Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

• In November 1724, a list recorded ships and smaller boats docked at the Rheede in Batavia (modern-day Jakarta).
• The Dutch ships included:
  • Cheepen Limburg, De Kiefhoek, Hillegonde, De Ketel, Langerode, Hogermeer, Amazone, Gansenhoef, Abbekerk, Risdam, and De Windhond.
  • Vrieswyk, Crooswijk, Noordwaddinx, Leijden, Bendveld, Berkenrode, Barbesteijn, Prattenburg, Commernst, Wickenburg, Haarlem, Heijnkensant, Hogenes, Barbice, and Valkenisse from Noordbeek.
• Foreign ships included:
  • English ships: Patchiall Ramisgatte, Iames en Marij (11 ships), and smaller boats like Passourouang, De Beschermen, De Veerman, and Ontong Java.
  • Other foreign vessels: De Haij Pantchiall, De Snaek, De Oostendenaer, Lamadjang Gorane, De Bagger, De Vleugel (a lighter boat), and Comcommer from Langerak.
  • Chinese junks: Chialoupen from Samarang and Dereur.
  • Fluits (a type of Dutch cargo ship): Schoteroog, De Hopvogel, Terhorst, Johanna Margareta, and Waar Natos.
• Some ships had specific destinations:
  • De Pantchialling Goram sailed to Cheribon.
  • A Portuguese junk, Nra Sra Depiedade, sailed to Simor.
• The ship Blijdorp departed from Batavia in November 1724.

An official report from Bengal, sent by the Chief Merchant and Head of the Trading Post Johannes Thedens, was recently received. A copy of this report was shared as requested.

• The report demanded 35,000 pounds of long pepper for trade in Patna.
• An urgent and quick delivery of this amount was strongly advised.
• If supplies were short, they were instructed to discuss the shortage with the officials in Cheribon.
• The officials in Cheribon were also notified to assist if necessary.

• The area of Tomagong Tsjaera was not only loyal to Prince Tsjacraningrat, who had been mentioned before, but there was also a chance that supporters on the island of Madura could cause trouble for Radeen Nagara.
• Radeen Nagara was under the guardianship of Tomagong Tsjaeranagara, who was allowed to govern the lands of Sumanap independently, following local laws and customs.
• The local leaders (mantries) agreed that Tomagong Tsjaeranagara was capable of this task.
• A group of 8 horse traders working for the King of Siam, along with their assistants and servants, were present in the area.

In 1627, a group of horse traders from Siam (modern-day Thailand) arrived on the east coast of Java aboard the ship Risdam. They came to buy horses, as they had done in previous years. The Dutch authorities decided to support this trade mission.

• The traders were given a loan of 1,800 rijksdaalders (a Dutch currency) to help with their journey.
• The Risdam was ordered to sail to Samarang (now Semarang, Indonesia) with instructions for local Dutch officials to assist the traders.
• The main goal was to quickly provide the Japanese Emperor with:
  • 1 or 2 stallions (male horses for breeding).
  • At least 2 mare horses (female horses).
• The horses had to meet specific requirements for color, height, and size, as requested by the Japanese Emperor.

In this text, officials discuss financial and trade decisions involving coins and gold. Here’s what they planned:

• The officials did not want to increase the supply of coins in their current location because it was becoming useless to store more.
• Instead, they wanted to use the coins to buy gold. They were willing to sell the coins to Chinese traders and others in the area, even if it meant offering a high price or a large advance of about 14 percent.
• The goal was to close the deal with some profit, avoid useless growth of the coin supply, and use the money to buy gold.
• They were allowed to take in gold worth around 70,000 to 80,000 rijksdaalders (a type of currency), or even more if the supply of coins allowed it.
• If they didn’t have enough coins, they were permitted to borrow money from the King’s Treasury to complete the gold purchase.

Due to strong opposing winds and currents, a Dutch trading ship could not reach Ligor to collect goods. Instead, it was pushed toward Malacca and arrived there, as confirmed by a letter from Malacca dated 13 July.

The usual detailed report about this trading post would be sent later, by November. However, it was noted that on 19 June and 11 August, 3 ships were sent back to the kingdom (likely referring to the Dutch Republic) via Ligor to collect:

• Teak wood (Sappanhout)
• Tin (Thin)
• Ship dispatches and other return goods

Due to a severe shortage of gold, several trading partnerships and contracts were established to purchase gold. The shortage was especially problematic in Risdam, Coning Carel, and Velserhooft. The total funds allocated, including partnerships and supplies, amounted to 280,696 guilders, 19 stuivers, and 8 pennies. This included 233,048 guilders, 1 stuiver, and 8 pennies worth of silver (weighing 11 pennies and 7½ grains), primarily intended for buying gold in Siam, where it was reportedly cheaper than locally.

The gold shortage had persisted for years due to reduced imports from China, making it difficult to meet even half the demand for trade. Only 34 out of the required officials were initially qualified to sell tin.

Given the large stockpile of 1,742,000 pounds of tin—mostly from Siam and Banka, with only a small portion from Malacca—officials were further authorized to negotiate. In Ligor, tin was traded that year at 11½ ticals per bahar (354 pounds). Additionally, to reduce the local ruler’s debt to the company, tin was sold at 16 khails per bahar, ensuring at least the latter price was met.

The Dutch ships Prins, Kieshoek, Eugenius, Neptunis, and Gansenhoef were mostly unloaded and ready to depart. However, one ship was still waiting for a passenger who had arrived on an earlier vessel. This request was likely to be denied because the English ship Thownskend might still be expected to arrive from China, and the Dutch East India Company (VOC) preferred to avoid transporting foreigners whenever possible, as stated in their letters from 31 July 1698 and 23 June 1700.

The governor-general also proposed removing cannons, gunpowder, and other ammunition from these old and mostly unloaded ships.

The Dutch authorities approved the crews and equipment for the following ships: Risdam, Thuijster, Lone, Belvliet, Boede, Wijnendaal, and Hoogermeer. Most of these ships were allowed to be dismantled because their hulls could no longer be used effectively except along the east coast of the island for tasks like collecting wood. Additionally, these older ships were weakened by heavy cannons. However, the Neptunus would remain in service as long as it was needed for Admiral Legd, and the Belvliet would not be dismantled until after its return from Bantam.

The crews and equipment of 5 ships from the second expedition were also approved to sell 262,713 pounds of large calittou wood at a rate of 200–300 chests of opium each. This decision followed earlier examples.

At the request of Graagte, the public director-general representing the merchants, it was agreed to auction off another 200–300 chests of opium from the previous year’s remaining stock. This was done in hopes of a good market, especially since recent ships from Bengal had brought poor-quality opium.

Graagte also reported a shortage of small timber for shipbuilding due to the delayed arrival of ships from Siam. Because of this, work on reinforcing the ships from the second expedition could not yet begin, though it was considered urgent.

In December 1725 and January 1726, several ships arrived or were recorded in Dutch records:

• In December 1725, the ship Velzerhooft was noted, along with references to Geertruijd, Meerhuijsen, Westerbeek, and the location Wolphaarsdijk.
• Also in December 1725, the frigate Caster en Pollux was recorded.
• In January 1726, the following ships arrived from various locations:
  • The fluyt (cargo ship) Risdam on the 2nd.
  • The Portuguese brigantine Lareto from Siam on the 4th.
  • The ship Hoogermeer from Saint Thomas on the 6th.
  • The ship Strijke Bolle from Siam on the 11th.
• A ship from the Dutch homeland, the Reecq, had originally set sail from Enkhuizen on May 18 of the previous year. It carried:
  • 91 sailors,
  • 43 soldiers,
  • 2 craftsmen,
  • 1 passenger,
  • Totaling 437 people on board.
  The ship was under the command of captain Jan Bloemen and assistant Jan van Rensen. It arrived in the Dutch records on November 28 from Bengal, carrying Jan Westerwijk, a fiscal (financial) official from that region.

In October 1724, several ships arrived in Batavia (modern-day Jakarta):

• October 18: The ships De Windhond and De Fluijt Amesone arrived.
• From Samarang (modern-day Semarang), the dispatch boat De Beschermer arrived on an unspecified date.
• October 20: The ship Valrenisse arrived from Cheribon (modern-day Cirebon). It came from the Netherlands for the account of the Chamber of Langerode.
• From Samarang, the ship Noordbeek arrived for the account of the Chamber on October 26.
• October 26: The brigantine Achilles arrived from Ternate.
• October 29: The ship Wickenburg arrived from Bantam.
• October 30: The fluyt Abbekerk arrived from Samarang.

Among the passengers was Gerrit van Westreenen, an elected extraordinary council of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), originally from Middelburg in Zeeland, who had departed on September 9.

• The ship Hogenes arrived from Cormandel (modern-day southeastern India) with the governor-general and the yacht Langerak.
• From Timor, the preacher Schoeten Risdam arrived.
• The ship Berbices arrived from Samarang.
• October 10: The ship Bellevliet arrived from Palleacatta (modern-day Palembang).
• The ship Gansenhoef arrived from Rembang via Samarang.
• A ship arrived from Malacca (modern-day Melaka).

In June 1726, several ships departed from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) with various destinations in Asia. The following vessels and their routes were recorded:

• The ship Gaasperdam sailed to Coromandel (eastern India).
• The restored ship De Leeuw also headed to Coromandel.
• The fluyt (a type of cargo ship) Nederhoven and the ship Traadhuijs (from Vlissingen) traveled to Bengal via the west coast of Sumatra.
• The ship Caats and the vessel Witsburg sailed directly to Bengal.
• The ship Thuijs de Vlotter went to Bengal as well.
• The ship Arentkerke and the yacht Thof Niet Altijd Winter sailed to Bengal via the west coast of Sumatra.
• The ship De Chialoep and the vessel De Sleuteldrager went to Padang (on Sumatra).
• The ship Thuijs ter Boede sailed to Cheribon (modern-day Cirebon, Java) on June 19.
• The yacht Constantia departed for Ceylon (modern-day Sri Lanka) on June 20.
• The fluyt Amazone left for Bantam (modern-day Banten, Java) on June 20, carrying onderkoopman (junior merchant) Risdam and fiscal (financial official) Martinus Commelijn, who continued from there to Ligor (modern-day Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand) and then to Siam (modern-day Thailand).
• The pachiall (small vessel) De Zuijkermaalden sailed to Jambi (on Sumatra).
• The ship Strijkebolle departed for 't Land van Beloften (likely a nickname or less common location) on June 21.5 (likely late June 21).
• The vessel Schuijtwijk sailed to Goram (likely the Banda Islands) on June 28.
• The ship De Haij left for an unspecified destination on June 28.
• The ship Wolphaartsdijk departed, carrying 2 rijksdaalders (a type of currency, roughly equivalent to silver coins) on June 29.5 (likely late June 29).
• The yacht Westvriesland sailed to an unspecified destination in late June.
• Another unnamed ship traveled to Bengal and Cheribon in early June.
• The ship Tagal sailed to Poelo Chinco (likely Pulau Enggano or another island) on June 1.

• The text describes a process where sailors were examined before being re-employed in the service of a highly respected organization (likely the Dutch East India Company, though not explicitly named).
• The examination took place in front of the Fiscal Advocate of India, Everhard Kraijvanger, and was conducted by the Equipagiemeester (a ship's equipment master) along with several experienced captains.
• The purpose was to check if there was any misconduct or negligence on the sailors' part that could be held against them.
• If nothing was found, the sailors could be rehired with confidence.
• The text also notes that, at the closing of the report from the office in Basra (Bassoura) on a Thursday, there was no news of any incidents involving English privateers (likely private trading or pirate ships).

In 1709, a financial report from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) detailed the amounts of exchange bills (a type of early financial instrument) that were issued. The report was checked by the orphan masters (officials managing orphan funds) of the city.

• The total amount in silver ducatons (an old currency) was 1,357 pieces, valued at 66 stuivers (another old currency unit) each.
• Out of this, 1,226 stuivers were to be repaid to:
  • The orphan masters in Amsterdam: 1,685 rijksdaalders (another currency) and 36 stuivers in 1685.
  • The orphan masters in Delft: 180 rijksdaalders, 6 stuivers, and 131 penningen (smallest currency unit).
• The total value of the silver ducatons was 4,478 guilders and 2 stuivers (as of 1865).
• An additional 18,714 rijksdaalders and 15 stuivers were recorded as transferred capital. This was half of a total amount of 37,428 rijksdaalders and 5/8 from 1709.
• This capital was brought into the Dutch East India Company's (VOC) cash account by the secretary of the honorable Council of Justice of the Castle of Batavia.
• The amount was recorded in the Batavia trade books under sequestration (legal seizure) and later transferred to the general account based on a resolution dated 28th of the same month (likely the month of the report).
• This money was to be repaid in the homeland (the Netherlands) to the noble directors of the Dutch East India Company at the Amsterdam chamber, according to the issued exchange bills.
• The total amount to be repaid was 18,714 rijksdaalders and 1/48, equivalent to 4,491 guilders and 7 stuivers.
• The grand total of all amounts combined was 20,588 rijksdaalders and 1/8, or 49,392 guilders and 9 stuivers.

After the ship Ris van Siam arrived safely, it was reported that another ship, the Risdam, had been lost on its journey from Siam. Out of its crew, 19 people, including the captain Hendrik Schoon, had already arrived in Riouw on a Chinese boat.

• The remaining crew later also arrived in Bassoura using two similar boats.
• No other major events were reported, though it was heard that English private traders had paid 3,412 for the ship's recovery costs in Malacca.
• The only people still unaccounted for were the 19 who had been taken to Malacca by a Portuguese ship.
• On November 11, it was decided to provide financial support to these survivors.
• On November 28, regular living expenses were given to the crew (except the captain and helmsmen), as news of the ship’s loss had been confirmed on November 25.

In the winter of 1726, several ships were recorded traveling between key trading locations in Asia:

• The Portuguese ship São João Baptista arrived in Macau on January 25.
• The yacht Tienhooren left the Strait of Sunda on January 27.
• The Portuguese ship São Vicente Ferreira departed from Manila on the same day.
• The ship Riefhoeck sailed to Macassar on January 28.

In March:

• The shallop Langerak left for Timor on March 2.
• The ship Het Wapen van Hoorn and the frigate Winendaal sailed on March 14.
• The frigates Castor and Sollicx were noted.
• Several ships were listed: Het Land van Belofte, Strykeballe, Magdalena, Witsburg, Hoogermeer, Amazoone, and Risdam.
• The shallop Samarang, the yacht D'Oostendenaer, and the ship De Hoop were also mentioned, with T Huijs te Vlotten heading to Samarang and Nagasaki carrying news that other ships had reached the open sea.

The ship Cats arrived from Bengal in February 1726 with goods worth ƒ18.

The cost of buying out was recorded as 2,810. Meanwhile, after the previously mentioned letter about the departure from this place, the ship's captain of the vessel Prins, named Cornelis de Kaarsboom, had passed away. Due to this event, necessary arrangements were made among the ship's officers.

The same letter noted nothing particularly remarkable about the Dutch East India Company's small office in Ligor during the trading season of 1828, except that the tin trade in Singora was conducted peacefully by the Company's merchants with the local ministry, following the old agreements between the king of Siam and the Company.

Additionally, during the past east monsoon, to reduce the king's debt, the king's agents had delivered 250 bahars (a unit of weight) of tin from Siam to the Company in Ligor, as recorded.

In 1827, a shipment of goods was prepared for delivery. Additionally, a package contained 14 pieces of flawed fabric called beng:s. These flawed items were handled in the same way as other stained fabrics, known as gevlekte hamans.

The payment for the fabrics was reimbursed to the Dutch East India Company (EComp) by the ship's authorities. This included the cost of the 9 pieces of ruined hamans, following the established order for their buyout.

In 1718, a ship called Prins Eugen was sent out during the east monsoon season. The ship arrived safely, and the local authorities confirmed that the cargo had been properly delivered.

• The only issue was a package of hamans woebeng (a type of fabric) from Hogermer.
• When opened, 9 pieces were completely ruined and could not be delivered.
• Another 100 pieces were stained.
• Only 8 pieces were in good condition and sold.

On 2 February 1826, the ships Risdam and Hogermeer arrived safely in port after returning from Siam (modern-day Thailand).

• On that day, officials received a letter (numbered 169) aboard the Hogermeer.
• The letter was written by Gregorius Hendrik Oprageman, the leader of the Dutch trading post in Siam, along with his council.
• It was addressed to the Dutch government in the region and dated 28 November of the previous year (1825).
• The letter included standard documents and attachments as proof of its contents.
• It also reported that three ships—the Risdam, the Hogermeer, and the Rab d Gibed Atgard Bedoorde en Clede—had been present in Siam at the time.

On 6 June 1725 and 22 August of the same year, goods were sent on the ships Rijswijk, Prins Eugenius, and Hogermeer to fulfill an agreement. The total value of the goods sent was:

• With the Prins Eugenius: 1,854 guilders, 2 stuivers, and 6⅓ mondjes (small coins).
• With the Hogermeer: 1,483 guilders, 4 stuivers, and 5⅓ mondjes.
• Additional goods: 47,679 guilders and 9 stuivers.

The total amount came to 107,278 guilders, 16 stuivers, and 8 mondjes, which was 9,778 guilders, 16 stuivers, and 8 mondjes more than the original agreement of 20,000 silver ducats in bullion. An extra 59,599 guilders, 7 stuivers, and 8 mondjes was allocated to continue trade and purchase high-quality goods for the benefit of the Dutch East India Company (VOC).

The following events took place regarding the Dutch East India Company (Compagnie, Comp:):

• A merchant named Cock was appointed to replace someone in a position related to Creden (likely a trading post or role).
• Regarding the trading post in Ligor (modern-day Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand), a report called the West Monsoon was referenced, dated 28 November 1725 and 8 January 1726.
• The local Siamese leader in Ayutthaya (referred to as the "Siamese head," Raguna) was involved in discussions.
• The Dutch East India Company decided it was necessary for the Siamese official Gregorius Hendrik Trageman to travel to the main company headquarters (likely Batavia, modern-day Jakarta) while keeping his rank and salary.
• During this opportunity, the under-merchant and Ligor resident Smel Christiaan Cock was promoted to merchant and Siamese head (likely a leadership role in Ayutthaya).
• The under-merchant Aleman was replaced in his role, and Isaac Cleman was appointed and sent as the new Ligor resident.

These changes were made under specific conditions considered important by the company.

In 1726, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) discussed plans for trade with Siam (modern-day Thailand).

• On 1726-03-27, a letter confirmed the need for a ship to sail to Siam.
• On 1726-04-12, the Council of India (VOC leadership in Asia) decided to send the ship Chialoep Ligor to Siam via Jambi (on Sumatra). The ship would carry goods needed by the VOC trading post in Siam.
• On 1726-04-16, the Council also approved sending requested supplies to Siam and picking up collected tin (a valuable trade metal).

In 16, the Dutch prepared several ships for trade missions to Siam (modern-day Thailand) and Ligor (modern-day Nakhon Si Thammarat). The ship Risdam was sent to Ligor and then to Siam. On June 4, the ships Coning Carel and Velserhoofd were dispatched directly to Siam with the following goals:

• Transport cash, goods, and other supplies.
• Collect sappanwood (a valuable red dye wood) and other goods for the Dutch trade demands that year, both for the Netherlands and Dutch India (the Dutch colonies in Asia).

These ships left after official letters were sent on May 19, June 19, and August 11. The letters were recorded in the outgoing Indian Letterbook (a record of Dutch East India Company correspondence). The content of these letters was meant to be responded to later, along with 176 other documents.

The officials in charge were required to inform higher authorities (referred to as "UW Ed. hoog Agtb:" or "Your Highly Esteemed") about the decisions made. On July 26, it was decided to respond to the received letters and additional documents related to Siam. The details of these decisions were documented in the general resolutions of the Castle (likely referring to the Dutch East India Company's administrative headquarters in Batavia, modern-day Jakarta).

• A transport record lists goods brought by various ships and merchants:
  • On an unspecified date, goods included:
    • 1,074 pounds of flour at 6 guilders and 50 pennies per unit.
    • 300 pounds of butter at 5 guilders and 60 pennies.
    • 16 units of bread at 48 guilders, with a total of 24.5 (units unclear).
    • Total value: 1,482 guilders.
  • Brought by the ship Diamant, captained by Christoffen Zuill, from São Cristóvão to Jan Faesch:
    • 137 gallons of (unspecified liquid) at 317 guilders.
    • 163 units of "bakeljaaw" (possibly bacalhau/salted fish) at 16 guilders, totaling 81 units.
    • 250 pounds of tin at 9 guilders.
    • 345 pieces of tin work at 32 guilders.
    • 32 barrels of speck (cured meat) at 10 pennies, totaling 320 guilders and 67 pennies.
    • 536 pieces of meat at 850 guilders.
    • 8,056 pounds of "reyst" (possibly rice or another grain) at 3 pennies, totaling 241 guilders.
  • Brought by the adventuring ship Pierre Cadis from Cayenne to himself and Constance:
    • 36 enslaved men and women.
    • 126 enslaved boys and girls.
    • 38 barrels of red wine at 10 pennies, totaling 380 guilders.
  • Brought by the ship Unique, captained by Willem P., from Santo Domingo to Dubois:
    • 109,281 pounds of sugar at 22 guilders, totaling 3,005 guilders.
    • 5,607 pounds of indigo at 5 guilders, totaling 3,504 guilders and 37 pennies.
    • 3,700 pounds of damaged goods at 15 shillings, totaling 1,156 guilders, 2 pennies, and 7,661 items at 6 pennies.
  • Brought by the ship Batschelos, captained by Goddard, from New York to himself:
    • 200 planks at 31 guilders, 75 pennies, and additional smaller amounts.
    • Total value: 10,698 guilders, 5 pennies.
  • Transport to Hendrik Lier:
    • 441 barrels of flour at 6 pennies, totaling 2,646 guilders and 18 pennies, with 3 guilders and 54 pennies worth damaged.
    • 6 units of butter at 72 guilders and 32.25 pennies.
    • 6,000 units of milk at 1,617 guilders and 64 pennies.
    • 32 shipments of peas at 2,868 guilders.
    • 42 barrels of speck at 16 pennies, totaling 420 guilders and 70 pennies.
    • 8 units of meat at 560 guilders and 6 pennies.
    • 12 units of ham at 72 guilders.
    • Total value: 1,052 guilders.
  • Brought by the ship Maria Elizabeth, captained by Lopes J., from Martinique to João Henrique:
    • 46,709 pounds of sugar at 18 guilders, totaling 684 guilders and 4 pennies.
    • 975 pounds of bread at 6 guilders, totaling 78 guilders and 46 pennies.
    • 9,987 pounds of "cossy" (possibly cassia or another spice) at 3 guilders, totaling 41 guilders.
    • 2,665 pounds of sugar at 22 guilders.
    • 195 chests of cotton at 12 guilders.
    • 660 pounds of coffee at 5 guilders.
  • Brought by the ship Fortuijn, captained by Jan Jacobs Frans, from Grenada to Jan Ulmeijer:
    • 28,390 pounds of opium at 5 guilders, totaling 2,951 guilders and 15 pennies.
    • 15,814 pounds of sugar at 4 pennies, totaling 631 guilders and 33 pennies.
    • 3,320 pounds of bread at 2 guilders, totaling 65 pennies.
    • Total value: 11,354 guilders and 4 pennies.