Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

On 4 July 1745, a financial record was created in Curaçao regarding payments for monthly wages and allowances (called maantgelden and randsoenen).

• Carel Gustaaff, a clerk, had been in service since 5 July 1741.
• An old account (called Oude Reek) showed a debt of ƒ11,600 (or £4,833) for a four-year period.
• A new account (called Onde Reek) also listed the same debt of ƒ11,600 (or £4,833) for the same period.
• This amount was withdrawn by Carel Gustaaff through a financial order (called an assignatie), charged to the respected directors (called Bewindhebberen) for the benefit of Lourends van Oosten.
• The withdrawal covered 3 months of wages and allowances paid in advance:
  • Monthly wages (ƒ625).
  • Allowances (ƒ100).
• The total advanced amount was ƒ725 (or £302), due on 4 October 1745.

The document was officially recorded at Fort Amsterdam in Curaçao by Elias Luydens, the clerk.

The records from 1746 include several key documents related to Dutch trade, shipping, and legal matters in the Caribbean and Asia:

• A letter from C. G. Schrijver, dated January 10, 1746.
• A letter from G. C. Esdre, dated January 14, 1746, along with a pay record for Jan Gerard Pax, finalized in December 1745.
• Multiple letters from Isaak Faesch, a director, dated January 17, 1746, including one accompanying a cargo manifest for the ship Vrouw Johanna, captained by A. Adriaense.
• A manifest for goods loaded on the ship Mooijweer, captained by Lodewijk Wielicx.
• A sworn statement from the crew of the ship Wakende haan, dated January 4, 1746.
• A copied letter from Adriaen Nobel in Batavia (Jakarta), dated October 6, 1745, addressed to Johan Clemens and other shipowners.
• A letter from Fredrick Zaunslifer, commander on Bonaire, to Isaak Faesch, along with a statement from Lucas Leth and others about the capture of a company vessel.
• Lists of ships and captains, including the Johanna Elisabeth (captained by Arent Westerburgh) and Hoop (captained by Jane Rynderse).
• Multiple letters from the directors and council, dated between January 18 and March 7, 1746.
• A resolution by the council on February 3, 1746, regarding a public announcement about ships captured by the Spanish.
• A warning and authorization related to reclaiming captured ships, dated February 1746.
• A written opinion by Joh. Stuiling arguing that certain captured ships did not need to be reclaimed.
• A request from the director to Captain Versteveren regarding Lieutenant Betting, followed by a written response.
• A public notice about sending someone to Havana to reclaim captured ships, dated March 2, 1746.
• A letter from Isaak Faesch, dated March 12, 1746, including accounts and notes on fortifications.
• A bottomry bond (a type of loan for ships) for 3,600 guilders issued by Jan R. Faesch on behalf of the widow of Jan Rudott.
• A bill of lading for 3 sacks of silver worth 3,000 pesos.
• Legal complaints about crimes involving the ship Philippe, captained by Cornelis Pearij, spanning pages 866 to 919.

This text describes a list of goods prepared as gifts for a trading post called Comptoir Ligoor. The items were sent on the ship Risdam.

• For Eijsch:
  • 3 boxes of rosewater, including 2 dozen small ribbed bottles.
  • 24 pounds of spices of various kinds.
• For Comptoir Ligoor (as gifts):
  • ½ piece of red woolen cloth, 36 units long.
  • 1 piece of green perpetuaan (a type of fabric).
  • 10 fine custmoerissen (likely a type of cloth or garment).
  • 10 painted chitsen (a type of cotton cloth).
  • 10 mallemollen (a type of fabric, possibly Bengal striped cloth).
  • 1 box of Persian-quality rosewater (though it is noted that the rosewater was not actually included).
  • 8 pounds of spices of various kinds.

The text also notes that 24 pounds of "spelerijen" (likely small goods or trinkets) were delivered with King Charles (possibly referring to a person or another shipment). It is again mentioned that the rosewater was not included.

On an unspecified date, a financial record noted the following:

• An unpaid debt of Ralsdan (mentioned before) remained unsettled, totaling 10 ponds (currency). The same issue applied to another unpaid amount of 10 ponds due to reasons previously sent with Risdam. An additional unpaid sum of 200 ponds was also noted.
• For the "confited ginger" (likely preserved ginger) requested for the homeland, the following supplies were sent on the ships Prins Eugenius and Hogermer:
  • 500 picols (a weight unit, roughly 60 kg each) of powdered sugar, and
  • 90 barrels of fresh water.
• Other necessary supplies, including food, equipment, artillery, weapons, and additional provisions, were properly loaded onto the three mentioned ships (number 25). These supplies were sent to both trading offices for the year 1717 (or possibly 1716/1717).

Additional unpaid amounts of 8 and 10 ponds were also recorded.

The document describes the design requirements for two ships to be built in Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) on July 13, 1724. The specifications include:

• A strong spit (braad-spit) at the front (bow) of the ship.
• A windlass (spil) in the center of the deck to lift heavy anchors, barrels, and buoys from the ground with force.
• The design should follow the model of the ship Risdam, which was sent to Rembang as a reference.
• This model would serve as a standard for constructing the two new vessels of the required size.

The document was signed by Matthijs de Haan in the castle of Batavia.

• On 30 September 1689, a general letter strictly prohibited local rulers from appointing officials without approval.
• Three ships—Risdam, Prins Eugenius, and Hoogermeer—were sent to Siam in May and July to collect tin and sapanwood.
• On 3 March, a request for silverwork was still pending, but officials warned that alternative solutions would be needed if such demands continued.
• On 24 July, the Council of India discussed wool trade issues, noting that a response to Berquelang had been delayed because no letter from His Excellency about the requested silverwork had arrived.

On 28 September 1725, officials in Siam were strongly reminded (and previously on 28 April of that year) to buy goods as cheaply as possible to save cash for the Dutch East India Company (VOC). However, instead of following this order, they spent a large amount—408 bales—in cash over the past 12 months and only reduced the king’s debt by 250 bales. They asked not to be blamed for this, claiming a misunderstanding.

The officials argued that their earlier response was misinterpreted as a recommendation to continue buying goods at their own discretion. Yet, in a later letter from 8 September, they admitted to purchasing another 197 bales after the ship Risdam had left. A letter was sent to them (attached) about this issue.

The ship Risdam successfully delivered 3,828 lates (a type of currency), along with trading records and payroll books from Ligor (modern Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand) and other documents.

On 29 September, the ship Hoogermer arrived, captained by Matheus Zwaan, with accountant Abraham Raams. They had left Batavia (modern Jakarta) on 22 August with engineers from the prince of Batavia. They brought respected letters and attachments, totaling ƒ60,587.10.8 (Dutch guilders) in value, as listed in the records.

Additionally, on 15 August, the accountant of the ship Prins Engenius, David Sonnemans, arrived at the local VOC office.

• In 1296, several ships departed from Langerak to various destinations, including:
  • The ship Chialoup to Timor on March 2.
  • The ship 't Wapen van Hoorn (a warship).
  • The yacht Wynen Daal.
  • The frigates Castor en Pollux.
  • The ship 't Land van Beloften.
  • The ship Strijkebolle.
  • The ship Magdalena Witsburg Thuijs.
  • The ship de Vlotter.
  • The fluyt (cargo ship) Hoogemeer.
  • The fluyt Amazone.
  • The ship Risdam.
  • The ship Chialoep Samarang.
  • The ship den Oostendeenaer.
  • The patchiall (small vessel) de Hoop on March 16.
• On the same day (March 16), the following ships also set sail:
  • The ship Thuijs ter Boede.
  • The frigate Thienhoven to Cheribon.
  • The patchiall de Beschermer.
• On March 22, these ships departed:
  • The ship Bellevliet to Palembang.
  • The ship 't Hoff Niet Altijd Winter to Rembang.
• On March 27, the ship Saxenburg (destination: het Vaderland, meaning "the Fatherland," likely referring to the Dutch Republic) departed.
• In March 1726, ships departed from Batavia to:
  • Tagal (likely referring to Manila).
  • Samarang (now Semarang, Indonesia).

This record tracks ships arriving in and departing from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) and other trading posts in Asia between March 27, 1726 and November 1726:

• The ship Saxenburg departed for the Dutch homeland (Netherlands) on March 27, 1726.
• In April 1726, the following ships left for the homeland:
  • Coning Carel (King Charles)
  • Wolfharsdijk
  • de Prins Eugenius (Prince Eugene) on April 2.
• To Semarang (on Java):
  • The small boat (pantchalang) de Bagger.
  • The ship Cats.
• To Tagal (likely Manila):
  • The Portuguese ship Nossa Senhora de Piedade.
• From Macao:
  • The small boat de Snoek (The Pike).
  • The small boat de Haai (The Shark), carrying goods worth 5 guilders.
• To Cirebon (on Java):
  • The ship het Raadhuis van Vlissingen (The Vlissingen Town Hall) on April 7.
• To Banten (on Java):
  • The frigate Castor en Pollux on April 9.
• From Tagal:
  • The Portuguese ship Nossa Senhora do Penha São José.
• From Macao:
  • The small boat de Suikermaalder (The Sugar Grinder).
• From Jambi (on Sumatra):
  • The Portuguese ship Nossa Senhora da Conceição São Francisco on April 10.
• From Macao:
  • 1 unnamed Westerner (likely a European trader or passenger).

In May 1726, several ships arrived and departed from Vlissingen and Samarang:

• The ship 't Raadhuis arrived in Vlissingen from Samarang on May 2.
• On the same day, the ship Koning Carel left for Bantam, carrying preacher Joannes Boeckenberg and the relieved lieutenant Jan Zeevaart.
• A Portuguese brigantine arrived from Samarang on May 3, but its journey was incomplete.
• The ship Loretto departed for Timor on May 6.
• The fluyt Risdam arrived from Samarang on May 8.
• The ship Wijnendaal, along with two local vessels, left for Samarang on May 9 with 150 soldiers and 4 drummers.
• The English ship Vonshine departed for Madras (date not specified).
• The fluyt Hogermeer left for an unspecified destination.
• The pilot boat Vleugel departed from Samarang to Tanjong Poura (date not specified).

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) paid a total of ƒ156,205 for two main expenses:

• A demand ("Eysch") for red cloth to supply the court in Ayutthaya (Siam) completely.
• A demand for goods needed by the servants of Bhaar Silver, including items requested by Coopmansz and gifts ("Schenkagie") for Siam and Ligor (modern Nakhon Si Thammarat). These goods were sent via the ships Risdam, Prins Iugeen, and Hogermeer.

The total cost for both was ƒ156,205. Some minor additional expenses of little significance were also mentioned, with further details available in referenced letters and records.

• 20 pounds of a material called Bindkoort (likely a type of cordage or binding material).
• 200 pounds of sealing wax, packed in well-secured crates, with specific instructions:
  • 185 pounds of red sealing wax, divided into 60 pounds of thin pieces and 125 pounds of thick pieces.
  • 15 pounds of black sealing wax for linen pieces.
  These were to be stored outside the ship’s hold in a cool place.
• 2000 pounds of sail yarn.
• 50 rolls of wide sailcloth and 150 rolls of narrow sailcloth.
• 200 pieces of lead lines (used for measuring water depth).
• 1500 chickens (likely for food supply).
• 400 common white lines (likely ropes or cords).

• 120 pounds in large pieces.
• 65 pounds in small pieces.
• The required 15 pounds of black sealing wax.

• Agatha and Clarabeek, which carried 2000 pounds of the cargo.
• Ter Horst and Risdam, along with Agatha, Hopvogel, Susanna, Arendsduijm, and Clarabeek, which together transported:
  • 150 rolls of sailcloth, divided among 5 ships.
  • 200 pieces of lead lines, divided among 6 ships.
  • 400 white lines, divided among 10 ships.
  • 150 chickens.
  • 50 rolls of wide sailcloth.

• Several ships arrived from Siam (modern Thailand), including:
  • The ships Risdam and Hogermeer on February 2 and 6, carrying goods worth ƒ95,918.4, including sappan wood, tin, gum lac, elephant tusks, and preserved ginger.
  • The frigate Castor and the ships Ruijm, 23 Thon, and Pollux, with a total value of ƒ2,353,260.12.
  • Additional returns totaling ƒ2,297,686, with more details to follow in later reports.
• On December 28, 1768, the newly built yacht Constantia arrived from Ceylon (modern Sri Lanka) with unfortunate news:
  • The governor of Ceylon, Joannes Hartenberg Hertenberg, had died on October 19, 1768, after suffering from a lingering illness.
• The arrival of these ships allowed for a second shipment to be sent to the Netherlands.

After 1620, the trading posts in Palicollu (modern-day Pulicat) and Datcheri (near Devikottai) were closed. This happened while workers were already following up on a letter sent by authorities on October 27.

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) had, in the meantime, encouraged groups of workers:

• Merchants
• Cloth painters (likely textile artists)
• Washers (likely textile cleaners or bleachers)

These workers were urged to return to their usual trades, either in Masulipatnam (modern-day Machilipatnam) or within Golconda (a nearby region). The plan was for them to continue paying their yearly share of 1,000 pieces of cloth, as previously agreed upon in earlier contracts.

The text discusses the trade practices of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in India. It mentions specific types of cloth called "doekens" that were typically included in shipments to regions like Pulicat and Masulipatnam, as well as to trading posts further south.

• The cloth was meant to be distributed and sold in these areas.
• This practice had already been tested successfully in the previous year (no specific date given).
• The goal was to expand these efforts to avoid the troubles and difficulties faced in other trading methods.

Between 1620 and 1707, the Dutch trading posts (called Comtoiren) in question were profitable. They didn’t just make money—they also helped the Dutch East India Company (VOC) avoid extra costs in those areas since no goods were lost or spoiled there. These posts seemed to have been set up mainly to store and safely collect cloth (risdam fabrics) until the yearly shipment, as ordered by the company’s leaders.

The company considered this a major success and expected its officials to keep monitoring the situation. Future reports would help decide if the trading posts should stay open or follow new instructions from the company’s board.

The summary also mentions a disputed claim: a local official named Pannagondas Fausdhaar demanded a two-year tax exemption worth 400 pagodas (a type of currency). The company planned to review this claim later based on further reports.

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) requested funds for its trading posts in Siam (modern-day Thailand) and Ligor (modern-day Nakhon Si Thammarat) for the year 1792.

• The total demand was for 20,000 ducats (or its equivalent in local silver currency, called catties).
• This amount was broken down as follows:
  • 200 catties allocated for the trading post in Ligor.
  • 176 catties, 3 taels, 12 mas (smaller units of weight/money) for the trading post in Siam.
  • An additional 200 catties were sent to Ligor later to support the tin trade there.
• The remaining funds were kept in cash at the trading post, including newly exchanged ducats.
• The total debt owed by the local king (likely the King of Siam) in cash at that time was 11 catties, 17 taels, and 8 mas.

This document lists trade goods and financial transactions involving Dutch ships in the early modern period:

• An unnamed ship carried 20 loads of a product called moverissen.
• The same ship also transported another 20 loads of unspecified goods.
• A third shipment from the same vessel included another 20 loads.
• The ship Prins Eugenius was involved in a transaction worth 1,000 pounds (ponden), but no further details were provided due to "known troubles in Persia."
• A cellar (likely a ship’s hold) linked to the Prins Deugenius was mentioned, but no goods were listed for the same reason as above.
• Another entry noted 2 pounds of goods linked to earlier transactions, but again, nothing was delivered due to the issues in Persia.
• A final payment of 24 pounds was made for unspecified reasons.
• A gift shipment was prepared for Ligoor (likely a local ruler or official) using the fluyt ship Risdam, including:
  • ½ piece of an unspecified item.
  • 10 pounds of "white" moverissen from Eijsch.
  • 10 pounds of red moverissen (customs noted).
  • 10 pounds of Cassa Bengals (likely a type of fabric or spice).
  • 8 pounds of Chitsen (another fabric or textile).
  • 1 pound of mixed spices.
  • 200 bottles of kakspersaens rozenwater (a type of rosewater).
  • An unspecified amount of flint stones (vuursteenen).
• Additional supplies were listed for ship provisions (Provisien), equipment (Equipagie), artillery, weapons, and a small amount of wine, totaling 60 (units unclear).

• Abel Comun was responsible for supplying a medical storehouse in Siam (modern-day Thailand).
• The following items were ordered to be prepared and sent to the main city (likely Batavia, now Jakarta):
• 20 packs of Thotassen (a type of cloth), each pack containing 50 pieces called marados.
• Each piece was to be 2¼ cobidos (a unit of measurement) wide.
• Originally, 4 cloths were to be made per marado, but this was changed to 2.
• Half of the cloths were to have heads (likely decorative ends) on both ends.
• The other half were to have a head on only one end so they could be sewn together and used as wrapping cloths.
• The length was not specified in the order, so previous orders from Siam were to be used as a reference.
• 12 packs of common Hammans (another type of cloth), each pack containing 45 pieces.

In this record, a merchant named Singam Pinasse was excused (likely from certain taxes or duties) for a shipment containing:

• 93 packs of unspecified goods.
• 150 pieces of zijde Allegiassen (a type of silk fabric) in various colors.
• 150 pieces of smooth double-width armosijn (a rich, glossy fabric), broken down by color:
  • 20 pieces in black.
  • 20 pieces in light and dark blue.
  • 50 pieces in red.
  • 10 pieces in cinnamon (brownish-red).
  • 10 pieces in orange.
  • 10 pieces in green.
  • 10 pieces in yellow.
  • 20 pieces in white.

In 1634, a shipment was arranged with the following ships: Westerbeek, Amazone, Ouwerkerk, Hoogermeer, Purmerlust, Crooswijk, Wijnendaal, Gansenhoeff, Susanna, Arendsduijn, Risdam, Clarabeek, Agatha, Hopvogel, and Ter Horst.

Officials from the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in Bengal confirmed they had secured the necessary resources to produce the requested goods. Initially, local merchants were reluctant to agree to contracts, likely due to competition from English traders and others. To encourage cooperation, the VOC ministers decided to pay half the money upfront. Thanks to strong pressure from the director, most of the requested goods were successfully loaded onto the mentioned ships.

Only a few items were missing, including:

• Some Tesserse fabrics intended for Japan and Jangernaat.
• Pourse Cassas (a type of fabric) meant for Persia.

The rest of the goods were received in the correct quantities, as listed in the accompanying documents (15 pages).

The Dutch East India Company (VOC) received a shipment of fabrics and goods from Bengal intended for Batavia and other trading posts in India for the years 1723 and 1724. The goods, transported by 15 ships starting from 19 December of the previous year, arrived late—most fabrics and linens didn’t reach their destination until after 20 April. This delay meant that demand from the eastern provinces couldn’t be fully met.

To prevent future shortages, it was suggested that, in addition to the usual shipments from the Dutch Republic, at least one ship should be sent early—by October or November—with a portion of the fabrics and linens for India. The director, Vuijst, and his council were strongly advised to arrange this. There was also an expectation that the company’s interests would be carefully managed by providing high-quality goods at fair prices to maintain trade.

Based on this, the following order was placed for India:

• 15 packs of Tammans Hendiaalse fabrics, each 23–24 units long and 2 7/8–3 units wide, called Cobidos.
• 10 packs of plain fabrics.
• 5 packs of the same fabrics but with gold-trimmed edges.

Between the years 1000 and 1200, the following goods were ordered for trade:

• 145-pound crates of opium:
  • Expected to be of good quality and from the newest harvest.
  • All efforts were to be made to send most of this amount on the first ships leaving the region.
  • The goal was to avoid delays and ensure quick delivery.
• Saltpeter (potassium nitrate):
  • As much as the returning ships could carry without difficulty.
  • Intended to be used as necessary ballast for the return ships.
  • There had been a shortage of this in previous years, making it hard to meet domestic demands in the homeland.
• 300 loads of Bantam (Banten) wheat:
  • Expected to be the newest and best-quality grain.
  • Had to be tightly packed in better sacks than those usually used in the region to prevent waste.
  • Every year, around 100 to 150 loads could be bought locally before the wheat from Batavia arrived.
• 300 loads of mung beans:
  • Also expected to be of the required quality and condition.
• 50 loads of cassia (a spice):
  • Expected to be from the newest harvest.
• 42 unspecified items (likely additional goods or loads).

In 1623 or 1624, the following ships arrived carrying goods:

• The ships Weijnendaal, Crooswijk, Gansenhoeff, Amazone, Ouwerkerk, Hogermeer, Purmerlust, and Westerbeek delivered 926 chests of goods. From these, enough melted fat was obtained to supply 15 ships (excluding the named grain ships) for their maintenance needs.
• The ships Susanna, Arendsduijn, Risdam, Clarabeek, Wijnendaal, Gansenhaeff, and Amazone delivered an additional 300 lasten (a Dutch unit of weight) of requested goods.
• The ships Agatha, Hopvogel ter Horst, Crooswijk, and Amaroae delivered another 300 lasten.
• The ships Ouwerkerk, Westerbeek, and Purmerlustidan delivered 50 lasten.
• The ships Susanna and Hogermeer delivered 200 pots of fresh cow butter, noted for its good, fresh taste and not being old or overly strong.

The following additional goods were also received:

• 600 cans of high-quality flaxseed oil, packed in well-sealed containers to prevent leakage and contamination of other goods.
• 4 packages of wax cloth.
• 5000 pounds of packing yarn.
• 50,000 pieces of long, dense canvas, made as previously requested in earlier orders.
• 30,000 pieces of canvas bags, made of good, dense material and of proper size.
• 500 pounds of mustard seeds from the most recent harvest.

• The Dutch received 3 shipments of goods from Siam, including:
  • 62,576 pounds of powdered sugar packed in 223 jars.
  • 90 new earthenware jars filled with drinking water to seal gaps and prevent leakage, following Siamese methods (water changed every 6 to 10 days).
  • Iron bands were used to reinforce the jars, addressing past complaints about 12 defective jars sent the previous year, which had been unfairly criticized in a Siamese letter dated September 25, 1724.
• Tin imports were limited to Ligor and India only when necessary, as existing stockpiles from Siam, Malacca, and Banka were already excessive—enough to last 8 to 10 years without new shipments.
• Silver was prioritized over other goods to avoid oversupply, as:
  • 291,879.5 pounds of elephant tusks were transported by ships like the Prins Engenius.
  • Some goods (like ivory) were redirected to avoid market saturation, as Surat already had excess stock from Cape of Good Hope.
• Ships (Depuins, Eugenius, Hoogermeer, Risdam) were expected to carry high-quality sapanwood, with crews instructed to pack it loosely to maintain quality.
• Certain goods were exempted:
  • Eaglewood (Aguilhout) and camphor (Namrak) were not required.
  • A total of 1,480,075 pounds of sapanwood was received.