[Honolulu Blue]

INTRODUCTION

NOVEMBER 1683

I put my personal assistant Squealy on one of our schooners, told him to head for Amsterdam and deliver this message to our leader:

Dear Stadtholder:

We would like to thank you for the opportunity you gave our forefathers many years ago to found and develop this great land.

However, we now feel that with your ridiculous tax rates and limited help that we can do better on our own. Therefore, we are declaring our independence from The Netherlands. Please respect this decision and leave us be.

Sincerely,
Chuck Taylor
Fearless Leader
Republic of Surinam


The reply came back in a few months - pinned to the dead and rotting body of Squealy. Our message to the Stadtholder did not go down well, I'm afraid:

Dear Mr. Taylor:

The Dutch Empire cannot allow you to declare your independence at this time. By the time you read this, our warships filled with our best troops and artillery will be arriving on your shores. Please rethink your rash decision. Many lives can be saved if you surrender now. My General and I await your decision.

Sincerely,
Stadtholder
The Netherlands