Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

• On 16 April 1726, a report was sent from Java regarding a ship carrying 223 loads of dried spices. The ship had faced misfortunes, resulting in a financial loss of ƒ3,175.40.
• The report confirmed the receipt of three barrels of five-inch nails.
• It also noted the arrival of the ships:
  • Strijkebolle
  • Magdalena
  • Het Huijs te Vlotter
  • Risdam
  • Hogermeer
  These ships brought letters from Commandeur and Council in Samarang, dated 20 and 23 March 1726.
• The first two ships, Strijkebolle and Magdalena, were loaded with woodwork and sent back to Samarang on 10 and 12 April 1726.
• Two new shallops (small ships), measuring 80 feet and 60 feet, were dispatched for the governments of:
  • Amboina
  • Ternate
  The hope was that these ships would meet the required standards.
• One pantjallang (a type of boat) requested by the authorities for the government of Banda would be delivered within 3 to 4 days via the ship Het Huijs te Vloeter.
• A second pantjallang for local use would be delivered by one of the last ships, as per the charter.
• After inspecting four sailing vessels and three flat-bottomed boats, work would resume on:
  • A missing 70-foot sloop (replacing one sent to Amboina)
  • One of the three requested lighter boats (tanjongprahu)
  The chief carpenter, Sitje Iotjes van Aarden, would soon begin constructing the keel and frames.
• The report also included the cost accounts for the supplies provided to the ship.

• A letter was sent from Samarang on 2 April 1726 and received in Batavia on 14 April 1726 via the ship Land van Beloften.
• The letter included:
  • A copy of instructions for sergeant Reijnier Engeling.
  • Shipping documents (receipts and invoices) for goods loaded on the ship.
  • Two cost reports for expenses incurred.
  • A small invoice for costs related to four captured slaves being transported.
• The letter was addressed to Gouverneur-Generaal Mattheus De Haan and the Council of the Dutch East Indies in Batavia.
• Several ships arrived in Samarang between 19–21 March 1726, including:
  • Land van Behoefte, Strijkebolle, Magdalena, Witsburg, Amezone, 't Huijs te Vloeter, Risdam, Hoogermeer,
  • Small vessels: Samarang (a shallop), Oostendenaar (a proa), and De Hoop (a patchall).
• The ships delivered nails and other supplies as listed in the invoices, for which the sender expressed gratitude.
• Following orders, the Land van Beloften and Amezone were sent to Demak.
• Five other ships (Witsburg, Risdam, Hoogermeer, and two unnamed) were ordered to sail to Japara, Narembang, and other ports to load heavy timber as quickly as possible.
• Local officials were instructed to ensure the ships were loaded promptly so they could return on time.
• Additional letters were enclosed to show that nails had been sent to Rembang and other supplies to Vloeter as directed.
• The letter was signed by H. Grootestraet, the secretary in Samarang.

On 28 September 1728, in Siam, two employees of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), Gerrit Schrijver and Willem de Gha, both accountants at the Siam trading post, wrote a report at the request of the post’s leader, merchant Gregorius Hendrik Prageman.

The report described a meeting held at 10:00 AM in the large hall of the trading post. Present were Prageman, his second-in-command Rugier van Alderweereld, and the two accountants. Prageman explained that he had given orders to three accountants the day before yesterday regarding the company’s ships docked in the Siam roadstead (harbor).

• The three accountants were to board the ship Prins Eugenius immediately to inventory the belongings of the ship’s captain, de Caa, who had died on 15 September 1728.
• After completing the inventory, two of the accountants, Risdam and Hoogermeer, were to sail to Amsterdam Island to collect enough sappanwood (a type of dyewood) from the supervisor there to load onto their ship.
• The third accountant, from the Prins Eugenius, was to return quickly with a copy of the deceased captain’s inventory.

Prageman complained that his orders had been ignored. The two accountants, Risdam and Hoogermeer, had refused to leave, claiming the assigned boat was too small for all three of them. When questioned, the accountants gave different reasons for their refusal:

• Raams stated the boat was unsafe and too small for their belongings, and the trip would take around 6 days.
• Holscher agreed the harbor was dangerous.
• Sonnemans said he was willing to go but claimed Raams and Holscher had refused.

On 28 September 1725, the captain of the ship from Nisdam, Hendrik Schoon, reported the death of his ship’s first mate. He requested a replacement, which the leadership (referred to as the opperhoofd and council) considered necessary for the Dutch East India Company (VOC)’s service.

The council called a meeting and asked the captains of other VOC ships docked nearby to assist. They discussed that the first mate of the ship Prins Eugenius, Cornelis de Kaa, had also died on 15 August 1725 shortly after arriving in the area. Since no new commander had yet been chosen for various reasons, the council proposed promoting the first mate of the Prins Eugenius to commander. This man was seen as capable, having successfully brought the ship to port and unloaded its cargo properly after Cornelis de Kaa fell ill.

The council decided with a tied vote to:

• Appoint Hendrik Jurriaensz van Beek, the first mate of the Prins Eugenius, as the new commander (pending approval from higher VOC authorities).
• Promote the second mate of the ship Hoogermeer, Boij Magnus, to first mate of the Prins Eugenius to fill Van Beek’s old position.
• Replace Boij Magnus as second mate of the Hoogermeer with the ship’s purser, Fredrik Afslager from Enkhuizen.
• Appoint a new first mate for the barge De Tingietter, replacing the recently deceased first mate and commander.

The decision was recorded in the Nagasaki VOC office on the same date by officials including G:s H:k Prageman Rugier van Alderwereld, H:k Schoon (captain of the Zwaan), and G:t Schrijver, among others. The document was later verified by G:t Schrijver.

On 4 May 1726, a report was sent from Samarang (on Java) detailing a shipment and expenses. The ship Hoogermeer was returning with goods, including:

• 46 pieces of rembang wood,
• 20 swallows' nests,
• 42 anchor stock beams,
• 10 heavy root knees,
• 60 heavy ship supports,
• 3,080 curved braces,
• Sawn Chinese planks,
• 2 gunpowder sheds (numbers 38 and 39),
• 7,192 pounds of round pepper, and
• 1,000 pieces of ledger tiles.

The total cost for these goods and the Cajertoure was ƒ4,294:11. Additional expenses for the ship amounted to ƒ447:19, with a request for approval from the Dutch East India Company (VOC) officials.

The letter was signed by: P. G. Noodt, H. Cool, D. Paradijs, J. Sauer, P. Vereeke, and W. Nuijts.

On the same day, 4 May 1726, it was reported that Corporal Cornelius Otto Bregard and soldiers Frederik Seen and David Joris Vogel had returned to Samarang after being sent on 9 April 1726 with an important letter for the VOC officials. A letter from Cartasoera (dated 7 May 1726) was also received and forwarded to the VOC leadership in Batavia, including Governor-General Matthäus De Haan and the Council of the Dutch Indies. The letter was delivered by the same soldiers on 16 May 1726.

On 3 May 1726, a letter was sent from Java's East Coast via the ship Hoogermeer, received on 9 May by respected officials including S. C. Jongh, H. Coster, A. van Campen, L. van Meurs, D. W. Smit, H. G. Bergman, N. Wiltvang, and J. Pekeijn.

The letter was originally written in Javanese by ruler Danoeredja from Cartasoera on 27 April 1726 and addressed to Pieter Gijsbert Noodt, Commander of Java's East Coast. It was translated by D. A. V. Gils and approved by H. K. Grootestraat, the secretary.

• The ruler sent a messenger, Siling Singansen, with gifts for his "brother" (likely Noodt), including:
  • 50 datjingh (a type of coin).
  • A dark brown stallion.
  • A gray mare with apple-like coloring.
• The ruler requested these gifts be handled like previous ones—if accepted, they should be presented to the Governor-General without payment.

The letter also mentioned:

• The ship Risdam had returned to Batavia under escort the previous day.
• The ruler asked for horses previously sent from Samarang to be returned.
• He urged the officials to quickly fulfill the wishes of the late Susuhunan (Javanese ruler), as previously discussed with Captain Ceesjong and Mr. Luijt en den Eijnde.

On 2 April 1726, officials from the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in Samarang sent two letters to Iacques Dallens, a junior merchant and resident in Rembang.

• In the first letter (dated 23 March 1726), they reported that the ships Strijkebolle, Het Huijs te Vlotter, and Magdalena had sailed toward Batavia on 20 March 1726.
• Two more ships, the Risdam and Hoogermeer, were now being sent to Dallens to load heavy timber and return quickly. These ships were also equipped with loading doors and could transport newly requested vessels if ready in time.

The second letter (also referencing 20 March 1726) confirmed that the three ships had arrived in Rembang from Batavia and were being sent onward under Dallens' supervision.

• The ships were to be quickly loaded with heavy timber and sent back.
• A shipment of nails (single, double, and triple 5-inch spikes) had arrived via the ship 't Land van Beloften and was now being forwarded on the Strijkebolle.
• Dallens was instructed to keep these nails for use at the Rembang shipyard, as they were needed for the Company’s (VOC) service.

Both letters were signed by six officials: P. G. Noot, H. Cool, D. Paradijs, A. I. Sauer, I. Vereeke, and W. Nuijts. The documents were approved and signed by H. Grootestraet, the secretary in Samarang.

The letter from Siam, dated 28 September 1725, discusses the slow progress of tin purchases. The writer admits that earlier reports were incorrect and that the situation is actually worse than expected. Despite concerns that the Dutch East India Company (VOC) might appear suspicious to locals, the writer argues that the company must continue its efforts.

The writer criticizes the excuse that there is no cash available to buy tin, calling it a weak argument. Records show that the local office had borrowed 2,000 tahil from various local officials, which could have been used for purchases. The VOC had also strongly recommended increasing tin purchases, especially since demand in Batavia was high.

The claim that Chinese traders were offering higher prices (by 2 tahil per bahar) and buying tin in exchange for their goods is dismissed. The VOC knows that tin prices are low in China and at other trading posts, and there is little risk of shortages. The tin stockpile in Batavia is expected to last for 8 or 10 years, as shown in the attached report.

The writer strongly urges that tin purchases must be kept as slow as possible to save the VOC's cash, which is needed more urgently in places like Suratta and Bengalen.

The letter also acknowledges receiving a previous message from 15 August 1725, delivered by the ship Rijsdam on 16 September.

• The document lists transactions involving the sale of goods, likely livestock or agricultural products, measured in units like kopin, bundervoet, and tonnen (barrels or similar containers).
• Prices are recorded in an old Dutch currency system, with values like gulden (abbreviated as J or ƒ), stuivers (abbreviated as s or d), and fractions (e.g., 3¾, 6½).
• Key individuals involved in these transactions include:
  • J. van Laet
  • D. v: Hoorn
  • Riane Pert
  • C. Bours
  • L. Bonse
  • Isaacq Pen
  • Thomas Bours
  • Kasper Tomburch
  • Isaacq Jonksten
  • S. van Lier
  • P. Seyn
  • J. Vilain
  • Abraham de Heilt
  • S. van Ker
  • Isaacq Roquert
• Examples of recorded sales:
  • J. van Laet sold items for prices ranging from 5¼ to 8½ (likely gulden).
  • C. Bours sold goods for 6½ to 7 gulden.
  • Thomas Bours sold 2 barrels for 7¼ gulden.
  • Isaacq Jonksten sold goods for 6¾ gulden.
  • P. Seyn sold a bundervoet for 82 gulden.
  • Abraham de Heilt sold goods for 6½ gulden.
• The text appears to be a ledger or accounting record, detailing who sold what, to whom, and for how much.
• Some entries mention "voor zijn net" or "voorz," which may indicate transactions made on behalf of someone else or under specific conditions.

• On 22 December 1714, a report from Ceylon detailed shipments of goods for the year, including:
  • Batavian powdered sugar: Caurus de Maldives sent a total of 420,873 lb, but only 226,266 lb was accounted for. The rest (194,607 lb) was transported for Zeeland, divided as:
    • 64,607 lb in Limburgh
    • 65,000 lb in Lockhorst
    • 65,000 lb in Schellenberg
  • Zappan and Caliatourhout (types of wood): 439,256 lb total, including:
    • 9,191 lb in Wassenaar for Amsterdam
    • 9,192 lb in Limburgh for Zeeland
  • Caurus de Maldives (another shipment): 497,467 lb was partly lost due to lack of ballast, discarded in water or ship holds. Breakdown:
    • 452,000 lb for Amsterdam Chamber:
      • 143,000 lb in Wassenaar
      • 60,000 lb in Zuiderbeek
      • 104,000 lb in Noortbeek
      • 145,000 lb in Bentveld
    • 45,467 lb for Zeeland Chamber:
      • 27,087 lb in Limburgh
      • 18,380 lb in Lockhorst and Schellenberg
• The large quantity sent was due to a shortage of saltpeter (used for weight/ballast), so horns (likely containers) were chosen over stones or sand.
• Batavian powdered sugar: 380,835 lb was sent by the High Indian Government in Batavia via Wassenaar and Limburgh to serve as ballast. This was distributed among ships as ordered.
• An additional 200,000 lb of unspecified goods was reported to the Great Council in Amsterdam, noting increased demand due to peace.
• Further coordination with Bengal was planned for 1715 regarding these shipments.

On 20 January 1748, a financial report from Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) was submitted under the command of the Dutch administration. The report detailed discrepancies in the weight and quality of two spices: caurus (likely a type of cinnamon) and pepper.

• The report noted a shortage in caurus:
  • Expected weight: 17,515.25 lb.
  • Actual weight after washing: 16,264 lb.
  • Loss during washing: 11/16 lb.
  • Total loss in marketable weight: 210.0625 lb (about 1.7 lb).
  • This resulted in a 7.125% loss in marketable and pure caurus.
  • An additional 6% loss was attributed to sand impurities.
  • Non-marketable caurus increased by 16.875%.
• The report was signed in Galle (a city in Ceylon) on 27 July 1747 by N. Hoepels.
• A summary of a fourth inspection report was included, confirming findings with a legal certificate from two justice officials in Galle.
• The inspection revealed a shortage in mallebar pepper:
  • Expected quantity: 958,898.5 lb.
  • Actual shortage: 15,527.875 lb (about 1.6% loss).

The report was addressed to Julius Valentijnstijn van Gollenesse, an extraordinary councilor of Dutch India and the Governor and Director of the island of Ceylon and its dependencies.

On 27 July 1747, a shipment of cowrie shells (called cauris) was sent from Tutucorin (near Malabar) aboard the ship Nieuwerkerk, under the command of Jongs. The cargo arrived in Ceylon on 10 January 1748 with a recorded weight of 18,365 5/16 pounds of mixed usable and unusable shells.

• The total included:
  • 17,515 6/16 pounds of usable shells, valued at 64 guilders per 1,000.
  • 991 pounds of unusable shells.
• During washing, 11 9/16 pounds of usable shells were lost.
• Combined with the unusable shells, the total loss or low-quality amount was 210 5/6 pounds.
• After accounting for losses, the net usable shells were calculated at 7/8 per 100.
• Additional adjustments were made:
  • A 6 per 100 reduction for "Sunday losses" (unexplained in the text).
  • A 46 3/8 per 100 increase due to the excess of unusable shells.

The final report was reviewed by inspectors (visitateurs) and confirmed by a legal note from two members of the Council of Justice, listing adjusted figures of 1,251 1/8 and 141 1/6 (likely referring to corrected weights or values).

On 6 September 1732, a Dutch trading record listed the following goods and their quantities:

• From Cormandel:
  • Zeuglood (a type of cloth): 120,000 lb
  • Spiaulter Palliacatta (another type of cloth): 12,500 lb
  • Alum: 3,209 lb
  • Paper sugar: 2,278 lb
  • Lump sugar: 1,091 lb
  • More lump sugar: 2,406 lb
  • More spiaulter cloth: 10,009 lb
• From Sadraspatnam:
  • Camphor: 1,000 lb
  • Alum: 22,239 lb
  • Zeuglood: 64,763 lb
  • Spiaulter: 4,620 lb
  • More spiaulter: 10,044 lb
  • Paper sugar: 5,324 lb
  • Candy sugar: 2,029 lb
• From Porto Novo:
  • Long pepper: 2,975 lb
  • More long pepper: 2,945 lb
  • Spiaulter: 9,975 lb
  • Zeuglood: 2,007 lb
  • Alum: 2,098 lb
  • Paper sugar: 1,040 lb

The record also notes that additional goods were expected to arrive later ("'t zedert nog"). The total weight of all listed goods was 35,300 lb.