Users of Open Archives can have summaries generated from the recognized texts (transcriptions) produced through text recognition (OCR) and handwriting recognition (HTR). Neither of these artificial intelligence tasks is perfect, but they are often more than sufficient to make the historical document understandable. In the transcripts, names are underlined in green and clickable (to search the personal entries on Open Archives for the name in question), the recognized dates have a light gray background and recognized place names have a light purple background. The results of the application of (European) artificial intelligence have not been verified by a human.
Rango and his sons were captured and handed over to the Dutch East India Company. On Monday 19 January 1778, a letter was written in Samarang in which I.R. van der Burgh and his wife sent warm greetings to the Sultan and wished them God's blessing.
A translation of a Javanese letter was received on 4 February 1778 in Samarang by Governor and Director Johannes Robbert van den Burgh. The letter was written by Sultan Aming koe bocana. In the letter, the Sultan stated that he had received the earlier letter. He noted that his previous request to the Company and the Governor-General and Council of the Indies had not been granted, but he was satisfied with the answer he received from them. He expressed his great gratitude to the Governor-General and the Council of the Indies for sending him a mourning gift. He also thanked his brother for allowing him to repair 40 of his broken rifles for payment.
The Sultan was informed about the bad behavior of the sons of pangerang Rongo from Djadjar. They had committed murder and highway robbery. They were suspected of being behind a plot involving the toll gate at kajoemaas in his district. When they were summoned, they and their father had fled 2 months earlier.
When the Sultan first heard from adipattij Danoeridja about this flight, he was very surprised. He thought they might want to invade lands and cause trouble for the Company. He was especially shocked that a priest would behave so inappropriately. He immediately ordered Radeen Adipattij Danoeridja to send messengers with written warnings to Tommongong Sasra Nagarna in Grobogan, and to padjang and Soekowatti to capture pangerang Rongo and his sons if they appeared there.
Shortly after, an old subject of pangerang Lraboe Amidjoijo named kerto Mengollo came to Danoeridja asking for work. He told many stories which were written down and given to the Sultan to read. This made the Sultan's heart troubled, and he lost his enthusiasm to make special efforts to find pangerang Rongo and his group, because it seemed certain to him that someone had incited them to this behavior.
Radeen Adipattij Danoeridja and the chief official urged the Sultan and the Grobogan regent to have the fugitives captured. The regent would have done so with force, just like the Sultan, but seeing the Sultan's reluctance, he did not act.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0336
- A Dutch official wrote to someone of high rank (referred to as "Your Highness") on 15 February 1718 from Samarang.
- The official stated he could not yet provide an answer to a request made long ago to the Company and to the Governor General and Council of Netherlands India in Batavia.
- He believed his earlier response, already sent to "Your Highness," would have satisfied the authorities in Batavia.
- The official expressed that if the request were granted, "Your Highness" would have to recognize in conscience that the Company was not treating its friends and allies according to justice and fairness.
- He emphasized that the Company and the Governor General and Council always tried to demonstrate justice and fairness in all their dealings.
- The official stated they had always shown this to "Your Highness" and were willing to continue proving it to the sultan and his beloved son Pangerang Adipattij Anom Mancoenagara, as long as fairness was not violated by their side.
- As proof of sincere affection and unchanging friendship, the official sent along with this letter a condolence letter and mourning gift from the authorities regarding the death of "Your Highness's" wife, De Ratoe Kantjono.
- At a brother's request, the official agreed to have 40 completely unusable muskets repaired at cost, as long as they were still capable of being restored.
- In another letter also dated 15 February 1778 from Samarang, the official informed "Your Majesty" about 2 sons of Pangerang Rongo, named Adie Coessoemo and Soerjo Coessoemo.
- These 2 men were guilty of several murders and highway robberies and had been leaders of a plot that some time before had robbed and burned the toll gate at Cajoemaas on "Your Highness's" territory.
- When summoned to Samarang by the official, they and their father had fled from the village of Djadjar, which the Company had given them as a safe residence.
- The official had reliable information, supported by enclosed letters and reports, that these disobedient men had been hiding for over 2 months in "Your Highness's" territory of Grobogang.
- Radeen Tommongong Sasra Nagarra had recently placed and hidden them in the forest of Galagah-ombo, located south of the rice-planted village of Bandoeng and west of the village of Tjoeroug.
- This location was approximately 1.5 hours' walk from the village of Katoeng and 6 hours south of the fort at Grobogan.
- The official stated he trusted that "Your Highness," as a loyal and honest ally, would not permit any disobedient subjects of the Company, especially not murderers, highway robbers, and thieves, to find shelter in his lands.
- He believed "Your Highness" would certainly not protect such bad people against the Company.
- The official considered it necessary to inform "Your Highness" of this behavior by the regent of Grobogan, which violated the treaties, in order to preserve friendship and peace for the land and people and to maintain "Your Highness's" name and reputation.
- He requested "Your Highness" to issue orders regarding Pangerang Rongo.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0334
J. H. van der Burgh wrote from Samarang on 15 February 1778. He reported that bad weather had washed away and destroyed crops, but now that the weather had calmed down, everyone was busy plowing, sowing, and planting again. He said a good harvest was still possible, as long as the heavy rains were not quickly followed by a long drought. In that unwanted case, he asked permission to close the export of rice to the other side in time. He signed as a very obedient and humble servant.
A copy of a Javanese letter was received in Samarang on 15 January 1778. It was from Sultan Amingkubuwana to Johannes Robbert van der Burgh, Governor and Director of Java's Northeast coast. The Sultan wrote that he had not yet received answers to his earlier requests to the Company, to his grandfather the Governor General and the Noble Lords of the Council of the Dutch East Indies, and to Brother, which had been a long time ago. He was very eager to receive these answers. He and Pangerang Adipati Anom Mankunagara sent Brother their heartfelt greetings. Umbok Ratu did the same to Brother's wife. They wished God's precious blessings and all salvation and prosperity on earth. The letter was written in Djokjo Carta on Monday 12 January 1778 and was translated by C. P. Boltje.
A copy of a letter written by Johannes Robbert van der Burgh, Governor and Director of Java's Northeast coast, to Sultan Amingkubuwana in Djocjo Carta was mentioned, dated Samarang on Monday 19 January 1778.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0332
The writer requested help from the High Nobles to assist Macassar in the spring with 4 companies. He asked to be provided with unnecessary weapons for those warriors and some sea captains familiar with the waterway there. He also requested permission to hire private vessels, with a set payment for a boat or sloop that could transport one company. He promised to do his utmost to meet the objective, although little progress had been made until that day.
The districts of Malang and Antang were becoming less populated over time because:
- it was difficult for the small community to fulfill the quota
- it was even harder to carry the rice from the mountains along difficult roads to Passourouang
- the Regent Tommongong Carta Nagara did not seem well-liked there
- he had no means to help the common people
- he had to take everything from them instead
In a letter to the authority in Samarang on 15 February 1778, the Commander van der Niepoort requested either his dismissal or a reduction of his quota, which was only 10 Coijangs and had only been delivered by him for 2 years. The writer respectfully proposed to the High Nobles to dismiss Carta Nagara so he could settle in Sourabaija. In his place, Pandje Codo Wanning Pattij, second son of the old first Regent of Sourabaija Tjondro Nogorro, should be appointed as Regent of Malang and Antang with the title of Tommongong and a name he would choose. It was expected he would work harder to improve these 2 small regencies and had more means to do so. Because of his connection to Sourabaija, he would likely attract and keep more people, especially if the High Nobles allowed the rice quota to be paid in cash for at least the first 10 years at the regular price of 15 Rijksdaalders per Coijang.
The rice harvest had suffered greatly from almost a month of continuous rough and harsh weather, as wind and rain prevented the farmers from working and constant floods washed away the newly sown seed.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0330
On
15 February 1778, troops departed from
Samarang to
Celebes. The departure details were:
- On 21 January, 624 men left using the regent's own boats and borrowed vessels
- The Madurese troops numbered 624 men, making a total of 1,204 men according to the original plan
- Half traveled on the ship Hoorn, the rest used boats from the prince and two boats from the Captain of the Chinese in Samarang and Soerabaja
The writer hoped these troops had arrived safely at
Macassar and would provide the expected services to the Company.
Regarding the request to recruit 2 companies of
Balinese soldiers, the writer explained he did not know how to fulfill this because:
- Very few true-born Balinese lived in the area or the eastern corner and were difficult to find
- He hesitated to use his authority to negotiate with the Balinese princes because some princes were currently at war with each other
- It was uncertain whether the princes would be willing to allow recruitment, and a refusal would be problematic
- Even if they agreed, getting authorization would take much time
- Transport from Bali to Macassar would be very difficult
- Seeking help there might make some princes aware of the Company's weakness and encourage them to cause new problems in Balemboan or elsewhere
Therefore, the writer had not yet approached
Bali. He asked for forgiveness if he had acted against their intentions. Instead, he had ordered the panembahang of
Madura and the pangerang of
Sumenap to each prepare 2 more companies of 250 men, totaling 500 warriors. They had accepted and promised to do this. The writer would ensure these new auxiliary troops would be ready between mid and late
March. They could then be quickly transported to
Macassar if the headquarters could send a couple of empty ships at that time, which could still make one more trip to
Macassar and return to
Java by late
April with the seasonal wind change.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0328
The text describes how
Rongo immediately left the emperor's territory after something happened. He wandered around for several days with only his own followers until the Regent of
Grobogan persuaded him, along with his sons and family, to come to him. The regent offered
Rongo a hiding place and permission to stay within the sultan's territory.
The sultan and his suspicious chief administrator
Danoeridja claimed they did not want to know about this. The chief
van Rhijn allowed himself to be delayed by giving preference to their assurances. He sent messengers multiple times, even through the Regent of
Grobogan himself, to places where
Rongo had been but was no longer present.
The writer sent 10 letters and reports to the sultan, both directly and through the mentioned chief. These letters proved that people knew where
Rongo was and who was supporting him. In his letter, the sultan used some invented exceptions and pretexts to explain why he had not captured the fugitives. It was certain that the sultan only gave the order to capture them (which he claimed to have given) after
Rongo and his companions were already safely hidden in
Grobogan.
The writer suspected that the
Mataram court was keeping
Rongo hidden to take revenge through him when the opportunity arose for what had been forced upon them at
Gagatan in the previous year. Therefore, the writer kept a watchful eye everywhere on the Company's territory.
The chief
van Stralendorf, who had been there a few days earlier and had given many assurances about the good intentions of the
Surakarta court, was used by the writer to strengthen the emperor's intention to also keep good guards and troops ready to repel anyone who dared to undertake something harmful. As long as the sultan knew this was happening, the writer believed it was not likely that he would undertake anything significant.
The writer referred to a copy of his letter to the sultan about
Rongo and his sons from
the 10th of the month. He also referred to enclosures E and F containing his correspondence about these wanderers with the
Djokjakarta chief
van Rhijn.
Regarding the native auxiliary troops for
Makassar, the writer could report that the warriors from
Sumanap numbered 580 men.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0326
An unnamed Dutch official wrote from Samarang on 15 February 1778. He explained that he had sent letters (marked A, B, and C) about Pangerang Rongo, a religious leader who was one of the Cramans. In 1761, Rongo had stirred up the districts of Pattij, Tjinkelsewoe, and surrounding areas. After that, he stayed in Damak in the village of Djadjar, but in the previous autumn he moved away with his family to the Sultan's district of Grobogang.
The reason for this move was that in Damak, many murders, robberies, and thefts had been committed for over a year without catching the criminals. Eventually, it was discovered that Rongo's sons, Radeen Soerjo Coessoemo and Adij Coessoemo, were involved in these crimes and were actually leaders of a small criminal group.
The official ordered the regents of Damak to capture both Radeens through some friendly pretense and to arrest several other suspicious people. However, the regents made the orders public but failed to carry them out. For this failure, they were later fined 1,000 Rijxdaalders by the Council. Because the regents gave Rongo time and opportunity, he was able to hide his sons and leave Djadjar and Company territory with his entire family.
He first went to the village of Pagak in Soekowati, which was under Pangerang Praboe Amidjoijo, the oldest son of Pangerang Aria Mancoenagara and son-in-law of the Emperor. Nearly a month later, after being informed through a follow-up request by the regents, the official demanded that the court of Soerakarta hand over Rongo and his people. The Emperor immediately ordered his son-in-law Prince Praboe not to give them shelter, threatening severe punishment. The Emperor also commanded that they be arrested immediately and sent a military unit for this purpose. However, Rongo learned about this.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0324
- On 15 February 1778, a letter was written from Samarang to Rlnter de Klerk, the Governor General, and the Council members of the Dutch East Indies.
- The writer referred to his earlier letter from 13 January (sent in duplicate) and confirmed receiving secret letters from 8 January, which arrived on 14 January via the ship De Nagulboom that was heading to Amboina.
- The writer thanked the authorities for orders regarding the Sultan's succession in case of his death and for military support consisting of 2 corporals and 44 common soldiers. Of these soldiers, 25 arrived on De Nagulboom and the remaining 21 were delivered by the Macassar citizen Brugman at Japara.
- The writer promised to follow the orders exactly as written if necessary and confirmed he had read a secret resolution from 27 November 1772 that was sent to him in copy. He sealed it again and had it recorded in a political council resolution on 27 January that such a sealed package was in his possession.
- The writer had already informed the authorities in his letter of 13 January about the Sultan's recovery. The Sultan had thanked them for the mourning gift that was last sent.
- The writer reported that the Sultan had fully recovered, appeared in public again, and was handling the affairs of his kingdom as before.
- However, the Sultan's aggressive nature had not stopped, and his unforgiving hatred against Pangerang Aria Mancoenagarra continued, as shown in a letter the writer was enclosing for the authorities.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0322
Kade, a Makassarese captain, was mentioned as someone who would be very useful. The writer stated he would arrange payment with him upon arrival. The letter was signed by R.t I=s van der Niepoort from Sourabaija on 31 December 1777.
A translation of a Javanese letter was received in Samarang on 11 January 1778. The letter was written by Sultan Amingkoeboeana to Johannes Robbert van der Burgh, who was Governor and Director of Java's Northeast coast. The Sultan wrote that 40 of his rifles were completely unusable. He asked his "brother" (a friendly term of address) to help get them repaired. He said he would gladly have Adipatti Danoeridja pay for the costs. If his request was approved, he would send the guns right away.
The Sultan and Pangerang Adipattij Anom Mangcoenagara sent their heartfelt greetings. The Ratoe (queen) joined them in sending greetings to the Governor's wife. They all wished that his health and prosperity would remain steady through God's blessing.
The letter was written in Djokjocarta on Monday 5 January 1778. It was translated by C: P: Boltje, translator, in Samarang on 13 January 1778.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0320
J.R. van der Burgh, Governor and Director of Java's North-East coast, received a letter dated 11 January 1778 from Samarang.
A public auction was held on 13 January 1778 in Samarang for the rights to harvest bird's nests from cliffs. The writer had sent out notices announcing the auction. The auction took place in the presence of the writer and other members. The results were:
- The Chinese Captain Hang Boeijko won the auction for eastern Balemboangang for 850 rijksdaalders
- The Chinese Lieutenant Ian Tinso won the auction for western Basemboangang for 1,550 rijksdaalders
- Together they paid 2,400 rijksdaalders
The writer informed about the situation with local regents who would lose income from the cliffs. The writer suggested that the regent of Lamadjang should receive 90 to 100 Spanish rijksdaalders and the regent of Malang should receive 70 to 80 Spanish rijksdaalders from this year's auction income. They would be grateful to Van der Burgh for compensation for giving up the villages and people to the leader.
The head of Sabrang had never received benefits from the cliffs, where guards had protected Noessa from robbers. The bird's nests from Banjoewangie were estimated to yield about half as much as those from Sabrang, Lamadjang, or Malang combined. The writer suggested equal treatment could be arranged.
500 guns with cartridge pouches, sharp flintlock cartridges and similar items were sent to Sumanap on 24 January. The writer had written to the Resident and prince there to dispatch warriors before New Year with ships that were ready. They promised to do their utmost. The writer hoped to give Van der Burgh good news soon.
The writer received 3 sets of sea charts of the Macassar waters and would make proper use of them, as well as of the sloop belonging to Than Lecko, the Chinese Captain of Samarang, if His Highness the prince of Madura agreed.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0318
- On 13 January 1778, a letter was sent from Semarang to Rudolf Florentius van der Niepoort, who was the chief merchant and commander over the eastern corner region.
- The authorities in Semarang ordered the ship Hoorn, which was headed to Macassar, to stop there to transport 500 Madurese auxiliary troops to Macassar, following instructions from letters dated 19 December and 31 December.
- Van der Niepoort had sent a separate report dated late December (which only arrived the day before) stating that ships were ready in Sumanap and orders had been given to send 500 warriors requested by the local prince, but the information about the Madurese troops was unclear about whether the local ruler had gathered ships or not.
- The ship Hoorn was ordered to sail to Sidajoe and wait there for further orders from Van der Niepoort.
- Van der Niepoort was commanded to follow the instructions strictly and work with great speed, especially if the Madurese were ready or had ships prepared for their crossing, in which case the ship should be sent directly to Macassar immediately.
- The letter mentions a lease agreement for collecting bird's nests in East and West Balemboangang and nearby districts, and discusses compensation for local rulers from the lease payment, but this section appears incomplete.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0317
- On 13 January 1778 in Samarang, J. R. van der Burgh wrote a report.
- The ship Anna Maria returned from a failed voyage to Noessa Barang in Banjoewangie, along with 6 local ships that had been sent with supplies to that island, all in poor condition.
- The collection rights for bird nests in the newly conquered areas around that location were leased publicly in Sourabaija in late December for the year 1778.
- The lease for Ooster Balemboangang was awarded to Hang Boeijko, the Chinese Captain in Sourabaija, for 1,550 Spanish reals.
- The lease for Wester Balemboangang was awarded to Lieutenant Tan Tinlo for 850 Spanish reals.
- The total lease amount was 2,400 Spanish reals.
- Based on a letter dated 31 December from commander van der Niepoort, it was proposed to pay the following amounts from the lease income:
- 150 Spanish reals to the Regent of Lamadjang
- 100 Spanish reals to the Regent of Malang
- 50 Spanish reals to the Head of Sabrang
- 250 Spanish reals to the Regent of Balemboangang
- The total proposed payment was 550 Spanish reals to compensate these officials for what they previously received from the collection and for their assistance to the lease holder.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0315
- On 13 January 1778, a letter was sent from Samarang to Reiniur De Klerk, the Governor General, and the Council of the Dutch East Indies.
- The writer reported that after sending his previous letter of 23 December of the previous year, he had received letters from the Governor General dated 19 December and 31 December.
- The ship Hoorn had arrived on 9 January and was sent on to Sidaijoe on 11 January because the writer was not sure if the panembahang (a local ruler) had gathered enough ships yet.
- The commander van der Niepoort received orders that if necessary, the ship Hoorn should be used to transport troops from Madura who were helping the Dutch. Otherwise, the ship should be sent directly to Macassar.
- According to a letter from commander van der Niepoort dated 31 December, troops from Sumanap had probably already left because the necessary ships were ready.
- The writer mentioned that yesterday (12 January), the wedding took place of the oldest daughter of prince Aria Mancoenagara to Radeen Tommongong Tjacra Nagarra, the first regent of Tagal.
- The Sultan's illness had not gotten worse and he was recovering.
- The Sultan had sent a letter yesterday asking to have 46 broken muskets repaired in exchange for payment, after the kingdom's administrator Danoeridja had repeatedly asked through chief van Rhijn to exchange defective weapons for new ones.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0313
This document is a secret incoming letter that arrived from Macassar in 1779.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0051
In the government of
Bandoo, the following servants were present. The total numbers included Europeans, native Mahomedans and sipaijs (local soldiers), and children:
- From the police up to and including young assistants: 18 Europeans, 22 others, totaling 40
- From the church: 23 Europeans, 3 others, 20 children, totaling 2 additional (unclear calculation in original)
- From the medical service: 14 Europeans, 12 others, 4 children
- From the artillery: 35 Europeans, 31 others
- From the militia: 277 Europeans, 239 others, 38 children
- From the navy: 91 Europeans, 86 others, 5 children, totaling 7 additional (unclear calculation in original)
- From the crafts: 40 Europeans, 33 others, 6 children, totaling 1 additional (unclear calculation in original)
- From various service workers: 13 Europeans, 7 others, 1 child
- From the salaried workers: 1 person
The total came to 534 Europeans, 430 others, and 104 children. According to the latest determination, there should have been 800 people, meaning there were now 266 fewer.
The weapons and supplies included: 0 metal cannons, 240 iron cannons, 850 muskets, 1,180 cutlasses, 37,557 round, long and flat sharp items of various sorts, and 65,000 pounds of gunpowder.
The following vessels were present: 4 pantjallings, 2 schouwen, 3 schuiten, and 3 orambaaijs.
This report came from
Banda, specifically from
Banda Neira, on
the last day of June 1778. The document agreed with various incoming reports and was signed by
A. A. Aple,
J. Lutir Nagerien,
G. J. Lun Hort, and
's Gravesande, who served as secretary.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0049
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0048
P. Hogeman submitted a financial report on 24 July 1788 from Banda Neira. The document contained calculations about losses from uncollected taxes on nutmeg and mace over 20 years, amounting to various sums in rijksdaalders and guilders. The total calculations showed amounts of 161,396 rijksdaalders, 218,175 rijksdaalders, and 1,445,000 rijksdaalders across three separate counts, with a final sum of 4,839 rijksdaalders. Hogeman indicated he hoped to have fulfilled the orders given to him.
The document was certified as accurate by N. Op. 's Gravesande, who served as secretary of Banda.
The report was addressed to Reijnier de Klerk, who held the position of Governor General, and to the Council of Netherlands India. A brief summary was being sent along with the latest reports, as required by a general resolution from 19 December 1777.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0046
J. Hageman submitted a financial calculation to the governor on 25 July 1778 in Banda Neira. The document showed several financial losses over 15 years:
- A 15-year freeze on taxes at 800 reichsdalers per year was calculated at 12,000 reichsdalers
- No interest would be paid on a loan of 83,783 reichsdalers, 36 stuivers, and 2 ¾ penningen at a rate per 100 per month
- The loss of 50,000 pounds of nutmeg at one-tenth per year would amount to 750,000 pounds over 15 years
- The unreceived one-tenth at 600 soekels per year could be calculated as 151,900 pounds of mace over 15 years
For the profits on nutmeg and mace, the annual calculation showed 722,500 reichsdalers, and for both India and Europe over 15 years this came to 18,370 reichsdalers.
The document contained three totals that were added together to reach a final sum of 125,027 reichsdalers.
Secretary A. A. S Gravesande confirmed the accuracy of the document.
A second calculation was addressed to Jacob Pelters, Extra-Ordinary Councillor of Netherlands India and Governor and Director of the province. It showed:
- For 1,873 heads at 30 pounds each, 1,009 lasts and 2,460 pounds were needed over 5 years at 20 reichsdalers per last
- The annual provision of 7,000 reichsdalers for the colleges following the example of 1763 would amount to 140,000 reichsdalers over 20 years
- A 20-year freeze on taxes at 800 reichsdalers per year was calculated at 16,000 reichsdalers
- No interest would be paid over 20 years on a loan of 183,783 reichsdalers, 36 stuivers at 7/8 percent per 100 per month
- The loss of 50,000 pounds of nutmeg at one-tenth per year would amount to 100,000 pounds over 20 years
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0044
I. Hogeman wrote a letter on
29 July 1778 from
Banda Neira. The letter was confirmed by
A. L. S. Banda van Gravelande, who served as secretary.
The letter was addressed to
Jacob Pelters, who held the position of Extra-Ordinary Councillor of
Netherlands India and served as governor and director of this province.
In this letter,
Hogeman referred to his earlier report from the 4th of that month. He explained that costs and losses would be reduced if the last 6 items mentioned in his previous report were calculated over 5 years instead of 20 years.
He provided the following calculations:
- First, for 1,873 heads at 30 pounds per month over 5 years, 1,069 lasts at 2,460 pounds would be needed, calculated at 20 rixdollars per last, totaling 21,396 rixdollars
- The yearly payment of 700 rixdollars for the colleges, following the example from 1763, would amount to 105,000 over 15 years
- The total calculation resulted in 26,396 rixdollars
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0042
The document contains a report about tree counts on various islands in the
Banda region. The report was recorded in two separate letters dated
19 August 1772 and sent to their High Nobleness, which could be found in the registry under numbers 3 and 4. The document was signed by
A. A. 's Grove Zande, secretary.
The report was addressed to
Jacob Pelters, who held the position of Extraordinary Council of
Netherlands India and served as governor and director of this province. The writer explained that after carefully reviewing detailed reports about the districts, particularly regarding the trees, he had counted the following:
- Neiro: 4 districts with 240 fruit-bearing trees, 300 young trees, and 2,400 seedlings planted in the ground, totaling 9,050
- Celam: 5 districts with 70 fruit-bearing trees and 240 young trees
- Binnecust: 6 districts with 2,340 fruit-bearing trees, 1,900 young trees, and 7,400 seedlings, totaling 6,360
- Lonthoir: 12 districts with 3,740 fruit-bearing trees and 2,220 young trees
- Ourien: 6 districts with 175 fruit-bearing trees, 9,775 young trees, and 9,645 seedlings
- Waijer: 7 districts with 123 fruit-bearing trees, 3,280 young trees, and 1,080 seedlings
- Poeloaij: 14 districts with 8,488 fruit-bearing trees and 1,903 young trees
The total sum was 12,276 fruit-bearing trees, 2,618 young trees, and 5,935 seedlings.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0040
A document from
August 16, 1778 from
Banda Neira was signed by
I. Pelters.
The document contained a record of the 5-year delivery of spices, showing what was paid to the planters each year after deducting one-tenth:
Nutmeg purchases:
- 1764: 566,940 pounds, paid 10,418 rijksdaalders, 40 stuivers, 8 penningen
- 1765: 666,490 pounds, paid 10,756 rijksdaalders, 28 stuivers, 8 penningen
- 1766: 607,226 pounds, paid 7,025 rijksdaalders, 13 stuivers, 8 penningen
- 1767: 448,838 pounds, paid 9,588 rijksdaalders, 15 stuivers, 8 penningen
- 1768: 612,588 pounds
The total for nutmeg came to 2,912,586 pounds and 46,663 rijksdaalders, 1 stuiver.
Mace purchases:
- 1764: 107,900 pounds, paid 8,363 rijksdaalders, 24 stuivers, 30 penningen
- 1765: 232,074 pounds, paid 14,965 rijksdaalders, 2 stuivers
- 1766: 95,610 pounds, paid 25,946 rijksdaalders, 18 stuivers, 8 penningen
- 1767: 165,760 pounds, paid 23,468 rijksdaalders, 44 stuivers, 8 penningen
- 1768: 14,940 pounds
The combined total for both spices came to 164,708 rijksdaalders, 42 stuivers, which when divided between both types of spice averaged 329,413 rijksdaalders, 37 stuivers per year for purchases.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0038
No date given
From
Palembang, a request was respectfully presented to the high authorities. The merchant
Leonard Verspijk could not be promoted to the position of upper merchant as he had requested. Instead, it was proposed that he be transferred from his current location to
Poelo Aij. At the same time, the authorities were asked to graciously grant the position of fiscal officer to the under-merchant
Cornelis Bernard.
Bernard's residency in the southwest region could then be taken over by one of the most capable bookkeepers, who would serve as under-merchant in title only.
The letter was signed by submissive servants who expressed their loyalty and respect to the high authorities.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0037
A text from Banda discussed how landowners had lost their important means of survival through a sad event. This loss of productive trees was also very concerning for the company. According to what had already been explained, no solutions could be thought of, suggested, or carried out to restore Banda - whether for the ruined landowner, the powerless authorities, or all other unfortunate residents - without turning to that same company. The company was exposed to burdens and losses at this difficult time that had no equal examples in the archives of past and present centuries.
The writer was not against bringing up a concern for consideration: whether it would be better if the landowners, instead of immediately receiving instructions about the prompt time for receiving rewards, were left uncertain about everything. It was undeniable that among them were many who cared little about the company's interests and were careless about Banda's cultivation. Therefore, the negligent ones should be pushed to work harder through decreasing support, but the diligent ones should be encouraged to double their efforts through increasing help. On this basis, it would become clear after the first 5-year period whether the advantage of the 17,276 nut-bearing trees mentioned in number 8 could bring about a reduction in the additional costly measures in the following two periods.
The writer asked for kind forgiveness if his limited understanding did not agree with their much wiser views, since even the wisest and most experienced rulers could easily make mistakes in thinking up truly effective solutions. This was especially true for presenting both compensation and complete restoration after such a general and terrible destruction in a way that was clearly understandable - so clearly that only God's blessing was needed so that future times might deliver as many advantages as the present costs and losses brought.
The text ended by mentioning written petitions that were included with the general papers.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0035
In the past, plantation owners in Banda lost an important way to make money due to a sad event. This loss of trees was very serious for the company. Since the problems began in Banda, no solutions could be found to help the plantation owner, the powerless councils, or the other unfortunate residents without asking for help from the same company. This company now faced costs and losses that had no equal examples in the records of past and present centuries.
The writer was not against considering whether it would be better if the plantation owners were kept uncertain about everything instead of being given immediate information about when they would receive their payments. Some plantation owners did not care about the company's interests and were careless.
In Banda, there had been a 5-year pause on paying interest on borrowed money. The total borrowed capital was 264,000 guilders, which meant a very significant saving of 59,900 guilders in interest. Despite this, the plantation owners still received 164,708 guilders and 42 stuivers from other regular local income for their general living expenses. They also received payment for nutmegs delivered over the following 5 years, which was 3,294 guilders and 37 stuivers per year, according to two lists numbered 3 and 4, besides the writer's separate letter of 19 August 1772.
There was very great difficulty in Batavia regarding the Banda survey obtained in 1693. Because of the terrible eruption of the volcano at that time, there were 80,196 fewer productive fruit-bearing trees than had been counted in 1686. At that time there still remained:
- 70,839 fruit-bearing trees
- 185,794 half-grown trees
- 315,354 young trees
- 579,987 trees in total
When 39,894 trees were subtracted according to the count from July 1778, there was a considerable negative difference of 540,093 trees in total. This could be used as a very urgent supporting argument for the writer's third proposal in his separate letter from May of this year.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0033
The administrator reported that plantation owners in Banda had lost their main source of income due to a disaster. This loss of trees was very concerning for the Dutch East India Company. No solutions could be found to help the plantation owners, the weak colleges, or other unfortunate residents without asking the Company for help. The Company itself was facing heavy burdens and losses that had no equal in past or present records.
The administrator wondered if it might be better not to immediately inform the plantation owners about when they would receive their compensation payments, but instead to keep them uncertain. He argued that some plantation owners had become indifferent to the Company's interests and careless about Banda's welfare.
Despite these problems, the plantation owners had received:
- A suspension of interest payments on their borrowed capital totaling 264,000 guilders, which meant a significant debt relief of 59,400 guilders in interest
- Additional regular local income for their general support amounting to 164,708 guilders and 42 stuivers
- Payment for nutmeg deliveries over 5 years at 3,294 guilders and 37 stuivers per year, as shown in documents numbered 3 and 4, and in a letter from August 19, 1742
The administrator also referred to the serious difficulties in Batavia regarding a Banda survey from 1693. Due to volcanic activity at that time, there were 80,196 fewer fruit-bearing trees than had been counted in 1686. However, in 1693 there were still:
- 70,839 fruit-bearing trees
- 185,794 half-grown trees
- 315,354 young trees
- 579,987 trees in total
After subtracting 39,894 trees reported in the count of July 1778, there was a considerable negative difference of 540,093 trees in total. This could serve as strong supporting evidence for his third proposal from his separate letter from May of that year.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3528 / 0031
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