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In Bantam, resident Willem Caart sent numerous official letters throughout 1670. The correspondence began on February 8, 1670 and continued regularly through the year. Letters were exchanged between the resident and various ship captains of vessels including:

• The hooker "Hengelaer" (February 18, 1670)
• The ship "Huys te Noortwijck" (February 24, 1670)
• The fluyt ship "Schermer" (March 10, 1670)
• The fluyt "Alphen" (March 1670)
• The fluyt "Wapen van ter Veer" (April 11, 1670)
• The ship "Sticht van Utrecht" (June 3, 1670)
• The ship "Middelb" (June 7, 1670)
• The ship "Voorsichtight" (July 10, 1670)
• The hooker "Swaertvis" (July 13, 1670)
• The "Rysende Zon" (October 1670)
• The "Oostenb" and "Rotterdam" (October 24, 1670)
• The ship "Polsbroeck" (October 29, 1670)

The correspondence continued through November 30, 1670, with regular communications between the resident and various authorities.

On June 22, 1670, from the Dutch trading post in Palembang, Melchior Hurdt and Johannes Schilhoorn wrote about several matters:

• Five Chinese shopkeepers had debts to pay, of which two had paid in full and others nearly completely
• Account books were not sent because copying was incomplete and they didn't want to delay the ship
• Schilhoorn requested a promotion to under-merchant with corresponding pay like his predecessors
• They planned to investigate whether the islands of Belitung and Bangka were historically forced subjects or true subjects of Palembang
• They requested stones from demolished Makassar forts to pave a muddy courtyard and repair a warehouse floor
• Three days earlier, they had requested permission to send Portuguese prisoners and a youth named Georg Gonsalvos by ship
• The harbor master (Shahbandar) suggested they should write a letter to His Highness about this matter

On September 9, they resolved to gather all their forces, consisting of 9 ships and the yacht Arent which was near Ciau, along with the yacht Pau. They hoped to find the ships Leeu and Maen at Crau or Sangy before heading to the Caldera strait. On September 10, command was transferred to Lieutenant Captain Vyanen during their absence. They informed the King and council of Tarnata of their plans.

On September 11, they set sail with seven Malay vessels. On September 13, they noticed the current had pushed them lower. On September 14, they saw Siau but couldn't sail above the island. They decided to send boats from Seelant and Middelburg to Efort to gather any yachts there. They agreed to meet on the west side of Sangy.

On September 15, they reached their fort on the west side of the island. They found the yacht Arent there, the ships Leeu and Maen in Sangen, while the yacht Pau had sailed away without proper orders after Captain Mathys had died. Sir Possingern had appointed a local leader called Ritchil Caluwan (known to the Spanish as Don Duarte) as king, since the previous king had been taken to Manilhas. They left 30 European soldiers there under the command of a major sergeant from Captain Mathys's company.

The Siamese Ambassador returned to Oeglij via Decca from the Dilli court. He was richly gifted and treated honorably at both courts. He assured Director Ranst that his king had no intention of trading silk with Japan. The King of Bantam sent a ship of about 150 loads (manned by English sailors and two helmsmen) to Bengalen with copper, zinc, and other goods after returning from Mocha via Zuratta in May.

Two ships, the White Lion and Cinnamon Tree, were sent from Bengalen to Batavia on September 6 carrying cargo worth 376,458 florins, including 618 bales of silk for Japan, textiles for the homeland, and 2,896 sacks of saltpeter. Unfortunately, these ships were lost near the Bengalen coast. Near Palliacatta, wreckage was found including the White Lion's boat and a damaged office containing a merchant's writings.

On April 29, the ships Durgerdam, Blue Fisher, and Alphen safely returned from Cormandel with cargo worth 414,289 florins. The ships Arms of Rotterdam and Oostenb were sent back via Jaffanapatnam with various goods. Letters dated February 13 and March 4 of that year reported peaceful conditions and the safe arrival of ships carrying Japanese relief goods worth 1,253,394 florins via Malacca.

• Military commanders included Count Maurice of Nassau, Count Frederick Henry of Nassau, and the Count of Hohenloo, who received 1600, 800, and 1500 pounds respectively
• Military officers included Colonel Veer (930 pounds), Colonel Morray (400 pounds), and Colonel Gruenevelt (300 pounds)
• Local commanders included Jan Bax, Floris van Bredenroede, Arent van Duuenboirde, and Jan van Egmont
• The cities of Amsterdam, Alkmaar, Dordrecht, and Gorcum maintained local defense forces
• Two companies in Amsterdam had 300 men each
• Alkmaar had 60 soldiers
• Dordrecht and Gorcum each had 200 men serving as city guards
• The total force numbered 1429 men, whose wages were paid every 48 days

On September 30, 1616, Hans Keyser, a sergeant who arrived on the ship White Lion under General Bot, was granted freedom. He received several payments: 300 reals on October 30, 1616, and 84¾ reals on November 6, 1617. His loyalty was noted in 1619.

Egbert Willemss Cocxmaes arrived on the ship Gelderlait in 1615 under the flag of Block Martenss. He was granted freedom on August 23, 1619 and received 300 reals on August 31, 1619 for his loyalty.

Andries Parys, a soldier, arrived on the ship Black Lion in 1615. He was granted freedom on August 26, 1619 and received 61 reals on August 31, 1619 for various goods he needed and for his loyalty.

Tielleman Meurkens, a cadet, arrived on the Black Lion in 1615. He was granted freedom on August 23, 1619 and received 37 reals on August 31, 1619, plus 38¼ reals on November 15, 1619 for various goods he needed.

The final accounts show:

• Hans Keyser was owed 1,844 reals
• Andries Parys was owed 388.15 reals
• Tielleman Meurkens was owed 415 reals
• Egbert Willemss was owed 836 reals

On March 7, 1201, a letter was sent to Governor-General Joan Maatsuijcker and the Council of the East Indies from Palimbang. On March 12, the ship White Lion arrived with documents dated May 28. The ship delivered goods, money, and supplies worth 30,233 guilders.

Since their previous letter of February 19, they had received about 600 pieces of pepper as debt payment. The White Lion transported 2,550 pieces of pepper, costing 37,983 guilders including taxes and other expenses.

The king still owed the Company 6,016 reals (excluding the Chinese harbor master's debt). The king was owed 7,100 reals for previous year's transport taxes. He insisted that pepper should not be valued at less than 9¼ reals per piece. The king had waited three to four years for toll payments on shipped pepper.

The Company accepted 247 pieces of pepper at 4¼ reals per piece as partial payment. The king promised to send 100 pieces of pepper in the coming season for the remaining 592 reals he owed for ammunition. He refused to settle this against toll payments.

On October 8, 1636, officials dealt with various shipping matters in Amsterdam. Claessen Bordingh, helmsman of the ship White Lion, reported having too much cargo and requested gunpowder and supplies. A letter from Count Maurice of Nassau requested expedited dispatch of ships and soldiers to Brazil. Officials read a letter about releasing a yacht from Hoorn and decided to send two chartered ships, the Saltcase and the Brand van Sroijen, directly from Hoorn to save time.

On October 9, 1636, Jacques de Pours and Company requested permission to send beer to Brazil, but this was denied despite similar shipments being allowed in the Maese region. Captain Provo, arriving with the ship Overijssel, had a dispute about a chest of sugar delivered to the company warehouse at the Cape. The crew of the White Lion, arriving from Guinea, requested payment settlement, but four pipe-layers who had refused to move cannons were to be punished. Soldiers arriving on the ships Sampson and White Falcon requested their pay. Ditur Cueets requested payment of 200 guilders based on a bill of exchange from the Political Council dated June 30, 1636.

On February 16, 1667, from Banda in Castle Nassau, Jacob Cops, Justinus van Wijk, and M Roos sent 18,000 guilders in various currencies via the sloop Diamond, with Jan Dirxs Panne as helmsman. They requested 2-3 loads of Ambon bricks and 2-3 grinding stones, as they were completely out of bricks. They mentioned having trouble paying this month's cost of living and subsidies.

On February 21, 1667, Pieter Jansen wrote from the Rotterdam redoubt in Larique about:

• The celebration of a victory by Cornelis Speelman over the Makassarese
• A general day of fasting and prayer held on Wednesday the 16th in Ourien and the Vlissingen redoubt
• A request for 300 rixdollars and 3-4 books of paper
• The payment of 1,150 guilders in monthly wages to garrison holders

In Bengal, rumors of war persisted. English ships were anchored at Bellesoor, including two from Madraspatnam. A frigate dispatched on September 12 from the English fort arrived in Bengal. News had spread in Bellesoor about the war between England and France against the Dutch State. The hoeker 'de Baers' from Ceylon via Paleacatte sailed to Bengal in September, passing Bellesoor's waters and staying at Piplijs without being troubled by English ships. Mr. Ranst advised caution when sending Company ships. Since Bengal often experiences storms and hurricanes in November, as evidenced by the ships Canneelboom and Witte Leeuw sinking in such a tempest in 1670, it was decided to send several ships together at the end of November or beginning of December:

• Wimmenum
• Goude Leeuw
• Duijnvliet
• Bunschoten

Their cargo would include:

• 6,050 sacks of saltpeter
• 1,000 bales of silk
• 102 pounds of opium
• Wheat
• Textiles
• Sugar

The ship 'de Cogge' would escort them into deep waters. This route through the new channel would make it difficult for English-Chinese ships to intercept them. While initially expecting 500 pounds of sugar for Gamron, the amount was revised to 200 pounds, making a special ship unnecessary. The Cogge, armed with 28 cannons and loaded with provisions for Ceylon, would carry this sugar as ballast.

At the Nagasacki trading post on September 25, 1667, they tried to bring in the fluyt ship "White Lion" using tow boats. Since the ship was about 5 Japanese miles from shore, they had to pay double wages of 24 per boat. Due to heavy rain and wind, the boats couldn't reach the ship. By evening, the ship anchored near Fishers Island and signaled for help. The interpreters Issierobe and Jochem were reluctant to ask the governor for permission to assist.

On September 26, they hired 40 boats which successfully brought in the ship. Constantin Ranst and his sick wife were brought ashore and welcomed. On September 27-28, they unloaded the White Lion's cargo, which matched the inventory.

The first sales day was held on September 30. On October 1, after difficult negotiations, they agreed on a price of 12 tael 5 maas per picol. Most goods sold well. Ranst's wife gave birth to a stillborn son who was buried in the Dutch cemetery by one of the interpreters.

From October 2-4, they were busy delivering the sold goods, which went slowly due to new rules from the Nagasacki governor about hiring laborers. On October 6, during the second showing day, several thieves were caught and beaten with sticks. The second sale was held on October 7, selling various Dutch goods.

On black mourning cloth that consisted of 1 whole piece and 24 smaller pieces (counted as 4 pieces in total in the invoice), they found a shortage of 61¼ ells from the expected 227½ ells, as only 166¼ ells were delivered.

In a previous letter sent on October 22 via the ships "Spreeu" and "Witte Leeu", they reported that Tonkin silk had a 1% overweight. However, the Batavia silk shipment showed an unusual underweight, with a shortage of 46½ pounds from a 61,493¾ pound shipment. The Bengal silk, weighing 121,477 13/32 pounds, only showed 9 13/32 pounds overweight, which was much less than previous years. After investigation, they concluded the silk from Bengal must have been received either more moist or drier than before.

They had written earlier about borrowing 250 taels at 1% interest to increase capital for Coromandel, but since the Japanese merchant was short 5,000 taels, they decided to only take 20,000 taels.

They searched for ambergris upon the arrival of their ships but couldn't obtain any, suggesting it was only occasionally available. Since benzoin, Kalamkari cloth, coarse chiavonis, bethilles, tarnatanes, red bethilles, and berams brought from Cambodia via the "Schelvis" were unwanted in Japan and would result in losses, they redistributed these goods: the Kalamkari cloth was sent to Siam with the "Hilversum" to be delivered to Poolvoet, and the benzoin, which they learned was bought in Cambodia for Surat, was sent as fragrance.

During 1666 and 1667, several ships transported goods between Batavia, Japan, Ceylon, Persia, and other Asian locations. Key shipments included:

• Japanese and Chinese silver (measured in teijlen)
• Pepper (measured in cattij and pounds)
• Copper from Japan
• Sappanwood from Siam
• Spices including mace (foelij) and cloves (nagelen)
• Ships involved included the Golden Lion, White Lion, Black Lion, and several others
• From Persia via Coromandel on September 4, 1666:
  • 2 horses
  • Bottles of rose water
  • Persian wine
  • Dried fruits
  • Garden seeds
  • Earthenware
  • Preserved walnuts
• Textiles shipped included:
  • White armosijnen (silk fabric)
  • Fine mallemollen (muslin)
  • Saanen (fabric type)
  • Hammans (bleached cloth)
  • Adatheijs (cotton fabric)
  • Gerras (fabric type)

Jacob Cops, Cornelis Franx, Paulus Andriessen, Georgius Eb. Rumphius, Willem van Zijll, Gerrit van Voorburgh, and Adriaen de Leeuw sent an invoice for two ships named White Lion and New Court, totaling 160,623 guilders, 16 stuivers, and 6 pennies. They signed this document at Castle Victoria in Amboina on May 1, 1669.

The document appears to be a ship's log or crew manifest from December 18, 1669, near Bantam. It lists various ships and crew members with their wages and positions.

Several ships are mentioned from different Dutch chambers including Amsterdam, Middelburg, Hoorn, Amersfoort, Delft, and Rotterdam. Notable vessels include the 'Hollandia Tuin', 'White Lion', 'Golden Lion', and 'Dolphin'.

The crew list includes three senior officials: Pieter Pauw, Jacob van Dam, and Francois van de Lee.

• The crew members are listed with their hometown, position, and monthly wages (in guilders)
• Positions include upper cooper, ship's corporal, quartermaster, gunners, sailors, and ship's boys
• Most gunners earned 12 guilders per month
• Regular sailors (matrozen) earned 11 guilders
• Ship's boys (hoplopers) earned the least at 5 guilders
• Specialized positions like under-steersman earned more (26 guilders)

Many crew members came from Dutch cities like Amsterdam, Utrecht, and Rotterdam, while others originated from foreign ports such as Lübeck, Hamburg, and Bergen.

The document appears to be a shipping register listing various vessels, their capacities (in 'last', an old Dutch unit of measurement), and their typical journey times. Several ships operated between different ports for periods of 2-6 years. Some notable vessels include:

• The ship at Batavia's harbor that carried 400 last
• The Bouro that sailed for 2-3 years carrying 40 last
• The Geldria with 50 last capacity for 2-3 years
• The Hilversum carrying 100 last
• Several smaller vessels like the "Flying Swan" (50 last) and "Dolphin" (60 last)
• Multiple ships named after lions ("Gold Lion", "White Lion", "Black Lion") each carrying 150 last
• Larger vessels like the Alphen and Cattenburg with 300 last each

The document also lists several smaller boats and fishing vessels at the end, including herring boats and various craft named after birds and fish, with capacities ranging from 26 to 55 last.

On April 29, 1639, Jan acted as a public notary in Amsterdam for the Court of Holland. Hendrick Jansz, a baker, had rented a house called "The White Lion" from Fredrick Fredricksz, a beer merchant, on January 5, 1635. The house was located on the corner of the Herestraet. The rental agreement included a condition that after 4 years, Hendrick Jansz could buy the house for 9,000 guilders. As the lease was expiring the next day, Hendrick Jansz wanted to become the owner.

The following items were listed in the inventory:

• A silver belt weighing 13 lots 4½ engels at 25 stuivers: 16 guilders 10 stuivers
• A gold hoop of 1 engels: 15 guilders 10 stuivers
• A hearth iron: 16 stuivers
• Three prints in black frames: 1 guilder 1 stuiver
• An oak sleeping bench

Hendrick Jansz requested through the notary that Fredrick Fredricksz transfer ownership of the property. He offered to pay in installments on regular house payment days. If Fredrick Fredricksz would refuse, Hendrick Jansz would deposit the first payment with the city authorities. The document was witnessed by Cornelis Mathijsz and Joost Jansz van der Woul, citizens of Amsterdam.

On January 29, 1642, Jan de Vos, a public notary in Amsterdam, together with Jan Carstensz Lancx, a court bailiff, and Claes van Buijl, deputy sheriff, visited the house of Pieter Marinis, a game maker living on the broad path between the Reguliers and Holy Way gates across from where the French Garden sign hangs.

They found half a barrel of white lion beer from Rotterdam there. Pieter Marinis admitted he had received it that day on a citizen's credit note. He also confessed that in previous months, he had:

• Carried another half barrel with two sticks to the tavern's landlady
• Delivered 3 or 4 more half barrels to the landlady through the cabinetmaker next door
• Received 8 stuivers payment for each half barrel transported

This was witnessed and recorded by Jan Carstensz in Amsterdam.

In a letter dated January 2, 1618, instructions were given regarding trade and shipping between Bantam, Jambi, and Jacatra. Andries Sourij received orders about a new boat being built in Jacatra. The ship called the Berger was scheduled to sail to the homeland by mid-February, carrying as much pepper as could be collected. Multiple ships were mentioned, including:

• The Berger Boot
• The Golden Lion (Gouden Leeu)
• The Weapon of Zealand (Wapen van Zeeland)
• The Half Moon (Halve Maen)
• The Jacatra
• The Ceylon (Seijlon)

The letter discusses pepper trade prices rising to 42-43 reals. The Dutch were cautioned not to sell cloves except to local consumers, and at prices high enough to prevent English traders from buying them. They had successfully loaded seven ships with pepper. The writers expected pepper prices to drop again in 2-3 months but anticipated prices would rise again when Dutch buying resumed. There were also instructions about dealing with Javanese vessels from Cambodia, Patani, Siam, and surrounding areas, which were to be allowed free passage. The Chinese traders would receive separate instructions later.

On December 9, 1639, Jan de Vos, a notary in Amsterdam, together with Abraham Jacobsz, a sworn carrier, visited a cellar on the corner of Nes and Wijde Steeg. They were accompanied by tax collectors and deputy sheriff Pieter Janssz. This was the residence of Grietge Barents. They found:

• Two men drinking Rotterdam beer
• Several tabs marked on a board with chalk
• A half-barrel of white lion brand beer

On December 7, 1638, a similar inspection took place in the Bloestraat where Geertgen Ides, a shopkeeper, was caught when a girl left her house with a can of Rotterdam beer. When questioned, Geertgen Ides admitted to selling cheap beer, but when tested it proved to be Rotterdam beer. The inspectors found:

• A half-barrel of lamb brand beer containing strong brew
• A half-barrel of three acorns brand containing Rotterdam beer
• A wooden beer measure

In Amsterdam, several people gave witness statements. Willem Jansz, aged 57, living on the Eglentiersgraft, and Johannes Bartheltsz, a broker aged 43, living near Nieuwe Zijds Kolk, testified about Heylte Cornelis, widow of broker Jacanet Jansz. They confirmed her as the mother of Johannes Jacobsz, a sailmaker who sailed on the ship White Lion.

The couple had three other children: Trijntgen, Geertruijt, and Cornelis Jacobsz, all still underage.

Henrick Fredericxsz, a beer carrier aged 61, and Feijcke Pietersz, a cheese merchant aged 51, testified about Tanneken Symons, widow of Cors Jacobsz from Haarlem who sailed as cook on the White Lion. They confirmed the couple was legally married and that Cors Jacobsz had no surviving children or grandchildren if he died on the ship St. Lawrence.

Carsten Jansz, a grain carrier aged 50, and Barent Willemz, aged 39, testified about Auck Garbrants, widow of Geert/Gerrit Cornelis from Workum in Friesland. They knew their son Cornelis Gerritsz, who sailed with the West India Company on the ship Soutbergh. The couple had four children in total, including one deceased daughter who left one child, and two married children still living.

Finally, Thomas Brandt, an innkeeper aged 36, and Thijs Pietersz, a laborer aged 73, testified about Hilletgen Lamberts, wife of ferry operator Thomas Joosten, whom they had known for 15-16 years.

On January 2, 1639, Jans Vos, a public notary approved by the court of Holland and residing in Amsterdam, together with court messenger Abraham Jacobsz, investigated illegal beer selling. Accompanied by deputy sheriff Hendrik Helt, they caught a boy at Annitge Dircx's backyard with a can of Rotterdam beer, for which he had paid three blanks. Inside the house, they found another woman who was also there to buy beer, and a half-barrel of Rotterdam beer from the White Lion brewery.

Later, Claes Jansz, as husband and guardian of Aeffgr Pouwels, sold a house and property to grain carrier Jan Mentsz. The house was located on the east side of the Princegraft with rights to one-seventh of the Princenhoff passage. The property included shared walls and a rainwater tank with Gerrit Coerten's property. The sale came with the condition that the buyer could not extend or build the front of the house beyond its current state. The sale price was 562 guilders and 10 stuivers, to be paid in three installments:

• 200 guilders upon delivery of the house
• 181 guilders and 5 stuivers on All Saints' Day
• 181 guilders and 5 stuivers in May 1640

On April 13, 1642, Jan de Vos, a public notary in the Court of Holland residing in Amsterdam, along with 2 witnesses, investigated illegal beer sales. The tax collectors for the 3-guilder tax on tap beer, accompanied by deputy sheriff Jacob Vries, went to the Brouwerstraat. They saw a woman leaving Hillegont Gysberts' cellar with a jug of Rotterdam beer. When questioned, the woman stated that Hillegont Gysberts herself had sold her the beer for three blanks.

The tax collectors, deputy sheriff, notary, and witnesses then entered Hillegont Gysberts' cellar. They found:

• A half-barrel of White Lion brand Rotterdam beer, which she claimed was stored for citizens
• A clay beer measure
• Six metal funnels that Hillegont Gysberts' son tried to hide

This was witnessed by Jan Carstensz Dancx, bailiff of the Court of Holland, and Pr. Jans, sworn staff-bearer of the city.

On January 11, 1639, several witnesses appeared before notary Henrick Schaeff in Amsterdam. The witnesses were:

• Willem Florisz van Essendelft, a 37-year-old grain carrier
• Douwe Boelissz, a 36-year-old mason living on the Old French Path
• Evert Jacobssz van Enchuijsen, a 31-year-old former gunner who returned home on the ship Golden Lion

They testified on behalf of Anna Jans, widow of Aloff Hanssz, about her son Hans Aloffssz van Bolsuart. They confirmed that Hans had sailed as a boatswain on the Golden Lion and died during the voyage. The witnesses verified that Anna Jans was indeed Hans's biological mother.

On January 13, 1639, two more witnesses appeared before the notary:

• Adriaen Cornelisz, a 48-year-old ship captain from Broeck in Waterland
• Pieter Sijmessz, a 34-year-old wood merchant

They testified about a debt owed by Melchior van Hoorn to Pieter Jaspers, a block maker, for work done on the ship Walvis. Melchior had promised to pay after checking the delivered work in Texel.