Rotterdam dulapan (sembilan) likor hari deri bulan jamadi l-awwal, pada tahun Jim, bijratu 'n-nabi salla Allah 'alaihi wa 's-sallama, sa-ribu dulapan puloh genap
De Capn-Laut van Buton.
This letter is to indicate sincerity and friendship from your affectionate friend Kichili Jingalawu, the Captain Laut of Buton, sending many greetings to my affectionate friend Heer Gouverneur General Johan Maetsuijker, who maintains the authority of the Company in the city of Batavia, directing all the work of the Company and all his friends the rajas below the wind; to whom it has been granted by God (to Him be praise and be He exalted) to have increasing prosperity in this world, and whose heart is enlightened, and from him proceeds all good understanding and wise counsel, and who helps those who are in trouble and who knows mens' bearts, and he is renowned among the people above the wind and those below the wind, who praise his intelligence, moreover he is wise and prudent, and it is be who establishes the faithfulness of his promises with all the rajas and will never more change them; thus may God extend to bim life and safety and blessing, in order that we may be friends. Teruati and Buton with the Company, that we may never be separated for ever. After that, your friend the Captain Laut informs the Gouverneur General that when I was sent by my friend the Raja of Buton I accompanied His High- ness the Sultan of Ternati, and we went together with Admiral Cornelis Speelman to Macassar, in order that I might do our business; but the Captain Laut informs you that when the power of the Company together with the power of God should have completed our business, it was the intention of the Captain Laut to show his face to the Heer Gouverneur General, to satis- fy his heart. But just now the admiral has returned to Jakatra, and only my lord the Raja of Ternati remains at Macassar; so your friend the Captain Laut remains with my lord the Raja of Ternati. Another matter: the Raja of Buton has gone back to the mercy of God, returning whence he came, leaving the world to appear in the presence of the land of the hereafter. It is on this account that your friend the Captain Laut did not manage to go to Jakatra to show his face to the Heer Gouverneur General at
