Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

• On 21 January, 624 men left using the regent's own boats and borrowed vessels
• The Madurese troops numbered 624 men, making a total of 1,204 men according to the original plan
• Half traveled on the ship Hoorn, the rest used boats from the prince and two boats from the Captain of the Chinese in Samarang and Soerabaja

• Very few true-born Balinese lived in the area or the eastern corner and were difficult to find
• He hesitated to use his authority to negotiate with the Balinese princes because some princes were currently at war with each other
• It was uncertain whether the princes would be willing to allow recruitment, and a refusal would be problematic
• Even if they agreed, getting authorization would take much time
• Transport from Bali to Macassar would be very difficult
• Seeking help there might make some princes aware of the Company's weakness and encourage them to cause new problems in Balemboan or elsewhere

An unnamed Dutch official wrote from Samarang on 15 February 1778. He explained that he had sent letters (marked A, B, and C) about Pangerang Rongo, a religious leader who was one of the Cramans. In 1761, Rongo had stirred up the districts of Pattij, Tjinkelsewoe, and surrounding areas. After that, he stayed in Damak in the village of Djadjar, but in the previous autumn he moved away with his family to the Sultan's district of Grobogang.

The reason for this move was that in Damak, many murders, robberies, and thefts had been committed for over a year without catching the criminals. Eventually, it was discovered that Rongo's sons, Radeen Soerjo Coessoemo and Adij Coessoemo, were involved in these crimes and were actually leaders of a small criminal group.

The official ordered the regents of Damak to capture both Radeens through some friendly pretense and to arrest several other suspicious people. However, the regents made the orders public but failed to carry them out. For this failure, they were later fined 1,000 Rijxdaalders by the Council. Because the regents gave Rongo time and opportunity, he was able to hide his sons and leave Djadjar and Company territory with his entire family.

He first went to the village of Pagak in Soekowati, which was under Pangerang Praboe Amidjoijo, the oldest son of Pangerang Aria Mancoenagara and son-in-law of the Emperor. Nearly a month later, after being informed through a follow-up request by the regents, the official demanded that the court of Soerakarta hand over Rongo and his people. The Emperor immediately ordered his son-in-law Prince Praboe not to give them shelter, threatening severe punishment. The Emperor also commanded that they be arrested immediately and sent a military unit for this purpose. However, Rongo learned about this.

• On 15 February 1778, a letter was written from Samarang to Rlnter de Klerk, the Governor General, and the Council members of the Dutch East Indies.
• The writer referred to his earlier letter from 13 January (sent in duplicate) and confirmed receiving secret letters from 8 January, which arrived on 14 January via the ship De Nagulboom that was heading to Amboina.
• The writer thanked the authorities for orders regarding the Sultan's succession in case of his death and for military support consisting of 2 corporals and 44 common soldiers. Of these soldiers, 25 arrived on De Nagulboom and the remaining 21 were delivered by the Macassar citizen Brugman at Japara.
• The writer promised to follow the orders exactly as written if necessary and confirmed he had read a secret resolution from 27 November 1772 that was sent to him in copy. He sealed it again and had it recorded in a political council resolution on 27 January that such a sealed package was in his possession.
• The writer had already informed the authorities in his letter of 13 January about the Sultan's recovery. The Sultan had thanked them for the mourning gift that was last sent.
• The writer reported that the Sultan had fully recovered, appeared in public again, and was handling the affairs of his kingdom as before.
• However, the Sultan's aggressive nature had not stopped, and his unforgiving hatred against Pangerang Aria Mancoenagarra continued, as shown in a letter the writer was enclosing for the authorities.

Kade, a Makassarese captain, was mentioned as someone who would be very useful. The writer stated he would arrange payment with him upon arrival. The letter was signed by R.t I=s van der Niepoort from Sourabaija on 31 December 1777.

A translation of a Javanese letter was received in Samarang on 11 January 1778. The letter was written by Sultan Amingkoeboeana to Johannes Robbert van der Burgh, who was Governor and Director of Java's Northeast coast. The Sultan wrote that 40 of his rifles were completely unusable. He asked his "brother" (a friendly term of address) to help get them repaired. He said he would gladly have Adipatti Danoeridja pay for the costs. If his request was approved, he would send the guns right away.

The Sultan and Pangerang Adipattij Anom Mangcoenagara sent their heartfelt greetings. The Ratoe (queen) joined them in sending greetings to the Governor's wife. They all wished that his health and prosperity would remain steady through God's blessing.

The letter was written in Djokjocarta on Monday 5 January 1778. It was translated by C: P: Boltje, translator, in Samarang on 13 January 1778.

J.R. van der Burgh, Governor and Director of Java's North-East coast, received a letter dated 11 January 1778 from Samarang.

A public auction was held on 13 January 1778 in Samarang for the rights to harvest bird's nests from cliffs. The writer had sent out notices announcing the auction. The auction took place in the presence of the writer and other members. The results were:

• The Chinese Captain Hang Boeijko won the auction for eastern Balemboangang for 850 rijksdaalders
• The Chinese Lieutenant Ian Tinso won the auction for western Basemboangang for 1,550 rijksdaalders
• Together they paid 2,400 rijksdaalders

The writer informed about the situation with local regents who would lose income from the cliffs. The writer suggested that the regent of Lamadjang should receive 90 to 100 Spanish rijksdaalders and the regent of Malang should receive 70 to 80 Spanish rijksdaalders from this year's auction income. They would be grateful to Van der Burgh for compensation for giving up the villages and people to the leader.

The head of Sabrang had never received benefits from the cliffs, where guards had protected Noessa from robbers. The bird's nests from Banjoewangie were estimated to yield about half as much as those from Sabrang, Lamadjang, or Malang combined. The writer suggested equal treatment could be arranged.

500 guns with cartridge pouches, sharp flintlock cartridges and similar items were sent to Sumanap on 24 January. The writer had written to the Resident and prince there to dispatch warriors before New Year with ships that were ready. They promised to do their utmost. The writer hoped to give Van der Burgh good news soon.

The writer received 3 sets of sea charts of the Macassar waters and would make proper use of them, as well as of the sloop belonging to Than Lecko, the Chinese Captain of Samarang, if His Highness the prince of Madura agreed.

• On 13 January 1778, a letter was sent from Semarang to Rudolf Florentius van der Niepoort, who was the chief merchant and commander over the eastern corner region.
• The authorities in Semarang ordered the ship Hoorn, which was headed to Macassar, to stop there to transport 500 Madurese auxiliary troops to Macassar, following instructions from letters dated 19 December and 31 December.
• Van der Niepoort had sent a separate report dated late December (which only arrived the day before) stating that ships were ready in Sumanap and orders had been given to send 500 warriors requested by the local prince, but the information about the Madurese troops was unclear about whether the local ruler had gathered ships or not.
• The ship Hoorn was ordered to sail to Sidajoe and wait there for further orders from Van der Niepoort.
• Van der Niepoort was commanded to follow the instructions strictly and work with great speed, especially if the Madurese were ready or had ships prepared for their crossing, in which case the ship should be sent directly to Macassar immediately.
• The letter mentions a lease agreement for collecting bird's nests in East and West Balemboangang and nearby districts, and discusses compensation for local rulers from the lease payment, but this section appears incomplete.

• On 13 January 1778 in Samarang, J. R. van der Burgh wrote a report.
• The ship Anna Maria returned from a failed voyage to Noessa Barang in Banjoewangie, along with 6 local ships that had been sent with supplies to that island, all in poor condition.
• The collection rights for bird nests in the newly conquered areas around that location were leased publicly in Sourabaija in late December for the year 1778.
• The lease for Ooster Balemboangang was awarded to Hang Boeijko, the Chinese Captain in Sourabaija, for 1,550 Spanish reals.
• The lease for Wester Balemboangang was awarded to Lieutenant Tan Tinlo for 850 Spanish reals.
• The total lease amount was 2,400 Spanish reals.
• Based on a letter dated 31 December from commander van der Niepoort, it was proposed to pay the following amounts from the lease income:
  • 150 Spanish reals to the Regent of Lamadjang
  • 100 Spanish reals to the Regent of Malang
  • 50 Spanish reals to the Head of Sabrang
  • 250 Spanish reals to the Regent of Balemboangang
• The total proposed payment was 550 Spanish reals to compensate these officials for what they previously received from the collection and for their assistance to the lease holder.

• On 13 January 1778, a letter was sent from Samarang to Reiniur De Klerk, the Governor General, and the Council of the Dutch East Indies.
• The writer reported that after sending his previous letter of 23 December of the previous year, he had received letters from the Governor General dated 19 December and 31 December.
• The ship Hoorn had arrived on 9 January and was sent on to Sidaijoe on 11 January because the writer was not sure if the panembahang (a local ruler) had gathered enough ships yet.
• The commander van der Niepoort received orders that if necessary, the ship Hoorn should be used to transport troops from Madura who were helping the Dutch. Otherwise, the ship should be sent directly to Macassar.
• According to a letter from commander van der Niepoort dated 31 December, troops from Sumanap had probably already left because the necessary ships were ready.
• The writer mentioned that yesterday (12 January), the wedding took place of the oldest daughter of prince Aria Mancoenagara to Radeen Tommongong Tjacra Nagarra, the first regent of Tagal.
• The Sultan's illness had not gotten worse and he was recovering.
• The Sultan had sent a letter yesterday asking to have 46 broken muskets repaired in exchange for payment, after the kingdom's administrator Danoeridja had repeatedly asked through chief van Rhijn to exchange defective weapons for new ones.

This document is a secret incoming letter that arrived from Macassar in 1779.

• From the police up to and including young assistants: 18 Europeans, 22 others, totaling 40
• From the church: 23 Europeans, 3 others, 20 children, totaling 2 additional (unclear calculation in original)
• From the medical service: 14 Europeans, 12 others, 4 children
• From the artillery: 35 Europeans, 31 others
• From the militia: 277 Europeans, 239 others, 38 children
• From the navy: 91 Europeans, 86 others, 5 children, totaling 7 additional (unclear calculation in original)
• From the crafts: 40 Europeans, 33 others, 6 children, totaling 1 additional (unclear calculation in original)
• From various service workers: 13 Europeans, 7 others, 1 child
• From the salaried workers: 1 person

P. Hogeman submitted a financial report on 24 July 1788 from Banda Neira. The document contained calculations about losses from uncollected taxes on nutmeg and mace over 20 years, amounting to various sums in rijksdaalders and guilders. The total calculations showed amounts of 161,396 rijksdaalders, 218,175 rijksdaalders, and 1,445,000 rijksdaalders across three separate counts, with a final sum of 4,839 rijksdaalders. Hogeman indicated he hoped to have fulfilled the orders given to him.

The document was certified as accurate by N. Op. 's Gravesande, who served as secretary of Banda.

The report was addressed to Reijnier de Klerk, who held the position of Governor General, and to the Council of Netherlands India. A brief summary was being sent along with the latest reports, as required by a general resolution from 19 December 1777.

J. Hageman submitted a financial calculation to the governor on 25 July 1778 in Banda Neira. The document showed several financial losses over 15 years:

1. A 15-year freeze on taxes at 800 reichsdalers per year was calculated at 12,000 reichsdalers
2. No interest would be paid on a loan of 83,783 reichsdalers, 36 stuivers, and 2 ¾ penningen at a rate per 100 per month
3. The loss of 50,000 pounds of nutmeg at one-tenth per year would amount to 750,000 pounds over 15 years
4. The unreceived one-tenth at 600 soekels per year could be calculated as 151,900 pounds of mace over 15 years

For the profits on nutmeg and mace, the annual calculation showed 722,500 reichsdalers, and for both India and Europe over 15 years this came to 18,370 reichsdalers.

The document contained three totals that were added together to reach a final sum of 125,027 reichsdalers.

Secretary A. A. S Gravesande confirmed the accuracy of the document.

A second calculation was addressed to Jacob Pelters, Extra-Ordinary Councillor of Netherlands India and Governor and Director of the province. It showed:

1. For 1,873 heads at 30 pounds each, 1,009 lasts and 2,460 pounds were needed over 5 years at 20 reichsdalers per last
2. The annual provision of 7,000 reichsdalers for the colleges following the example of 1763 would amount to 140,000 reichsdalers over 20 years
3. A 20-year freeze on taxes at 800 reichsdalers per year was calculated at 16,000 reichsdalers
4. No interest would be paid over 20 years on a loan of 183,783 reichsdalers, 36 stuivers at 7/8 percent per 100 per month
5. The loss of 50,000 pounds of nutmeg at one-tenth per year would amount to 100,000 pounds over 20 years

• First, for 1,873 heads at 30 pounds per month over 5 years, 1,069 lasts at 2,460 pounds would be needed, calculated at 20 rixdollars per last, totaling 21,396 rixdollars
• The yearly payment of 700 rixdollars for the colleges, following the example from 1763, would amount to 105,000 over 15 years
• The total calculation resulted in 26,396 rixdollars

• Neiro: 4 districts with 240 fruit-bearing trees, 300 young trees, and 2,400 seedlings planted in the ground, totaling 9,050
• Celam: 5 districts with 70 fruit-bearing trees and 240 young trees
• Binnecust: 6 districts with 2,340 fruit-bearing trees, 1,900 young trees, and 7,400 seedlings, totaling 6,360
• Lonthoir: 12 districts with 3,740 fruit-bearing trees and 2,220 young trees
• Ourien: 6 districts with 175 fruit-bearing trees, 9,775 young trees, and 9,645 seedlings
• Waijer: 7 districts with 123 fruit-bearing trees, 3,280 young trees, and 1,080 seedlings
• Poeloaij: 14 districts with 8,488 fruit-bearing trees and 1,903 young trees

• 1764: 566,940 pounds, paid 10,418 rijksdaalders, 40 stuivers, 8 penningen
• 1765: 666,490 pounds, paid 10,756 rijksdaalders, 28 stuivers, 8 penningen
• 1766: 607,226 pounds, paid 7,025 rijksdaalders, 13 stuivers, 8 penningen
• 1767: 448,838 pounds, paid 9,588 rijksdaalders, 15 stuivers, 8 penningen
• 1768: 612,588 pounds

• 1764: 107,900 pounds, paid 8,363 rijksdaalders, 24 stuivers, 30 penningen
• 1765: 232,074 pounds, paid 14,965 rijksdaalders, 2 stuivers
• 1766: 95,610 pounds, paid 25,946 rijksdaalders, 18 stuivers, 8 penningen
• 1767: 165,760 pounds, paid 23,468 rijksdaalders, 44 stuivers, 8 penningen
• 1768: 14,940 pounds

In the past, plantation owners in Banda lost an important way to make money due to a sad event. This loss of trees was very serious for the company. Since the problems began in Banda, no solutions could be found to help the plantation owner, the powerless councils, or the other unfortunate residents without asking for help from the same company. This company now faced costs and losses that had no equal examples in the records of past and present centuries.

The writer was not against considering whether it would be better if the plantation owners were kept uncertain about everything instead of being given immediate information about when they would receive their payments. Some plantation owners did not care about the company's interests and were careless.

In Banda, there had been a 5-year pause on paying interest on borrowed money. The total borrowed capital was 264,000 guilders, which meant a very significant saving of 59,900 guilders in interest. Despite this, the plantation owners still received 164,708 guilders and 42 stuivers from other regular local income for their general living expenses. They also received payment for nutmegs delivered over the following 5 years, which was 3,294 guilders and 37 stuivers per year, according to two lists numbered 3 and 4, besides the writer's separate letter of 19 August 1772.

There was very great difficulty in Batavia regarding the Banda survey obtained in 1693. Because of the terrible eruption of the volcano at that time, there were 80,196 fewer productive fruit-bearing trees than had been counted in 1686. At that time there still remained:

• 70,839 fruit-bearing trees
• 185,794 half-grown trees
• 315,354 young trees
• 579,987 trees in total

When 39,894 trees were subtracted according to the count from July 1778, there was a considerable negative difference of 540,093 trees in total. This could be used as a very urgent supporting argument for the writer's third proposal in his separate letter from May of this year.

The administrator reported that plantation owners in Banda had lost their main source of income due to a disaster. This loss of trees was very concerning for the Dutch East India Company. No solutions could be found to help the plantation owners, the weak colleges, or other unfortunate residents without asking the Company for help. The Company itself was facing heavy burdens and losses that had no equal in past or present records.

The administrator wondered if it might be better not to immediately inform the plantation owners about when they would receive their compensation payments, but instead to keep them uncertain. He argued that some plantation owners had become indifferent to the Company's interests and careless about Banda's welfare.

Despite these problems, the plantation owners had received:

• A suspension of interest payments on their borrowed capital totaling 264,000 guilders, which meant a significant debt relief of 59,400 guilders in interest
• Additional regular local income for their general support amounting to 164,708 guilders and 42 stuivers
• Payment for nutmeg deliveries over 5 years at 3,294 guilders and 37 stuivers per year, as shown in documents numbered 3 and 4, and in a letter from August 19, 1742

The administrator also referred to the serious difficulties in Batavia regarding a Banda survey from 1693. Due to volcanic activity at that time, there were 80,196 fewer fruit-bearing trees than had been counted in 1686. However, in 1693 there were still:

• 70,839 fruit-bearing trees
• 185,794 half-grown trees
• 315,354 young trees
• 579,987 trees in total

After subtracting 39,894 trees reported in the count of July 1778, there was a considerable negative difference of 540,093 trees in total. This could serve as strong supporting evidence for his third proposal from his separate letter from May of that year.

Van Bande reported about the fruit-bearing trees from April 1 to mid-August, which had not produced any fruit. Because many branches were damaged, the total amount of nutmeg and mace that could be collected in 1780 could only be calculated the following year. With good harvests and no setbacks, only very small amounts of spices could be obtained from such a limited number of trees.

Regarding the young growing trees, the resident reported that their growth period should be calculated as taking between 3 and 24 months at most. The commissioners from Neira determined the period as being from 3 to 5 years. This meant the first trees would need about 13 years and the last ones would need 10 to 12 years before they could produce worthwhile harvests.

Regarding the seeds planted in the ground, even more time was required. In his opinion, the set period of 15 years showed no mistakes that could be criticized.

To support this negative assessment, several points should be remembered:

• The example from 1763 regarding compensation for damage caused by the severe earthquake that occurred on September 1 of that same year
• Van Sande shared his findings with a 5-year suspension of interest payments on borrowed capital, which in their case totaled 264,000 rijksdaalders, resulting in a very notable debt relief of 59,400 rijksdaalders in interest
• Despite this, they still received 164,708 rijksdaalders and 42 stuivers from other regular income for their general maintenance
• Delivered nutmeg and mace in the following 5 years amounted to 3,294 rijksdaalders and 37 stuivers per year, according to lists number 3 and 4 attached to his letter of August 19, 1772
• The extremely great concern in Batavia about the news from Banda received in 1693 that due to the fury of the volcano, 80,196 main fruit-bearing trees were found to be missing compared to the count made in 1686

At that time there remained:

• 78,839 fruit-bearing trees
• 185,794 half-grown trees
• 315,354 young trees
• Total: 579,987 trees of various types

After subtracting 39,894 trees reported in the count of July 1778, there would be a considerable negative difference of 540,093 trees of various types. This could serve as a very pressing supporting argument for his third proposal in his separate letter from May of that year.

• First item by reduction: 126,396 rixdollars
• Second item: 171,131 rixdollars and 41 stuivers
• Third item: 10,837,500 rixdollars

• 17,216 fruit-bearing trees
• 23,618 young growing trees
• 35,935 pits planted in the ground

• The costs of various expensive but necessary assistance to plantation owners and colleges
• The disruption of various revenues from leases, loaned capital, and spice tithes
• The loss of many millions in profits from nutmeg and mace, both in Asian trade and through sales in Europe

1. The assistance to keep plantation owners and make required payments to colleges amounted to 161,396 rixdollars (see first section of appendix A number 1)
2. For the disruption of taxes, interest payments and spice tithes, a capital sum of 228,175 rixdollars and 39 smaller units had to be set aside (see appendix number 1, second section)
3. According to Banda's official description from 1735

• Problems clearing fallen trees along steep heights on one side
• The impossibility of removing trees piled up in deep valleys due to dangerous positions and lack of workers
• Young trees dying quickly from drought
• Seeds rotting in the ground