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The officials of a Dutch East India Company settlement wrote a formal letter to Jeremias van Riemsdijk, Governor-General, and the Council of Netherlands India. They reported that they had received a circular letter dated 29 December of the previous year. Through this letter, they learned with appropriate emotion about the death of Petrus Albertus van der Parra, who had served as Governor-General on behalf of the United Netherlands and the Dutch East India Company (referred to as Geelvinck Company) in India. The same letter confirmed that Jeremias van Riemsdijk had stepped up to take over the important and distinguished position of Governor-General.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0021
On
31 December 1775, officials wrote from
Samarang thanking the authorities for favorable decisions regarding several promotions:
Commander
van der Niepoort was ordered to properly inventory and safeguard the goods and possessions still found in the
East Corner belonging to the deceased chief merchant
Luzac, and to send them to the honorable board of orphan masters in
Batavia during the next east monsoon season when a suitable opportunity arose.
Quartermaster
Alexander van der Laan, who had been in command of the patrol boats from
Samarang along the coast for some time and had since been transferred to the
East Corner, was called back. Upon his return, the local prosecutor would conduct a thorough investigation into allegations of embezzlement he supposedly committed, according to a report from
Frans Albregt Gronardt, a citizen from
Makassar. The outcome would be reported to the authorities.
Three second bills of exchange were submitted:
Payment of these bills was respectfully requested.
The letter was signed by
J. R. van der Burgh,
M. F. Hemsing,
F. van Ardenne,
W. van der Beke,
A. Cornabé,
W. van Hogendorp,
J. M. van Panhuijs,
J. van Santen,
H. Ludeurg,
M. L. Gaeswijck,
A. P. Tulleken van Hoogenhouck, and
A. Barkeij.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0019
On
31 December 1775, officials reported to their superiors about favorable arrangements for the government's income. The Dutch East India Company would now receive bird's nests as payment in kind instead of the previous toll system, after deducting what had to be paid to the tax farmer in
Batavia for the tree and scales tax.
The superiors decided to lease out the import and export of rice separately, except for the region of
Beloedjamie. New lease conditions were printed and further expanded, and a copy was offered to the superiors.
The leasing of domains along the coast took place for 3 years: 1776, 1777, and 1778. The following arrangements were made:
- Harbor masters' offices in Passourouang, Sidaijve, and the sale of earthenware pots there, Sumanap, Pamacassang, and the slaughtering of buffalo and cattle in Samarang were leased to the respective regents on the previous terms
- Other regents and tax farmers did not want to accept the separation of the rice lease from the general toll, so these had to be auctioned publicly to the highest bidders
The total revenue from all harbor masters' offices together was 8,340.5 Spanish reals per month, or 100,006 Spanish reals per year. This was 3,216 Spanish reals (or 4,020 Dutch guilders) more than the previous 3 years had yielded. The officials hoped this revenue would satisfy their superiors and wished for fruitful times so the tax farmers could pay their lease amounts and avoid requests for reductions or discounts.
During the leasing and in the presence of nearly all the Company's regents, leftover fabrics were sold. From a purchase value of 14,666 guilders and 13 cents, a profit of 8,762 guilders and 14 cents was made, representing 59.5 percent profit. This information was shown to the superiors in an accompanying financial statement.
The orders to ship rice in double sacks with no more than 62.5 pounds per sack would be strictly observed and communicated to subordinate offices.
The employees in
Sourabaija had reported the death in
Batavia of senior merchant
Ms.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0017
Librus Albertus van der Parra, the Governor General, and the Council of Netherlands India received a letter from Batavia. The letter was written as a follow-up to an earlier letter dated 15 August and responded to letters received on 7, 13, and 15 of the same month. The writers reported that on 18 of the month, the ship Velsen arrived at the house in Bijwag. The ship carried the following cargo:
- 225 coijangs of rice
- 2 units of white table rice
- 2,700 jars of coconut oil
- Jarrak oil
- 50 beams 25 to 26 feet long and 11 to 12 inches thick
- 10 beams 12 inches thick
- 100 beams 20 to 25 pieces
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0015
On
1 November, a visit inspection of 8 local vessels took place. A fine received by the council of justice was ordered to be brought into the Company's cash office.
The arranged guarantee for the widow
De Blij was accepted, and cash money that was still recorded in the books from
Meijer was to be paid out to her.
The changed order to collect 15 percent on bird's nests in kind was to be written in a circular letter. What the fiscal officer had requested regarding this matter was noted.
The tax collection offices of
Caliwongo,
Candal, and
Batang were to be auctioned off by the end of December.
Instructions were to be written in a circular letter about the purchase of 2,000 koyan of rice for
Batavia.
Cornabe was ordered to demand compensation for 125 pounds of indigo that had been found to be defective.
Residents were instructed to follow orders to prevent mistakes in numbering bales of cotton yarn.
On
11 November, instructions were sent along with Dutch and Batavian extracts.
Information about escaped bandits from
Rosingain was to be reported to the outer offices.
The
Rembang resident was ordered to give ships only 4 vessels in tow and to provide good rope for this purpose, which he could request from headquarters if needed.
Points of instruction were sent to the outer offices.
Strans was promoted to corporal.
The receipt of trade and salary books for 1775 was announced.
Several requests were denied, including that of
Meenen to become corporal.
The receipt of trade and salary books for 1772/5 was noted.
It was expected that the
Toudang regent would fulfill his promise.
The regent of
Lassum had been summoned to headquarters for certain reasons.
Regents who still owed cotton yarn had to pay this before the end of December.
The receipt of trade books was reported.
A list of transported rice was still expected.
The
Caebsen plank request was sent back to be fulfilled in spring when shipping to
Batavia.
The remaining rice was also to be shipped at that time.
The recovery of a lighter by the cruisers was noted with approval.
An order was given to correct a mistake in the protocol.
The examination of trade books from 1779/3 would be dealt with.
Instructions were written about erecting a flagpole.
Rice quotas had been fulfilled, and the same was expected for the cotton yarn.
The examination of trade books would be dealt with.
Approval and confirmation with some papers was granted.
On
16 November 1775, the
Sourabaya officials were ordered regarding the shipping of rice for
Banda.
The decision of their High Excellencies regarding
Kroonenburg was to be written for observation.
A certain omission by
Dreier was to be corrected and brought to
Batavia's benefit.
Qualification for writing off certain two items was noted.
Points of instruction were sent to
Sourabaya.
Certain papers were still expected.
Their High Excellencies would be asked about the write-off on the cargo of the
Johannes Cornelis.
Everything had to be fulfilled by the end of December.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0259
- 1750: Due to the impossibility of salvaging items from a sunken ship, the iron that was recovered was received. The cardamom sent by the authorities was also received and would be credited according to the invoice.
- D' Arkel was promoted to the rank of Cannonier.
- A request was made for a list of rice that was privately transported to Batavia.
- It was expected that the 8 pieces of yarn still outstanding would be paid by the end of December. Instructions were given to report who owed this debt.
- Instructions were given to provide the size of wood needed for a flagpole.
- The rice quotas had to be settled by the end of the month, and the 8 pieces of yarn had to be paid by the next payment date.
- A judicial inspection of 2 native vessels took place.
- Approval was given to deduct the normal percentage for spillage for the warehouse master.
- Some unsuitable goods were to be shipped to Batavia.
- Points of instruction were sent to Surabaya.
- A request for green cadjang was made.
- A recommendation was made that the regents should fulfill their rice quotas, as well as the pangerang of Madura and others with their oil and other items.
- Rhaf was promoted to Corporal.
- The investigation into the behavior of Engelbert was awaited.
- Information was expected about how the cargo of the ship Johannes Cornelis had turned out.
- Orders were given to send the Johannes Cornelis to Rembang to be supplied there.
- Approval was given to pay certain amounts for the 2 forts in Balemboangang, and to accept money on exchange for this purpose.
- A summary of the Balemboangang expedition was to be offered to their High Excellencies, and a copy was to be requested.
- A certain list of native military personnel was to be given to Gerlach for examination.
- A certain account regarding condemnation and confiscation was to be received.
- Confirmation with the instruction from Batavia was noted.
- November 1, 1751: A summary was made of a Tagalog letter and a resolution from the authorities of the ship Herstelder, concerning the capture of a lighter by sea pirates.
- A request from the widow De Blij to receive money that appeared in Van Meijer's books was approved, with the requirement of posting security for repayment.
- The request from Barkeij to add another 100 guilders to the 150 guilders already in the church fund was approved, for the maintenance of Soutlemonde's grave tomb. This was to be recorded annually in the financial statement.
- Orders were given that graves and vaults had to be repaired by their owners within 2 months, with consequences stated for non-compliance.
- Approval was given to pay repair costs for the church and warehouse from the church fund.
- A decision was made regarding the reviewed trade books.
- E. Hemsing was again assigned the management of the main administration, as well as the presidency of the Council of Justice. Van Santen and Barkeij were excused from performing the duties of head administrator.
- A record was made of the inventory and transfer of the large cash box to E. Hemsing, and of the inventory of the other administrations.
- Bonneken was dismissed as associate member from the Council of Justice
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0257
- 1 September 1757: Orders were given to unload cargo there and give it priority.
- Page 25: There was also suspicion that in November 1000 bags of rice were ready for Banda.
- Remarks were made about the piloting into port at Leijerdorp.
- Questions were raised about why the cruisers had been sent home so early.
- Instructions were given about the timely sending of trade books from there and those from Palemboeangang.
- Page 26: Orders were given to send the excess silver money back.
- Gelder was promoted to quartermaster.
- Instructions were given not to purchase tamarind beyond what was required.
- Page 27: The completion of the fortress was approved.
- Raedshooven and Princen were promoted to corporals.
- Authorization was given to write off some native soldiers from the books.
- The planks for Ceylon were to be sent back by the end of the month.
- The unusable boat from Velsen was to be sold.
- Page 26: The proceeds were to be credited to Batavia.
- Information was given about what would be supplied from there upon request.
- Orders were given to provide the ship Vrouwe Geertruijda with the vessels that were ready.
- The quick loading of the Vrouwe Geertruijda was expected.
- Instructions were given to leave necessary space in it for 600 to 700 planks.
- Page 29: The same ship was to tow the vessels from the Rembang timber yard.
- The quick preparation of the woodwork for the Cape was necessary.
- The regents were to be informed of the council's satisfaction with the payment of their rice arrears, and a ship would be sent soon.
- The Vrieskon was to depart with the Vrouwe Geertruijda to Batavia.
- Instructions were given to request his relief there.
- The specification of the repairs there was approved.
- Page 30: Information was also expected about the erection of a flagpole.
- Information was requested about what the renewal of the unusable ramparts would cost.
- Confirmation was given of the monthly letter.
- Page 31: Points of instruction.
- 12 September 1751: Points of instruction to Sourabaija to collect the products. It was hoped that the ship from Ternate had arrived or would appear soon.
- Instructions were maintained to unload there the goods destined for the Netherlands and as much rice as could be transported.
- The shipment of oil for Batavia had to be arranged there themselves, since no transport could be arranged from here.
- Approval was given for the measures taken to save the Johannes Cornelis and salvage its cargo.
- Page 32: Further instructions were given in this regard.
- Some points had to be met before agreement could be reached on the payment of monthly wages to Captain Abdul Raim and others.
- Page 34: Van Schaar was hired as a soldier. The requested wage increase for Siewerts was postponed.
- Approval was given for the letter.
- Page 35: 10
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0255
The Political Council of
Semarang recorded various administrative matters from
2 September to the end of December 1775.
On
2 September, the following actions took place:
- A judicial inspection was conducted of 5 local vessels
- Remmeke was hired as a sailor and placed on the ship 't Huis te Bijweg
- 3 people from the retirement home were ordered to return to their duties
- Authorization was given to pay repair costs for the orphanage and minister's residence from the poor relief and church funds
- Money from a certain vessel and goods were to be divided among the patrol vessels
On
5 September, a report was made about an inspection of the pantjallang (a type of vessel), and missing goods were to be written off.
On
7 September, that small vessel was to be repaired for its defects. A report was made about taxes collected on sugar over 6 months. Authorization was requested for repairs to the hospital and retirement home, using capital from unknown heirs held by estate administrators. Authorization was also requested to write off costs for a hospital built outside the city, for a completed sailors' lodge and boat house, and for lodges and buildings in
Tagal and
Paccalong.
On
15 September, a request from the
Gresik resident
Domis was to be presented to the High Authorities.
On
2 September, business was conducted regarding letters from the High Authorities dated
24 and 30 June,
11 and 21 July, and
18 and 22 August of that year. These concerned the loading and dispatch of the ship
Delfshaven to
Malacca, notes about expected and arrived ships, and matters regarding
Velsen and the arrival of
Leijdorp.
Certain witnesses would soon be presented to the sultan. Thanks were given for permission to export rice and unhusked rice to the opposite coast. The wood request for
Onrust was assigned to the
Rembang resident. Ships to
Banda would be loaded according to instructions. The request for long pepper would be fulfilled, as would the requested 130 bushels of firewood or meat wood. The
Japara resident was asked to return 566 guilders and 6 stuivers. Thanks were given for write-offs of expenses from the
Balembangan expedition and for the construction of 2 new forts there. The latter amount was to be recorded in the books according to orders. The situation of disabled persons was discussed. A request was made for payment of a money demand. Certain people requested by the Court of Justice were discussed. Various documents were confirmed and approved.
Lentzlin was promoted to sergeant and
Smael to corporal. Instructions were given that the ship expected from
Ternate should call at
Rembang but must be dispatched directly via
Semarang to
Batavia. Orders were given regarding trading posts.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0253
In 1775, political decisions were made between 1 September and December concerning the eastern coast of Java. These included additional documents from Semarang.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0251
December 31, 1775: A ship left from Samarang for Amboina carrying 25 pieces of swamp wood (22 to 25 feet long, 3 to 4 inches thick), 700 barrel staves, 50 windlass beams, and 50 beams wrongly taken for windlasses, along with 32,000 pounds of rice and 6,400 pounds of beans as provisions for the crew.
The ship Blijswijk, which was also bound for that government, arrived on the 22nd. After loading 2,700 cans of lamp oil and jar oil, 480 items, 36,000 pounds of rice, and 7,200 pounds of beans as rations for the voyage, it continued on the 23rd to Joana and Rembang for further loading.
The ship Velsen also departed on the 20th or 21st of this month from Grissee to Banda.
The ship Renswoude was currently being loaded in the Oosthoek.
The officials in Sourabaija were informed about the loading of the third ship destined for that province, the Kroonenburg, at Batavia, and that they should not wait for that vessel.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0016
The document compared the financial situation of
Java's northeast coast for the fiscal year 1775/1776 against the targets set in the Household Management Memorandum from
1755.
Their High Nobles had set the following financial targets in the Household Management Memorandum:
- General expenses: 380,000 florins (Indies money) or 313,500 florins (Dutch money)
- General profits and income: 400,000 florins (Indies money) or 330,000 florins (Dutch money)
The actual results for fiscal year 1775/1776 were:
- Expenses: 270,575 florins, 14 stuivers, and 8 penningen (42,924 florins, 5 stuivers, and 8 penningen less than the target)
- Profits: 404,722 florins, 16 stuivers, and 8 penningen (74,722 florins, 16 stuivers, and 8 penningen more than the target)
When the lower expenses were added to the higher profits, the coast showed a surplus of 117,647 florins and 2 stuivers compared to the Household Management Memorandum. This was 30,372 florins and 8 stuivers more than in 1774/1775, when there had already been a surplus of 87,274 florins and 14 stuivers. The government of
Java's northeast coast achieved a real profit of 134,147 florins and 2 stuivers for the Company in 1775/1776, which was unprecedented in the records, especially since the last peace treaties and since the Company had controlled the coasts.
The document listed outstanding debts at various trading posts and how they changed in 1775/1776:
- Samarang: increased from 275,946 florins, 19 stuivers to 281,668 florins, 6 stuivers, and 8 penningen (increase of 5,721 florins, 7 stuivers, and 8 penningen)
- Sourabaija: decreased from 87,719 florins, 17 stuivers, and 8 penningen to 75,069 florins and 10 stuivers (decrease of 12,650 florins and 7 stuivers)
- Rembang: decreased from 58,568 florins, 6 stuivers, and 8 penningen to 40,494 florins and 8 stuivers (decrease of 18,073 florins and 18 stuivers)
- Banjouwangie: decreased from 50,069 florins, 9 stuivers, and 8 penningen to 45,486 florins, 3 stuivers, and 8 penningen (decrease of 4,583 florins and 8 stuivers)
- Glissee: decreased from 23,787 florins and 12 stuivers to 27,362 florins and 13 stuivers (increase of 3,575 florins and 1 stuiver)
- Sumanap: increased from 4,458 florins, 14 stuivers, and 8 penningen to 5,091 florins and 8 penningen (increase of 632 florins and 6 stuivers)
- Soana: increased from 27,602 florins, 3 stuivers, and 8 penningen to 34,292 florins and 15 stuivers (increase of 6,690 florins and 12 stuivers)
- Paccalongang: decreased from 31,566 florins and 8 stuivers to 28,036 florins, 1
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0249
The document shows financial records comparing income and profits across different years and locations in Dutch-controlled Java.
In 1773/6, the office had no rice shipments to other governments, so it earned no profit from higher pricing or soldier salary exchanges.
In Paccalongang, there was an increase in profits due to larger rice shipments to Ceylon compared to the previous year and greater profits from traded goods.
In Djokjocarta, there was a decrease in profit from soldier salary exchanges because fewer salaries were paid out.
The general profits and income in 1777/6 were ƒ17,317:5:8 higher than in 1779/5.
When comparing 1775/6 to 1772/5:
- Income from soldier salaries and paid-out salaries decreased by ƒ696:3 because fewer winning monthly salaries and previous year balances were paid out
- Profits from goods, shipped rice, and recognition payments from the privileged distillery in Samarang increased by ƒ13,696:6:8 due to greater sales of goods sold directly or auctioned by December 1775
- Profit from rice shipped to other governments decreased due to smaller shipments, but recognition payments from distilled liquor remained the same as in 1772/5
General income from yacht fees, barge fees, and the Lord's rights for products not received, plus profits from shipped timber, totaled ƒ303,455:6 in one year and ƒ307,772:8 in another, an increase of ƒ4,317:2.
The increase came from higher lease payments, barge fees, twentieth-penny taxes on sold property, recognition payments for bird nests sent to Batavia, and more products delivered by regents in Grissee on their quotas for free. However, less rice was delivered in Sourabaya and less timber came in from most timber-supplying offices.
Previous year's general Javanese profits were recorded at Toana (ƒ1,000) and previous year's general Javanese income at Rembang (ƒ204:10:8), Tagal (ƒ825), and Paccalongang (ƒ1,501:5), totaling ƒ2,530:15:8.
After calculations, profits and income in 1775/6 exceeded those in 1774/5 by ƒ17,317:5:8.
Adding the reduced expenses of ƒ13,055:2:8, Java's Northeast Coast showed a total improvement of ƒ30,372:8 in the book year 1775/6 compared to 1774/5.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0247
- At various trading posts, this account did not record repairs or expenses.
- At the fortification in Souracarta, the daily wages of bricklayers working at the trading post were recorded under fortifications instead of this account as before.
- Previous year's expenses and costs: When the books were closed, the following trading posts showed deficits on this account:
- Samarang: ƒ830:18:-
- Sourabaija: ƒ122:10:-
- Sumanap: ƒ3:-:-
- Banjoewangie: ƒ56,204:4:- (for expedition expenses)
- Paccalongang: ƒ42:19:-
- Souracarta: ƒ31:3:8
- Total: ƒ57,234:14:8
- From this amount could be deducted what came as profit to this account at other trading posts:
- Rembang: ƒ17:2:-
- Tagal: ƒ320:8:8
- Djokjocarta: ƒ41:9:8
- Total: ƒ379:-:-
- Thus previous year's expenses and costs remaining in arrears: ƒ56,855:14:8
- The general expenses totaled ƒ283,630:17:- in one year and ƒ270,575:14:8 in another.
- The difference showed that the general fixed expenses in 1775/6 (the last fiscal year) were lower than in 1774/5.
- Native servants' monthly wages: ƒ1,342:9:- in one period and ƒ570:5:- in another.
- Statement of general profits and income of each trading post, showing increases and decreases in fiscal year 1775/6 compared to 1774/5:
- Samarang: ƒ275,867:5:8 in 1775/6 versus ƒ309,418:11:- in 1774/5, a decrease of ƒ33,551:5:8. The increase was due to greater trade in goods and profits made on them, income from lease payments, tjatjas and ballangers payments, one-twentieth tax on sold real estate, and recognition money for bird nests sent to Batavia.
- Sourabaija: ƒ35,031:6:- versus ƒ34,181:16:8. Lower because 34 coijangs less rice was delivered for free by the regents on their quota than in 1774/5.
- Grissel: ƒ22,132:4:- versus ƒ24,352:15:8, a decrease of ƒ2,220:14:8. Higher due to larger delivery from quotas of coconut oil and cotton yarn for free.
- Banjoewangie: Higher markup on supplied soldiers' pay because less pay was disbursed there. Lower because less timber was delivered by the forest people.
- Joana: ƒ16,786:9:8 versus ƒ7,670:7:8. Lower because less rice was shipped from that trading post to other governments at the permitted higher purchase price.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0245
1772/5 and 1773/6 were compared in terms of expenses and revenues across various Dutch colonial operations in Java.
- Hospital costs at Surabaya, Banjoewangie, Kouracarta, and Djokjocarta increased compared to 1772/5, but overall hospital expenses decreased because fewer supplies were provided at Samarang, as no workers came there in 1776 to help restore the main settlement.
- Less money was spent at Samarang on the enlarged and improved town hall, prison, and hospital being rebuilt, and on repairs to other buildings, compared to 1774/5 when new writing offices and sailors' lodgings were completed. Other offices, especially at Tagal and Paccalongang where lodging costs occurred in 1771/5, cost little or nothing in this accounting period.
- Fortification costs increased due to the final renewal of the embankment along the city at Samarang, repairs to fortress gates and guardhouses, and because at Souracarta and Djokjocarta the labor wages for native masons working on lodgings were charged to fortification accounts.
- Ship expenses decreased because vessels on this coast that were constantly loaded required and received fewer supplies of provisions and rations.
- Costs for boats and smaller vessels increased due to more ammunition goods supplied and more repairs done to the pantjallangs (small boats) and other vessels here and in the eastern corner, especially for equipping a new pantjallang for Sourabaya, now called the Anna Maria.
- Condemnation accounts showed higher costs because while the expenses normally charged to this account were lower in themselves, fewer profits came in and fewer goods were confiscated than in 1774/5, causing this account to close unfavorably.
- Navy wages increased because seafaring servants stationed on Java received higher wages and more was paid out to them.
- Land soldiers' wages decreased because fewer earned wages were recorded and paid out, and also because fewer payments were made for previous years' accounts and outstanding balances.
- Gift-giving accounts increased. Ordinary gifts to princes and nobles recorded in the Samarang books amounted to 3,292 guilders 5 stuivers, which was 521 guilders 13 stuivers less than in 1774/5. However, presents that the High and Mighty Lords sent directly to the princes themselves totaled a considerable sum of 8,130 guilders 7 stuivers 8 penningen: twice to the susuhunan for 5,253 guilders 15 stuivers 8 penningen and once to the sultan for 2,876 guilders 12 stuivers, making this account much higher.
- The shipyard at Rembang cost less because during this accounting year no work was done on the yard or its associated crane.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0243
- 1775/6 compared to 1774/5: Various Dutch East India Company posts in Java showed different expense levels.
- Banjoewangie (also called Balemboangang): Expenses decreased because fewer cost allowances and rations were given to servants, fewer salaries were paid, and less gunpowder was used.
- Another location: Expenses decreased due to fewer cost allowances, rations, salaries and wages given out, fewer supplies provided to loaded ships, and no expenses paid to the shipyard's inspection station.
- One residency fell slightly behind due to writing off some unusable goods and providing more supplies to loaded ships.
- Japara: Expenses increased only because of costs for renewing the communication bridge between the Fort and the Company's warehouse there, while all other expense accounts were lower.
- Sagal: Expenses decreased because all expense accounts, especially those for repairs and carpentry, were lower (except salaries).
- Another location: Expenses decreased due to lower costs for carpentry and repairs.
- Paccalongang: Expenses increased because although household expenses and paid salaries were lower, more rations were given out, more hospital costs were incurred, more was spent on the new lodge, and more gifts were given to the emperor. The gifts sent directly from Batavia by the High Authorities to the emperor amounted to ƒ5,253:15:8.
- Souracarta: (figures listed)
- Japara: (figures listed)
- Joana: (figures listed)
- Rembang: (figures listed)
- Djohjocarta: Expenses decreased due to lower costs overall and especially fewer paid salaries and lodge expenses, although gifts to the sultan were actually higher because that ruler also received gifts directly from the High Authorities worth ƒ2,876:12:0.
- Total general expenses in 1775/6 were ƒ13,055:2:8 lower than in 1774/5.
- Comparison of 1773/6 versus 1775/6: Rations increased by ƒ1,304:14:0 because more servants at some trading posts received more generous allowances of free cost money and rations.
- Ordinary expenses increased by ƒ859:15:8 because at Samarang, Banjoewangie, Sumanap, Joana, and Djokjo Carta unusable goods were written off and more wages had to be given to retired servants; otherwise this expense would have been lower through savings at all trading posts.
- Some expenses decreased through strict economy in writing off gunpowder and providing materials.
- Extraordinary expenses decreased by ƒ957:8:0.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0241
During the financial year 1775/6, financial records were presented showing the general expenses, profits, and income from the various trading posts on Java's northeast coast. These records were respectfully submitted to Jeremias van Riemsdijk, the Governor General, and the Council of Netherlands India.
The financial summary showed:
- General expenses for all trading posts in 1775/6 totaled ƒ270,575:14:8
- Profits and income totaled ƒ404,722:16:8
- This resulted in profits exceeding expenses by ƒ134,147:2:0
Compared to the previous financial year 1774/5:
- Expenses in 1774/5 had been ƒ283,630:17:0
- Profits and income had been ƒ387,405:11:0
- The surplus in 1774/5 had been ƒ103,774:14:0
Therefore, the government of Java had improved its financial position in 1775/6 compared to 1774/5 by ƒ30,372:8:0.
This improvement came from:
- Expenses decreasing by ƒ13,055:2:3 (from ƒ283,630:17:0 to ƒ270,575:14:8, including the Balemboang trading post expenses of ƒ16,432:15:0)
- Profits and income increasing by ƒ17,317:5:8
A detailed breakdown of expenses by trading post showed:
At Samarang:
- Expenses in 1775/6: ƒ91,836:5:0
- Expenses in 1774/5: ƒ89,300:18:8
- Decrease of ƒ2,585:6:8
- The reduction was due to more economical provision of daily household necessities, fewer provisions supplied to ships and smaller vessels, lower hospital costs, fewer advance salary payments, fewer gifts given to native princes and nobility, and especially because expenses on company buildings and works were less than in the previous year
At Sourabaija:
- Expenses in 1775/6: ƒ48,778:5:0
- Expenses in 1774/5: ƒ46,209:9:0
- Increase of ƒ2,568:16:0
- The reduction in some areas came from fewer free meal allowances and rations provided, fewer daily household necessities used, and fewer monthly wages paid. However, there were increases due to paid salaries and supplied gunpowder, and greater provision of meal allowances, rations, and liquor, as well as paid engagement salaries
At Sumanap:
- Expenses in 1775/6: ƒ2,502:12:0
- Expenses in 1774/5: ƒ2,831:3:0
- Decrease of ƒ328:11:0
At Grissee:
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0239
The date is not specified in the text. No persons, places, or events are described in this brief text fragment, which appears to contain only the number 8.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0233
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0232
The ship named the Cornelia Adriana de Reezenaar, captained by
Htshauije de Corme, could not reach
Palembang but instead sailed to
Joana. The ship lost an anchor and had many sick crew members. Due to a lack of water, the captain was forced to seek a harbor on
Java. On
17 August, the ship anchored at
Joana. The writers informed the authorities about this and included a package from the first resident there,
Jan de Vries. They also enclosed a bill of exchange for merchant
Carel Fredrik Severin worth 12,000 reichsdalers and requested that it be paid. The letter was signed by
J. R. van der Burgh,
J. M. van Panhuis, and
F. van Ardenne on
24 December 1776.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0231
On
24 December 1776, officials in
Soerabaja wrote to the High Authorities about several matters:
- Sailors from the ship Aschat, which had been shipwrecked during a voyage from Bima, were staying in the hospital in Soerabaja. The officials requested that these men be granted civilian freedom and that their wages be paid from the date the High Authorities decided appropriate.
- Corporal Jacob Muller requested to be released into civilian freedom because his time of service had expired. The officials forwarded his request to the High Authorities.
- Two assistants, Jacobus Christoffel Poulusz and Jan Jacob de Rodja, submitted requests to be released from the Company's service. Their wages had been stopped on 5 December after they asked to be excused from a journey to Banda.
- The chief surgeon and hospital administrator Jan Fredrik August Bonneken reported about 3 old or disabled men: Hendrik Heijmans (upper sailmaker), Christoffel Ehrenschild (soldier), and Casper Snijder (sailor). He requested they be admitted to the almshouse with regular support.
- The officials reported which regents had received weapons and ammunition.
- They expressed gratitude for the policy to encourage quartermasters and sailors on land or on ships who did not already earn the highest wages to sign new 3-year contracts by offering them an extra 3 guilders per month.
- They noted they would inform everyone about the renewed decree from 16 June 1762 that prohibited buying or selling subjects of the King of Spain who had been enslaved by the Moors.
- They sent the military strength report for the end of November.
- They sent a copy of the specifications for a large boat that had recently been sent from Rembang to Banjermassing.
- They would write to Resident van Hogendorp to carry out the High Authorities' orders.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0229
In
December 1776, 197 soldiers were sent to various locations. Some went to
Surakarta and
Djokjakarta to complete the garrison, but most were sent to the eastern corner. The soldiers had been commanded on
24 December 1776.
The authorities expressed gratitude for the favorable consideration of their proposal. They were pleased to be allowed to provide soldiers who were still on debt 4 good months instead of only 3, and to raise the wages of those earning only 7 or 8 guilders to 9 guilders per month on their current contract.
Regarding civil servants, they thanked the authorities for approving
Willem Kerkman as secretary of the Court of Justice. They requested that Resident
Keijzer's request to postpone his permitted trip to
Batavia be excused for now.
The Residents at
Japara and
Rembang,
van der Beke and
van Hogendorp, were informed they could postpone their trips until 1777. Resident
Brustens of
Paccalongang was also granted permission to make a trip to
Batavia.
Following orders from
29 October, 6 permits were issued by Resident
Keijzer. Bookkeeper
Born was proposed.
Pieter Vincent Born, who was bookkeeper and former secretary of the Court of Justice, was sent to
Banda. His salary was restored because he had deliberately delayed settling his affairs so long that there was no opportunity to send him to
Batavia.
Gerardus van Geugten, a student in the Javanese language who had advanced considerably and whose contract as young assistant was nearly expired, was recommended for promotion to full assistant.
Similarly, soldier
Martinus Bakhuisen at
Djokjakarta and sailor
Matthijs Elberths at
Banyuwangi requested promotion to assistant with regular allowance, as both had served at their writing duties for a considerable time with satisfaction and deserved this favor at their remote locations.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0227
The
19th of April resolution required the Deacons to keep no more than 1,000 Rijksdaalders with the Administrators for daily expenses. All remaining money had to be stored in a specially made chest under their own lock, placed in the Company's large money safe. They were ordered to invest the money securely and report monthly to the First Governor about income received and amounts invested or paid out.
The city treasury showed a favorable balance on
ultimo February of 305 Rijksdaalders, 33 guilders, and 8 stuivers. According to the account included in the resolution of
16th of March, income exceeded expenses and charges by 33 Rijksdaalders, 15 guilders, and 8 stuivers.
The writers noted they could not detail all household affairs in this document and asked permission to refer to their resolutions from that year.
Regarding escaped prisoners:
- On 20th of October 1775, certain escaped prisoners took 639 Rijksdaalders and 4 guilders
- On 24th of December 1776, other exiles escaped from the island of Edam
- Orders for tracking them were sent everywhere, including to Pasuruan
- Nothing had been heard of them on this coast
- Some were important Javanese exiles, and the writers hoped they would stay outside Java's territory and be captured or killed elsewhere
- Former exiles would have to pay back weapons and ammunition goods given to them in Batavia for defense, according to the invoice dated December 1776
The ship
Kroonenburg brought 40 snaphance rifles and 1 drum for the Regent of
Pasuruan to use against hostile inhabitants of the island of
Noessa. These were forwarded to
Surabaya with orders to deliver them to that Regent.
The military strength on this coast as of
ultimo November was shown in a general strength statement. The writers thanked the authorities for sending reinforcements of 107 soldiers on
24th of December 1776.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0225
On 24 December 1776, it was reported that a tax of half a stuiver was still being collected from people who sold items outside the bazaars, even though this tax should have been abolished so that it would not need to be paid at the bazaars in Semarang. However, a certain fee or lease was still being collected by the Head Regent at all bazaars in the area, and he received important revenues from this. The Head Regent had been told about this situation, but without success, and his unwillingness appeared to come from his own self-interest. He also showed no interest in considering the Governor's proposal to lease the bazaar for the benefit of the retirement home for only 500 Spanish realen per year, which was the same amount he had paid less for the Ronging and Tandak lease since 31 December 1772, compared to what he had been required to provide in previous years and lastly in 1772 for the benefit of the Council Chamber of Justice and the retirement home. The officials felt obliged to report extensively about this bazaar, which had been set up according to higher orders but had not succeeded due to resistance to their efforts, and they requested to be provided with further orders and approval on this matter.
It was noted that the structures that had been built on the new bazaar, according to a report by Head Administrator van Panhuis and Commander of the Militia van Ardenne, cost 479 rijksdaalders and 5 stuivers and had been paid for without costs to the Company or to the retirement home.
The capital of the Deaconry poor relief fund, which at the end of February 1775 had increased by 3,661 rijksdaalders and 12 stuivers according to the account statement included in the resolution of 19 April of that year, continued to grow. However, the number of orphans had now risen to 134, and the number of outdoor poor was also increasing, which meant the costs were also increasing over time. Therefore, while taking all possible care for good administration of the Deaconry funds as recommended by the higher authorities, the officials had not only allowed at the session of 16 May a sum of 300 rijksdaalders to be loaned by the administrators of the fund on a mortgage that upon investigation could not be found, just as a sum of 1,234 rijksdaalders and 8 stuivers could not be found, and reduced this to 596 rijksdaalders in guarantees.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0223
24 December 1776
The cash account of the Proveniershuis (retirement home) at the end of February 1775 amounted to 2,390 guilders, 43 stuivers and 8 pennies. By the end of February 1776, according to the account registered by resolution of
16 March, this had increased by 33 guilders, 23 stuivers and 8 pennies, making a total of 2,424 guilders and 19 stuivers. However, after deducting 467 guilders and 18 stuivers paid out on
29 February on authorization from the High Noble authorities, and after repairs done in 1775, only 957 guilders and 7 stuivers remained. This represented a significant decrease. The large number of people being supported (56 persons, including the hired skipper
Gerrit van Kragt sent from
Batavia) made further reduction of this small capital very likely unless income increased.
To support the expenses of this charitable institution, a bazaar was established in the city in early June 1776, with special authorization from the High Noble authorities given by letter of
29 February 1776. The first few days saw large crowds and an abundance of all kinds of food, bringing general satisfaction and great convenience to the inhabitants. However, country people were intimidated by many false rumors spread among the natives and suddenly stopped coming with their goods. The bazaar then failed and did not recover.
The Head Regent of
Samarang remained unwilling to contribute to this effort. He claimed that the natives, not being accustomed to it, would not be willing to bring their goods to this new bazaar in the city. This was actually a groundless excuse, since:
- Bazaars throughout Java were regularly relocated and new ones established in places where there had been none before
- The Head Regent not only did this at will but had himself established a completely new bazaar just 3 years earlier, a few minutes outside the city on the road to Bodjong, which had become one of the most important marketplaces near Samarang
The unwillingness of the Head Regent to help the city bazaar succeed was attributed to his fear that it would reduce the income he drew from the large number of bazaars outside the city. This was despite orders from the High Noble authorities repeated over the years and most recently in the Javanese lease conditions for 1776, 1777 and 1778 (Article 8, paragraph 512), which specified fees of 6 stuivers for each warong (stall) selling fine goods and 2 stuivers for each stall selling provisions.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0221
2 October and the following days, the council decided that its members would meet regularly from then on, as often as needed, taking turns every 14 days. These meetings would take place specifically on Thursday mornings. Even when there were no matters to discuss, the secretary still had to be available on that day from 8 to 11 o'clock to listen to people who had business with these councils and to give them proper answers.
On 25 October, the council addressed cleaning duties. The caretaker was made responsible for keeping the town hall clean, including the common areas and the meeting rooms of the Justice council and the Orphans and Estate administrators. For this work, and for providing oil and lighting the lamps in the lanterns at and inside the town hall daily, he was given 4 ducatons per month. This payment would come half from the city treasury and half from leftover fees collected by the Orphans and Estate administrators. The council asked for approval of this arrangement. They also requested approval for an earlier decision from 16 March, which stated that the city treasury would pay the salary of 2 ducatons per month to the bell ringer at the main guard post. This salary had previously been paid from the church treasury.
On 24 December 1776, the church treasury had a balance of 1,624 guilders and 18 stuivers and 8 pennies. However, the ordinary expenses and repairs to the church and minister's house exceeded the income of 818 guilders, 3 stuivers and 8 pennies. By the end of February of that year, according to accounts recorded in resolutions of 10 March, the balance was 1,619 guilders and 22 stuivers.
Following an earlier report from 15 December 1775, some old deteriorated graves in the old churchyard had been repaired, and others that nobody looked after had been cleared and leveled. On 20 January, the council authorized the church warden to give proof of ownership for the repaired graves to people who claimed them, provided they paid 10 guilders to the church and took care of further maintenance. The council also decided not to grant any more graves or cellars in the old churchyard. Instead, it would be used as a burial place for the Company's servants from the Hospital and for poor members of the community who needed a grave provided for them. In contrast, on the new churchyard, graves would be sold to others for payment, with the money going to the church.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3468 / 0219
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