his blessing
unto salvation. Amen.

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