真‧與荷蘭守將書
下文是1661年5月24日鄭成功給揆一的信，收錄於熱蘭遮城日誌中，1889年時甘為霖翻譯的英文版。對照連橫的〈與荷蘭守將書〉，其實也不能說連橫的完全是創作。例如連橫版開頭的「執事率數百之眾，困守城中，何足以抗我軍？而余尤怪執事之不智也」，在原文中其實也在開頭 (”You Dutch people, a few hundreds in number, how can you carry on war against us, who are so powerful by our numbers? ”)。所以我想連橫在「創作」時，應該還是有所本的。不過連橫省略掉一大堆東西又無中生有好多話倒是真的。最具爭議的「然臺灣者，中國之土地也，久為貴國所踞」，親愛的國姓爺在此完全沒提到。鄭成功在這封信之前的某封信中有類似文句，但他是說：臺灣是我老爸借你們紅毛人的，我現在要把它拿回來了，請你們紅毛人閃邊吧。另外連橫在臺灣通史中把翻譯過程略，好像揆一懂中文一樣。辛苦又可憐的貓難先生就被鬼隱了。
The Teybingh-Sjautoo-Teysiang-kon, KOK-SENG (= 大明招討大將軍【國姓】) sends this letter to Governor Coyett in Tayouan.
You Dutch people, a few hundreds in number, how can you carry on war against us, who are so powerful by our numbers? Really, it is as if you were bereft of your senses, and that you had no understanding. I, Pompoan, say that it is the will of God that all should live and remain preserved, without perishing. I am, therefore, well inclined that men should remain alive; for which reason I have sent you so many letters. You people ought well to consider how very important a matter it is that the lives of your wives and children should be spared and all your possessions preserved. I now send you my Mandarin, named Sangae, also the Rev. Mr. Hambroek and the interpreters Ouhincko and Joucko, with salutations to the Governor ; offering him, at the same time, peace on the conditions which will now be mentioned. I beg you duly to consider what I say.
First, If you surrender the Fortress before my cannons have made their effect felt on its walls, then I shall treat you in the same way as I treated the Commander of the Fort Provintia, named Valentyn ; i.e. I will spare your lives, and if any one has anything to ask or desire, I will grant it as I granted it to him. I speak the truth, and will not deceive you.
Secondly , If, even after my cannons have battered your walls, the Governor and some others, great as well as small, shall hoist the white flag on the Fort and come out to me, saying, Peace! then I shall immediately issue the order, “Cease firing, it is enough!” so that you may feel confident in my word. And when, afterwards, your commanders, great and tall (sic), come to me accompanied by their wives and children, I shall give immediate command to bring all my cannons on board my ships, on being convinced that you people seriously wish to have peace. By this command, the Governor and his people will see that I desire peace, and they will, therefore, have every reason to trust me.
Another word: After peace has been concluded, your soldiers will require 1 immediately to leave the Fortress, that my soldiers may enter, with the object of taking care of it and of all the houses within its walls. I shall maintain such a degree of order that not the ” tiniest blade of grass or even a hair of your possessions” shall be hurt. I will also give permission for some slaves, male and female, to remain within the houses to take care of the things ; and further, every person who wishes to live in his own house at Sakam or Tayouan will be allowed to leave the place and to take his money and possessions with him.
One word more: It is the usage of the Chinese to grant everything that has been asked of them ; but the Fortress we cannot leave to you, as we attach very great importance to it. All that you people desire, you can get, with the exception of two days interval to carry away your possessions, as the inhabitants of Sakam had ; this being withheld because you people have delayed so long to come to a decision, whereas the people of Sakam surrendered before they felt the effect of my cannons. After waiting such a long time, therefore, you folk shall not have one hour s delay given you; for after my cannons have made breach in your walls, you will have to quit instantly.
Finally, I know it is the duty of the Dutch, who have come such a long way for the carrying on of trade, to endeavour to keep their Fortress, and this even pleases me ; as I do not see anything like a fault or crime in such an endeavour, so that you have no cause of fear for having acted thus. If I speak a word, if I promise anything, the whole world may trust me and be certain that I shall keep my word, as formerly. I have no wish to deceive any one. Every Dutchman in your Fortress may take note of this letter ; for its contents, from beginning to end, are founded on truth and verity. Matters are now come to such a pass that we can either spare or take your lives ; therefore you must quickly decide, and if you take a long time for consideration, it is the same as if you wished to lose your lives.
Mr Coyett has, on a former time, declared that he did not understand Chinese writing, and many a letter have I written him, without his having understood them. I now send you this letter by the interpreters Ouhincko and Joucko, 1 who have read and translated it to the former Deputy-Governor, Valentyn, in order that he might have it properly written out in Dutch. May you folk now take it quite to heart.
Indited in the fifteenth year, and on the 26th of the fourth month.
Translated to the very best of my abilities, 24 May 1661. J. VALENTYN.
貓難實叮：我翻譯得好辛苦啊~~~
甘為霖：別忘了算我的份。
Ouhincko and Joucko：看不懂？國姓爺叫我們翻譯給你聽，別裝死啊~~~
又，話說《熱蘭遮城日誌》第四冊的翻譯版這個月應該會出吧….
