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No specific date provided in Amsterdam A married couple made arrangements for what would happen when one of them died. When the first spouse died, the surviving spouse would receive all their shared property and goods. The surviving spouse could use and manage everything as if it was their own, as long as they managed it well and provided proper care for any children. If the surviving spouse remarried, they had to prove their management abilities to: The surviving spouse had to raise the children properly from the income of the property, while keeping the main capital intact. However, the surviving spouse did not need to make an inventory or provide any financial guarantee. The first spouse to die appointed the surviving spouse as the sole and absolute guardian of their children and administrator of the children's property. In case of remarriage, supervisory guardians would be appointed. The city orphan's court (Weeskamer) of Amsterdam or any other relevant location was explicitly excluded from involvement. If the couple died without children and one of their fathers was still alive, each parent would receive their legitimate share of the inheritance as co-heir. The couple declared this to be their last will and testament, which could function as a codicil, gift among the living, or death gift, whichever was legally most valid. Witnesses present were: Gerrit Coken and Dirk Oortmond, who confirmed they knew the couple and that the names used were correct. Additional names appearing in the document: Willem Maartensen, Alam Pandel Jans de Jong, P. Zweerts Witsen
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On 18 August 1717, a letter was sent from Coromandel. The warehouse workers at Masulipatnam reported that Mina, China Mamina, was told she could never return to Batavia again, under threat of being put in chains. The warehouse workers at Masulipatnam were still worried about the orders given regarding the local government there. They were concerned that if they had to arrest people by force, even with the promise to punish them according to what they deserved, it would give the local population too much power. They feared that whenever local people committed crimes against the Dutch East India Company, the locals would demand to handle the punishment themselves. This would open the door for all criminals, since the locals could not be trusted to properly punish such wrongdoers, as this went against their customs. Therefore, the warehouse workers humbly requested new permission from their superiors to either: This way they would avoid problems with the local population, who would otherwise immediately claim the first option as a regular right. The Muslim women Miera China Mamina and Macatji were told upon their arrival that they could never return to Batavia, under threat of being put in chains. The young daughter Catharina Francisca de Zoute had also arrived safely. She humbly thanked the high authorities for allowing her passage. The letter stated that they had answered the authorities' previous letter as briefly as possible, except for a few points that would be properly addressed later in their appropriate place.
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Between 1 March 1772 and 31 December 1772, the political council of Samarang made several decisions:
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I apologize, but I don't see any Dutch historical text provided in your message. The assignment describes what you'd like me to do with a text, but the actual text to be summarized appears to be missing.

Could you please provide the historical Dutch text that you would like me to summarize?

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On 31 December 1772, officials in Samarang reported on several administrative matters. They discussed two estates, neither worth more than 1,000 Rijksdaalders, which had been placed under the care of the local guardians of orphans. These estates included the natural children of Albert Cok. The officials wanted to ensure the estates would not be diminished. Regarding staff matters, they noted the arrival of secretary Johannes Pieter Fabricius. They had assigned the young assistant Gerardus van der Geugten, who had been sent to learn the Javanese language, to work with the translator in Samarang. This was done because other young men had already been placed in Souracarta and Doepcarta for the same purpose. The officials recommended several personnel changes: The officials also requested approval for promotions: The document was signed by J. P. van der Burgh, M. F. Hemsing, C. L. Troppannegro, W. van der Beke, J. N. V. Pulkammer, J. C. Donis, B. van Eijs, J. van Santen, P. J. de Blij, and J. P. Fabricius.
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On 31 December 1772, the administrators reported they had asked the estate managers to provide information about which capital belonged to orphans and which orphans were involved. The estate managers were also supposed to report in their accounts how much of their capital belonged to known heirs and how much to unknown heirs, and for how long the deadline had passed for unknown heirs to come forward. However, the estate managers had not yet provided this information, so it could not be shared with the High Council. According to the accounts from the retirement home received on 19 May, the income from 1 March 1771 to the end of February 1772 was 2,330 guilders and 18 stuivers. The expenses were 2,178 guilders, which meant the home had gained 151 guilders and 22 stuivers. However, this included the cost of the building, repairs done over time, and some kitchen equipment, totaling 14,909 guilders and 12 stuivers. After subtracting this, the actual capital was only 2,237 guilders, 45 stuivers, and 8 penningen. The administrators instructed the external directors to show fixed assets and equipment separately in the future, not as part of the capital. They were also authorized to lend money on good mortgages within the city with two sufficient guarantors, and to make necessary repairs costing 51 guilders and 28 stuivers. Regarding household appointments and other matters, the administrators referred to their resolutions from that year. They thanked the High Council for providing all measures and weights for the annual requirements and promised to follow the recently received circular and other orders carefully. Because the rice harvest in the past year had been reasonably successful and the main city was well supplied, and the shipping route was currently closed, the administrators decided on 9 December to lift the ban on exporting and transporting rice and unhusked rice from this coast. The ban remained in place for the provinces of Amboina and Banda, and for places on the mainland directly under the Company's control. They asked the High Council to approve this decision. Earlier resolutions from 15 December 1768 and 1 September 1770 had authorized providing rice to the matron of the orphanage at the purchase price of 15 guilders per koyang, and monthly one koyang of rice to the administrator of the retirement home. The same arrangement applied to the jailer of the prison. However, no special authorization had been requested or received from the High Council for this, so they respectfully requested it now. They also asked permission to continue selling wheat from the warehouses to the public at 80 guilders per last, which was the same price bakers paid in the main city, as set by the High Council's letter of 6 July 1767 regarding 50 lasts of wheat sent from Batavia. Finally, they submitted the wills of assistant master Francois Crabinus and forest ranger Albert Cok. The first was passed before Oeloepampangs resident Hendrik Schophoff and witnesses on 13 December 1771, and the second before Tagals bookkeeper Abraham van Hemert on 22 March 1772. Both men had since died. The Council of Justice had declared both wills invalid and referred them to the administrators. Neither will showed whether the testators had been asked if they had parents or legal heirs still alive, nor had they declared this. Without giving the legal share or any bequest to these heirs according to current law, they had passed them over in silence and named foreign or illegitimate heirs instead. Additionally, Crabinus's will failed to state whether the testator had been asked, according to the stamp duty ordinance, if his estate exceeded 2,000 guilders. Since the administrators did not feel authorized to decide on these matters, they asked the High Council to decide whether these wills should be considered valid or invalid despite the omissions.
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By 31 December 1772, the church relief organization (Diaconie) faced serious financial problems. The expenses were 5905 rijksdaalders, 1 stuiver, and 8 penningen, while the income was only 5131 rijksdaalders, 42 stuivers, and 10 penningen. This created a deficit of 73 rijksdaalders, 6 stuivers, and 14 penningen, reducing the capital to 22629 rijksdaalders, 20 stuivers, and 8 penningen.

Within this total capital, 10328 rijksdaalders and 41 stuivers were used for the children's home costs, leaving the actual capital at only 12300 rijksdaalders, 27 stuivers, and 8 penningen. The deficit showed that the interest from this small capital, combined with the ordinary income of the church relief organization, was no longer sufficient to cover the costs. The number of children had grown from 110 to 117.

On 19 May, the deacons asked the church council for two things: to stop including the orphanage costs in the capital calculations and to provide suggestions for reducing expenses and increasing income. The church council fulfilled this request, and on 9 December 1772, several measures were approved:

The church treasury had a balance of 254 rijksdaalders, 38 stuivers, and 8 penningen at the end of February 1771. From then until the end of February 1772, income was 606 rijksdaalders and 33 stuivers, while expenses were 358 rijksdaalders and 8 stuivers. This increased the balance to 863 rijksdaalders, 15 stuivers, and 8 penningen. The church's capital, free of debt, was 363 rijksdaalders, 15 stuivers, and 8 penningen.

The church building and minister's residence had cost the congregation 17000 rijksdaalders. However, even though the church had been newly built only 3 to 4 years earlier, according to a report by Lieutenant Engineer Sustman, it already had several defects that needed repair to prevent the building from deteriorating further. The deacons requested permission to organize a collection, both locally and at all trading posts under this government, to raise the necessary funds without burdening the company. They also requested approval for repairs to the minister's residence costing 102 rijksdaalders and 12 stuivers from the church treasury.

The orphan chamber's capital on 1 March 1771 was 31496 rijksdaalders and 2 penningen. By the end of February 1772, expenses were 10212 rijksdaalders, 1 stuiver, and 1½ penningen, while income was only 8360 rijksdaalders, 17 stuivers, and 14 5/10 penningen. This created a deficit of 1761 rijksdaalders, 22 stuivers, and 13 5/10 penningen, reducing the capital to 29734 rijksdaalders, 25 stuivers, and 4 9/10 penningen.

The estate administrators received 1509 rijksdaal

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Unknown officials requested various materials and supplies for the year 1772 in Samarang. The request included a long list of tools and materials needed by an engineer, such as an astrolabe with chains and accessories, a case with mathematical instruments, a compass, elephant paper, 12 fine drawing pencils, 12 common drawing pencils, 36 fine drawing brushes, 36 paint brushes, carmine, 12 copper beer and wine taps, various types of red paint and varnish, 3,813 pounds of red earth, 6,000 pounds of black earth, 500 small barrels, glass windows in different sizes (100 pieces of 10 to 13 inches, 200 pieces of 7 to 9 inches, 450 pieces total), 25 packs of needles, 4 pole lanterns, 100 white tassels, and 500 white tassels of another size.

The request also included half a pound of brown umber, 2 pounds of king's yellow, half a pound of white Arabic gum, 4 pounds of Berlin blue, half a pound of prepared indigo, half a pound of vermilion, 2 pounds of Spanish green, 3 pounds of minium, 2 pounds of oil stone, and 1 piece of something unspecified.

The request mentioned a need for craftsmen, including 1 house carpenter, 1 mason, 1 coppersmith, and 25 coffin makers. There was a shortage of craftsmen, so hired workers had been used for repairs.

On October 31, 1772, there was remaining stock in Batavia from previous shipments. This inventory followed a general resolution from Batavia Castle dated July 18, 1768. The remaining goods included:

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This document records military equipment, provisions, and supplies at Samarang in the year 1772. The text shows lists of requested items (demands), remainders (restants), and what was available.

Military weapons and equipment included:

Food and drink supplies included:

Equipment and materials included:

Church and school books included:

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December 1772, an inventory was made of ammunition goods, equipment goods, and remaining supplies.

Ammunition Goods

Equipment Goods

Disposal of Remaining Equipment Goods - Old Sails

Additional Equipment

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This document is a detailed inventory list from December 1772 for the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in Semarang. The list records various supplies, their remaining stock, and new orders needed. The inventory included: Metal products and construction materials: The document noted that the first 4 types of materials had no remaining stock and were urgently needed for the shipyard, which would otherwise have to stop work. Other supplies: Gift goods including fabrics: Other gift items: Stamped paper and seals: Military supplies and ammunition:
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On 31 December 1772, the council decided to divide something into quarters: one quarter for the Court of Justice, one quarter for the retirement home, and half for the orphanage to help cover the heavy costs that especially the orphanage had to bear at that time. All the regents showed themselves willing to contribute their assigned shares. The transport and collection of products for the Company from this coast to Batavia, Amboina, Banda, and Ceylon during approximately one year (from 1 December 1771 to 1 December 1772) consisted of the following amounts, according to a detailed report:
  • 5,828 koijangs of rice
  • 182 1/3,900 green cadjang
  • 2,125 pounds of indigo
  • 373 picols of cotton yarn
  • 13,669 pounds of long pepper
  • 7,980 pounds of red pepper
  • 5,534 pounds of cubeb or tail pepper
  • 270 pounds of cardamom
  • 74,614 pounds of sugared tamarind
  • 24,140 cans of coconut oil
  • 100 sacks of teak seeds
  • 775 cans of earth oil
  • 6,550 bundles or 32,000 pounds of paddy
  • 153 39/490 loads of salt
  • 680 cans of javanese oil
  • 22 vessels from the Rembang shipyard and various timber works
All this together, including shipping fees, amounted to 331,787 guilders, 12 stuivers, and 8 penningen. A detailed report showed what had been delivered from this coast to Batavia and other places during the past year and what still needed to be delivered, along with the reasons why some items had not been fully delivered. Orders to Rembang had been renewed to prepare and maintain the timber works that had been specifically requested in a letter from 6 October of the previous year. Since then, some anchor beams had already been sent with the ship the Young Petrus Albertus and the beacon vessel the Seahorse, with the hope that more would follow. However, in the past year, just as in previous years, there had been a shortage of ships for transport. Only 2 ships had arrived at this coast to collect timber that year, and it had not been possible to load a single one at Rembang. The council hoped that their superiors would attribute the non-delivery of timber works to this situation rather than to inattention or neglect of duty. Following orders to arrange for the red-dyed cotton yarn requested by the Gentlemen Seventeen for 1773 as a test, some had been spun and dyed in Samarang and some in Paccalongang. Samples were being offered to the superiors with a humble request to know if they were satisfactory to fulfill the order. They had been assured that the color, which was currently quite darker than the Dutch sample, would become lighter through aging. The council submitted a general request for cash, merchandise, and necessities for this coast for the year 1773, along with a report of goods that remained in stock in the middle of the year. They humbly asked that this request be favorably considered and fulfilled as economically as possible. The total amount was 83,941 rijksdaalders and 8 stuivers. Since the income and profits on this coast for several years had barely been sufficient to cover the costs and fees, there was currently no prospect that anything would remain from the income to pay for local products that the regents were obligated to deliver, especially given the extraordinary costs of the expedition in Balemboang and the significant carpentry costs agreed upon for Company buildings in both Samarang and Sourabaija.
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On 31 December 1772, repairs and maintenance were carried out on fortifications and buildings at the main trading post, based on approval received from the higher authorities. The lodge or small fort at Joana with its buildings and dependencies had been completed. Merchant Adriaan van Duin and Lieutenant Engineer Fredrik Soestman were sent to inspect whether everything was properly constructed according to the approved plan by titular Captain Lieutenant Engineer Haak. Based on their report, Resident Willem Philip Neuwirth was authorized to write off 6,349 rixdollars and 42 for labor costs, lime, stones, iron and other building materials, as well as 1,479 rixdollars and 10 for purchased sawn timber and some beams taken from supplies. This did not exceed the amount approved by the higher authorities in a letter from 13 June 1771. Regarding the Company's toll collection points along the coast, these were partly leased again to the regents for 3 years at the previous price without increase or decrease, and otherwise publicly auctioned. According to the accompanying statement, they brought in 8,072.5 Spanish reals per month or 96,870 Spanish reals per year. This was 58 Spanish reals more per month or 696 per year compared to the previous 3 years. Orders were given not to lease the toll collection points in Balemboang and Lamadjang for the time being and to wait for better times. Officials in the eastern corner were instructed to ensure that nobody collected any duties at those places, nor harvested the pearl reefs that might be there. They were also to prevent the import of prohibited goods and ensure that bird's nest cliffs in those areas were only exploited by people working for the regents, with the condition that everything collected must be delivered to the Company to be sold with proceeds shared fairly. By decision of the Council from 16 March 1763, a tax on Tandak performances was established to cover costs of the Court of Justice and to benefit the retirement home and later also the deaconry for the orphanage under the jurisdiction of Samarang. The Adipati was obliged to pay 600 rixdollars annually for this. He had paid this amount year after year but repeatedly requested to be excused from this obligation. Since nobody wanted to take on this tax for more than 100 to 125 rixdollars per year, and it was not fair to burden only this head regent while leaving others free, and no other source of funding could be found for the two charitable institutions and the Court of Justice, it was decided (subject to approval by higher authorities) to make the tax on Rongin and Tandak performances general across all places and regent districts of the Company along this coast. The tax would be assigned to each regent in his own district, provided they or those actually receiving the income at various trading posts would pay an annual contribution appropriate to each one's means and not burdensome:
  • Rembang: 100 Spanish reals
  • Padjankoengan: 60
  • Batang: 20
  • Paccalongang: 40
  • Pantalang: 20
  • Samarang: 100 rixdollars
  • Pamacassang: 20 Spanish reals
  • Sumanap: 64
  • Madura: 80
  • Joana: 20
  • Sourabaija: 64
  • Passourouang: 20
  • Banger: 20
  • Bangil: 8
  • Blandoeng: 20
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    31 December 1772: The colonial officials in Java wrote a report dealing with several financial and administrative matters.

    They discussed problems with payment regulations for servants working on the coast. These rules had been in place since before a favorable declaration by the High Authorities on 23 December 1763. The officials noted it would be very difficult for servants who received fixed payments to have to repay money they had long enjoyed and considered their own. Some of these people had left the region, others were absent, and many had died, some even bankrupt. The amounts in question included payments from the years 1768/69, 1769/70, and 1770/71, as detailed by the Trade Bookkeeper Domis.

    The officials requested to be excused from repaying 2 amounts of 5 guilders 13 stuivers and 1,854 guilders 4 stuivers, plus an additional one-sixth as a reward for discovery. They also asked that the 5 percent provision calculated on higher rice prices be forgiven: 1,278 guilders 7 stuivers for 1769/70 and 1,292 guilders 13 stuivers 8 penningen for 1770/71. They promised that future bookkeeping for 1771/72 and onwards would follow the High Authorities' intentions.

    The Resident of Rembang, van Son, had collected 46,300 Chinese planks beyond the required amount, worth 4,630 rixdollars, which were properly received by the Company's treasury and accounted for by late August of the previous year.

    Following orders, the officials credited the Bantam Command with 8,000 rixdollars that had been sent from the king there but were never collected. This amount was included in their calculations for reduced cash needs in 1773.

    The salary books for the government for 1770/71 were only closed after the ship Vreedestein departed, so they would be sent at the first opportunity in the coming year. Meanwhile, according to their resolution of 9 December, specially appointed commissioners would examine and inspect them following a circular order from 30 July 1753 that had not previously been implemented.

    The officials also reported on inspections of salary books from 1769/70 to 1770/71 in Samarang, Surabaya, and Surakarta, carried out according to a circular order of 18 July 1771. The inspectors examined whether estates of deceased and bankrupt Company servants had been properly inventoried, sold, administered, and accounted for by the Curator adlites or the sequester (estate administrator).

    The inventories and auction records matched correctly, and the Curator adlites had transferred proceeds from several estates to the Company's treasury. However, the sequester had not done the same. The proceeds from estates administered by him - those of former fiscal Mr. David Richard, court messenger Cornelis Kuijpers, and late petty cashier Willem Joachim De Laver - had been used to pay debts and arrears.

    Regarding 4 iron cannons of 12-pound ball sent from Tagal on the ship Cattendijke, the officials thanked the High Authorities for approving the write-off of the 5th cannon that fell into the sea when a boat capsized and was lost, as well as artillery and other goods lost to pirates.

    The officials ordered the current sequester, Cornelis Coelzier Junior, to send papers of the aforementioned estates received from his predecessor Johan Gottfried Helmke to the sequester of Company servants' estates in Batavia, along with 30 rixdollars 38 stuivers belonging to De Laver's estate. They also reported that 53 rix

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    • On 31 December 1772, officials had to extend a deadline until the end of January for reasons given by the first-mentioned person.
    • The High Authorities approved the request from van den Panhuijs, the receiver of the Domains, to pay his shortage of 3,332 guilders and 10 stuivers for stamped paper in installments. The business bookkeeper was ordered to create an account for this at the main office books, and the receiver was instructed regarding the responsibility for the seals according to the High Authorities' regulations. The secretary and the First Police Clerk were appointed to conduct the recommended monthly inspection of the seals.
    • The head surgeon Bonneken had already paid the compensation of 350 guilders and 19 stuivers into the Company's treasury for the purchase costs of insufficiently accounted medicines.
    • The equipment supervisor Magnus Thoorenberg was also ordered to pay 628 guilders, 8 stuivers, and 8 pennies for the costs of two capital advances for equipment goods that showed greater shortages than surpluses in his administration. However, he claimed poverty and submitted a petition on 31 December 1772 requesting either relief or to pay only 209 guilders, 9 stuivers, and 8 pennies (the purchase costs of the shortage). The officials considered his request worthy of presenting to the High Authorities with a favorable recommendation, because he had gained no benefits from his administration, there was no indication he had enriched himself directly or indirectly, and it appeared likely that items had been issued orally without proper orders and thus not written off in the books.
    • Officials in the eastern corner had closed and sent their business books from 1771/1772. These would soon be inspected, and the findings with their decisions would be respectfully submitted to the High Authorities.
    • Since the High Authorities approved all decisions regarding the shortages and surpluses found in Rembang, Joana, Paccalongang, and Tagal, no further special instructions were needed for those places.
    • However, instructions were sent to Japara where the Resident Mr. Willem van der Beke was informed of the High Authorities' decision in his favor regarding the cash and goods totaling 4,289 guilders, 12 stuivers, and 8 pennies that his predecessor Coop â Groen had not received. The orphan masters would transfer this amount from Coop â Groen's estate into the Company's treasury to credit Japara. Van der Beke was also ordered to restore 128 beams that had been taken from the ship Blijenburg in 1766 and had rotted or gone missing on the island de Nesse. He was asked to provide clarification about the reported imported special sugar tax, and since tax collectors' arrears totaling 6,300 rixdollars remained at van der Beke's risk, he was to transfer these in the 1771/1772 books and debit himself for them. According to the High Authorities' stipulation, he was to pay half (3,150 rixdollars) at the end of 1773 and the other half at the end of 1774, properly recording this in his treasury and outstanding accounts.
    • The marginal notes on the business books of this coast from 1768/1769 were answered and provided with their decision from 9 December 1772.
    • The High Authorities ordered the restitution of the amounts that the heads of Souracarta and Djokjocarta had received in Dutch money that exceeded what they were granted in Indian money according to the household accounts on 31 December 1772. The settlement of the debt of the former First warehouse master Hemsing and the compensation of other items with one-sixth above the first and last as a bonus for the Inspector
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    On 31 December 1772, officials discussed financial discrepancies that needed to be charged against the Company's accounts and their causes needed to be shown. Quartermaster Dingeman Radermaker was to be charged on his salary account for 72 pounds of lead, which was part of a quantity of 1,552 pounds that was delivered short when returning from Sourabaija with the sloop Samarang. Additionally, the value of the remaining 1,480 pounds of lead, which could be melted down to make musket balls, was to be credited there, along with 13 grenadier muskets that had been sent back as unfit but were found to be repairable. That year, no foreign ships were reported on this coast except the Macau vessel Santa Catharina, which had already been mentioned in the letter of 7 June. In November, this ship appeared again on the north side of Sumanap, took on water, and left behind 2 crew members. These men, along with 2 others previously found from the same vessel on Poulo Mandalica, would be sent to the authorities when shipping to the main settlement resumed. Because the regular patrol vessels had been employed mostly in the east during the past east monsoon season, continuous patrols against the 8 pirates could not be carried out. However, along this coast they caused more fear than actual damage. Elsewhere, small traders suffered greatly. In November, near Tanjong, pirates attacked, captured and took away a vessel belonging to resident citizen Isaac Pietersz. Similar misfortunes reportedly befell some vessels from the opposite coast. This harmed free shipping and trade, although it had otherwise been quite prosperous. During the past year, 80 private vessels from the opposite coast arrived and were all inspected by judicial commissioners in the presence of the fiscal, according to orders. This was recorded in resolutions dated 31 January, 25 February, 17 April, 8 May, 5 June, 20 June, 4 July, 30 July, 3 September, 19 November, 9 December, 19 December and that day. In one native vessel, a quantity of 70 pounds of wild cinnamon bark, peeled like Ceylon cinnamon, was found. This was seized, confiscated and burned. Another 596 pounds of this aromatic bark was similarly seized by the Rembang Resident Hendrik de Wacker and sent to headquarters, taken from a vessel that had arrived there from Baviaan or the island of Lubocq. For the first mentioned quantity, beyond confiscation, a fine of four times the value was imposed and collected, based on article 3 of the recently renewed regulations on free shipping to the east and north. However, the bringers of the second batch were excused from fines because the cinnamon was publicly imported and declared on their pass, so their claim of ignorance about the prohibition regarding this item had to be believed, according to the resolution of 17 April. Approval for this decision was respectfully requested. Regarding the accounting books of this government, specifically the differences between the balances from the book year 1770/1771 and the reports from the general inventory taken at the end of August 1771, the authorities' decision and approval on the resolutions taken on 24 September would be strictly observed. At the meeting of 15 December, it was decided to send extracts from the honored letter of 3 December and from the resolution of 24 September to the accounting bookkeeper as far as Samarang was concerned, and to the subordinate offices as far as each was concerned. These contained instructions to correct the relevant items regarding compensation, settlement, crediting, collection and write-offs by the end of August 1772 in the subsequently kept books for the year 1771½. The books had to be closed and sent to
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    On 31 December 1772, Dutch colonial officials in Java wrote about various shipping and administrative matters. The ships Leckerlust and Het Huis te Boede would transport 5 small boats (jollen) to Amboina as requested by higher authorities. Officials in the eastern corner of Java were ordered to send a boat and small vessel that had been left at Grissee in spring 1772 by the bark De Ida to Maccasser at the first opportunity. Since the officials worried these vessels might not arrive, they requested that a ship destined for Maccasser stop at Grissee to pick them up.

    The sloop De Taxisboom, located in the Pamalang district, would be publicly sold on 15 January at Tagal with its sails and rigging, after the cannon and ammunition had been removed. Officials thanked their superiors for permission to build a new pilot vessel at Grissee for 300 rijksdaalders. They ordered that it be built strongly and that the old pilot vessel be sold afterward.

    The regent of Lassum had been warned about higher authorities' displeasure regarding his slowness in paying his quota and the poor construction of a pantjalling (a type of vessel) he had delivered for 1771. He promised to quickly deliver the 2 pantjallings he owed for 1771 and 1772, built according to specifications. The resident of Rembang was instructed to maintain strict supervision over the construction of these vessels and to have any defects repaired at the regent's expense.

    Three ships bound for Amboina arrived on the Java coast: Velzen on 7 December, Vlietlust on 27 December, and Zeekerlust on 26 December. Officials were working quickly to load them at various posts. The ships Velzen and Vlietlust would receive rice rations for the sailors and exiles being transported. The ship Velzen had been in great danger for a full day near Japara due to strong northwest winds and currents, nearly running aground on cliffs, but was rescued with much effort and help from shore. Because of this, planks that Vlietlust was supposed to collect from there were instead brought by small vessels.

    The sloop Het Loo arrived on 23 December. Its chief mate Abraham Rossieux had reported concerns about water shortages and illness among some crew members. Officials immediately supplied water and replaced 4 Europeans and 3 Moors who had to be hospitalized with 3 other Europeans and 2 Moors. The vessel continued its journey to Amboina on 25 December.

    From Sourabaija, shortages were reported: quartermaster Dingeman Dadermaker was charged 8 guilders, 11 stuivers, and 8 penningen for 40 cans of arak and 7 pieces of sail needles that were not delivered from the sloop Samarang's cargo. Sailor Jan de Graaff was charged 6 guilders, 11 stuivers, and 8 penningen for 10 cans of arak and 1 piece of Bengali cloth that were short from goods transported by prauwa (native vessel). However, officials decided not to deduct these amounts from their wages because the arak shortage was due to poor quality barrels used for quick supply to the eastern region, and the cloth might have been lost without the commander's knowledge due to lack of secure storage in an almost open vessel. Officials

    View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3362 / 0099  


    On 31 December 1772, officials discussed several matters concerning the Dutch East India Company's territories. The conquered district of Balembo was not yet profitable for the Company. Although peace seemed stable at that moment, the officials warned that Javanese princes and leaders often started conflicts unexpectedly over perceived wrongs. The first military expedition to occupy the area had cost the Company ƒ287,316.10, and subsequent operations to maintain control cost nearly as much. The land was ruined by war, and the population had declined due to fighting and disease. It remained uncertain when peace would be fully restored. In 1771, shortly after two local administrators were exiled and a Javanese person was appointed as their replacement, the local people opposed the Company and disrupted plans for governing the conquered districts and collecting products. Officials were waiting to see if the new arrangements would work once peace was fully established. The officials also awaited a report about an investigation into the causes of an incident that occurred on 8 December 1769 in Joana. Regardless of why the local people attacked, Resident Neuwirth was blamed for carelessness in giving proper orders and maintaining adequate guard duty, which led to the destruction of the lodge. Officials were displeased with a case involving former prosecutor David Riclaad in Semarang. The Court of Justice there had not handled the matter properly, as they lacked sufficient reasons or opportunity to arrest Riclaad. The report that Riclaad had jumped from a boat at night and drowned seemed suspicious. Officials expected further investigation into what happened to him. Regarding currency problems: on 9 September 1769, 2,396.25 guilders in old coins had been declared invalid and ordered exchanged for current money in the Company's treasury, but this had not happened. Since 1764, 5,415 guilders in invalid currency had accumulated in the Company's treasury. When the current Governor took office in July 1771, he cleared 2,011.625 guilders of this from the treasury during the 1771-1772 fiscal year and replaced it with valid currency. Officials hoped this action would be approved. Concerning ships and cargo: officials followed orders to collect river stones used as ballast when ships arrived, and reuse them as ballast for vessels returning to headquarters instead of using sand. This order was also sent to subordinate offices. The Resident of Rembang was reminded to ensure that ferry boats requested for headquarters were prepared and sent in the coming year.
    View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3362 / 0097  


    • On 24 December 1771, repairs were made to the boat called De Hoop from Grissee, costing 422 guilders, 13 stuivers.
    • A boat from Taxisboom cost 205 guilders, 1 stuiver, 8 pennies.
    • 4 rented boats cost 135 guilders, 18 stuivers, 8 pennies.
    • The Resident of Japara spent 150 rijksdaalders on repairing the gunpowder house there, as it could not be delayed any longer due to serious defects.
    • A boat from the bank 'T Zeepaard in Rembang cost 42 guilders, 14 stuivers, 8 pennies.
    • 52 bottles of rosewater were lost when 242 bottles stored in the Company's warehouse became spoiled, cloudy and unusable. Only 190 bottles remained full and acceptable in smell. On 26 November, the head surgeon was ordered to purify them through a new distillation process.
    • On 4 October, it was decided to double the ordinary number of water containers at the watch posts and barracks from 10 to 20, as the previous number only lasted one day. The containers were fitted with lids on the bung holes so filled ones could be closed. Instructions were given to ensure the containers were regularly cleaned, filled with good drinking water, and only one container left open for use at each location.
    • Following orders from 8 May 1764 and 1 August 1769, instructions were renewed on 20 August about conducting the general inventory twice yearly and properly preparing and closing the trading books. Instructions were also given about setting up monthly outstanding records at the various offices.
    • To prevent disputes about stamped paper for the account of the receiver of Crown lands, which was sometimes sent to subordinate offices without proper documentation, it was decided on 20 September to account for all stamps by invoice to each office. Stamps sent from headquarters would be recorded the same way as those received there. Officials were ordered to keep proper accounts of the stamps like all other Company goods and to report the money received monthly to the treasury and in outstanding records.
    • The armory, which had long been under the administration of the warehouse masters even though there was a foreman, was separated according to the decision of 26 November and placed under the direct responsibility of the current foreman Jan Pieter Jpsen. He provided a bond of 2,000 rijksdaalders. This was done both to better secure the Company and because those whose profession involves handling such goods and who work with them daily can maintain better supervision.
    • In the Court of Justice, due to the absence of First Warehouse Master Domis who was in Tagal, and the unavailability of payroll bookkeeper Beems and other members at intervals, the sessions on 20 August and 28 October required the addition of head surgeon Fredrik August Bonneken and trade clerk Paulus Jacobus De Blij to ensure the criminal cases, which were exceptionally numerous, could proceed without hindrance.
    View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3362 / 0030  


    On 24 December 1771, colonial officials in the Dutch East Indies reported several matters to their superiors. They had spent money on urgently needed repairs to the Company's buildings. The officials thanked the First Signatory for arranging that the Madurese leaders Raden Panji Wira Diningrat, Panoelaa, and Souranata, along with their wives and families, were sent to Ceylon instead of Banda. Regarding ships and vessels, the officials reported on the sloop Samarang. After an inspection by specially appointed commissioners and the ship's captain Christiaan Raebel, they found the vessel needed more than ordinary repairs. On 2 August they had decided to repair it. According to a report from the head of the shipyard in Rembang, Johannes Horning, the repairs to the hull, standing and running rigging had been completed so thoroughly that the sloop could sail for a long time without needing significant repairs. The officials requested approval for the costs, which included labor wages and equipment for rigging. According to a specification from the equipment overseer Magnus Tornberg, inserted in their resolutions of 26 November, the total amount was 2,393 guilders and 13 stuivers. The sloop De Hoop, which had been deemed unfit on 2 November to transport a cargo of salt to the main settlement, was inspected again by Horning. According to his report received at the session of 26 November, the defects were so serious and extensive that repairing them would likely cost as much or more than the vessel's current timber value of 51 guilders. On 24 December 1771, they noted that the transshipment of goods, especially wet goods, caused more waste than usual, and no one could be held responsible for the shortage. They also discovered from the cargo list of the mentioned ship that a fire engine had been sent but had not arrived, apparently remaining at the main settlement. The patrol vessels had kept the waters along the coast reasonably clear of pirates during the past year, providing safety for small traders. Pirates had captured a prahu mayang loaded with 1,050 old coconuts near Pekalongan, but abandoned it without rudder or mast when the patrol ships approached. The vessel was brought in. Following their decision of 20 September, the officials had written to the temporary Resident in Tegal, Domis, to search for the owner of the vessel. According to his letter of 23 October, the owner could not be found. At the later session of 1 November, they decided to sell the prahu mayang and coconuts publicly to benefit and encourage the patrol crews, pending approval, for 37 rixdollars. Concerning write-offs, the officials presented the request from the Balembangan Residents Biesheuvel and Schophoff (the first had since died) to write off 1,800 pounds of green cadjang left over from previous expeditions that had been completely eaten by worms. They also requested approval to write off supplies provided to various ships at this coast:
    • 76 guilders 8 stuivers to the ship 't Huis te Boede at Gresik
    • An amount to the Vlietlust at Pekalongan
    • 130 guilders 3 stuivers to the Admiraal de Ruiter at Tegal
    • 103 guilders 1 stuiver 7½ penningen to the Ruiteveld at Juwana
    • 71 guilders 9 stuivers at Japara
    • 30 guilders 5 stuivers
    • 27 guilders 4 stuivers 8 penningen
    View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3362 / 0028  


    On 24 December 1771, officials discussed several administrative matters. A previous letter from 22 November had been withdrawn, and the Resident requested reimbursement from Batavia for expenses already incurred. A report from special commissioners showed that labor costs for making molds and nails amounted to approximately 300 rijksdaalders. The officials suggested these molds could be used again for future similar requests. Two boats with 6 oars each were ordered for Maccasser. These boats, measuring 36 feet wide, 10 feet long, and 3½ feet deep, had been requested the previous year. The Rembang Resident was instructed to arrange this, and officials asked that the ship traveling from the main location to that government stop at Rembang to pick up these vessels. New orders were issued regarding trade from Maccasser to Batavia. Ships were now permitted to stop along the coast and sell slaves, provided they paid the required import duties upon arriving at the main location. The coastal trading posts would be informed of these changes. Officials asked for clarification on whether Article 2 of the conditions for coastal renters still applied, which required payment of 10 rijksdaalders for each slave over 5 years old. They also asked whether ships with proper passes that arrived on the coast and then wished to continue to the main location after selling their slaves and cargo would need to pay additional import duties beyond the toll already paid. Officials instructed staff to record the names of people from various ships who remained in the hospital or on land according to the model provided in a letter from 26 November. Staff in Sourabaya would also receive these instructions. Although it would be difficult to obtain 1,000 koyangs of rice at the required time and price for the main location and Ceylon, officials would try to provide it. Since this had not been included in their most recent request, they asked for an increase of 25,000 rijksdaalders in cash, with a deduction of 2,000 rijksdaalders that they had been permitted to use by bill of exchange. Officials expressed gratitude for various permissions granted, including allowances for people sent to the Netherlands, those who were hired, and those permitted to remain while awaiting employment. They also thanked authorities for approved write-offs of losses from a public auction on 3 August, including 3 unusable barrels of butter worth 111 guilders, 15 stuivers, and 8 penningen, expenses of 455 5/8 rijksdaalders for a performance, supplies provided to ships according to recent expense accounts, and 6,794 rijksdaalders and 8 stuivers in accepted expenses.
    View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3362 / 0026  


    On 24 December 1771, officials reported on several administrative matters in the Dutch East Indies.

    Regarding currency distribution:

    • They had written to employees in the eastern corner near Evengem with instructions to regularly report how much of the currency had been distributed and how much was still needed
    • The currency was offered to regents in the surrounding area on favorable terms
    • Only the Regents of Tagal accepted, agreeing to take 5,000 Reichsdalers
    • Others declined, claiming the severe shortage of silver coins throughout Java would make it impossible to return the currency on time

    They informed the Surabaya employees about a proposal by Johannes Vos, a former Governor and Director of the coast. The proposal was to give households moving from the eastern corner to the Balemboangsche area 2 Spanish Reals each as rice money, to be paid from the Company's share of 50 bundles of kispinge from Palembang. However, no one had shown interest yet.

    The Regent of Lassum was reminded to deliver the Pantjalling (a type of wood) he owed for this year in early spring.

    Regarding timber deliveries:

    • 5,792 beams had been requested beyond the remainder from 1770 and this year's quota
    • Before they could distribute the work among timber-supplying districts and determine payment rates, they needed to know how much timber would be requested for 1772
    • They respectfully asked to postpone their response on this matter

    They wrote to the Resident of Japara to count 553 mill planks of 1½ inches, which had arrived from the Cape of Good Hope government on the ship De Snoek, toward the Batavia order. They would follow orders not to collect and purchase timber types that were already available in large quantities in Japara, Rembang, and Joana from orders of 1768, 1769, and 1770. In the future, once the year for which an order was placed had passed, they would only focus on fulfilling the most recent order.

    They would continue investigating cardamom and pearls reportedly found in the Balemboangsche area. They had ordered the Surabaya employees, particularly commander Luzac, to conduct further inquiries and to encourage the Regents of Sidaijoe, Sumanap, and surrounding islands to regularly deliver whatever they could find to the Company.

    They mentioned orders given on 9 December to Rembang to construct one sloop and two Pantjallings (boats) for the Amboina government.

    View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3362 / 0024  


    • 6 December 1771: A request was submitted by junior merchant Herman Ludewich, who asked to remain at the coast. He requested to receive a junior merchant's food allowance and payments starting from June or since his arrival. He wanted to stay so he could be employed when a vacancy in a junior merchant position became available. In the meantime, he would continue helping with trade work and train other clerks to make them capable. The officials needed him especially to close the trade books for the book year 174/17 on time. They asked for a favorable decision on his request.
    • The local council had condemned 5 Javanese men to be chained for life and banished from the coast to a place that the authorities would choose. These men were: Bappa Salija from Souralaija (suspected of being involved in murder), Miropathij, Sumanap Maas Ombarang, Sidoel, and Caamans. The first one had been captured earlier, and the last one was recently caught by the regent of Paccalongang while pursuing Kerto's small gang that had appeared in his districts. The officials asked where these harmful subjects should be sent.
    • The letter was signed by I. R. van der Burgh, M. T. Hemsing, C. L. Troppannegro, W. van der Beke, B. van Eijs, I. M. van Panhuijs, A. C. Mom, and I. van Santen from Samarang on 6 December 1771.
    • 24 December 1771: A letter from Batavia was addressed to Petrus Albertus van den Parra, Governor General, and the Council of Netherlands India.
    • The letter referred to their previous respectful letters of 6 December and responses to letters dated 4 November and 22 November, and mentioned receiving more letters dated 26 November and 3 December.
    • They noted that the resident of Rembang had communicated the permission granted to Aan Boeijko, captain of the Chinese nation in Sourabaija, to build 2 boats (one of 90 feet and one of 80 feet) with Dutch rifles. They would also help the messenger of Gusti Badong upon arrival to purchase a small vessel with a local rifle.
    • Following orders, they had instructed the authorities in Sourabaijasche by letter of 15 November to send all silver money received in exchange for copper coins as soon as more than 5,000 rijksdaalders had been collected. They would ensure that no more money than needed for daily expenses would be kept there.
    • They thanked the authorities for permission to spend the recently received small copper coins that were left over both there and in the Oosthoek region. These could be given out on 5 to 6 months credit in exchange for silver coins, money for money. This was mentioned in a separate letter of 11 January.
    View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3362 / 0022  



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