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• A Persian horse, 4.3 to 4.5 feet tall, any color (white, speckled, gray, brown, or black)
• 3 large hunting dogs trained to catch deer and wild boar (2 female, 1 male)
• 2 ostriches (1 male, 1 female)
• 1 telescope about 12 feet long with 11-12 lenses, capable of seeing people and their clothing from 12 Javanese or 4 Dutch miles away

• 1 yellow Persian horse, 7.5 years old, 4 feet 4 inches tall (Javanese measure)
• The horse died during the journey

• The Rose of Jericho plant
• An olive tree
• 33 different types of plants
• 16 varieties of seeds including horehound, parsley, celery, cardamom, nutmeg, saffron, and long pepper

• Secret instructions about flags and signals to be shown at Lion's Cap and False Bay during winter for returning ships
• A request for supplies for the following year
• A letter to be forwarded to the governor and council of Nagapatnam

• 26,840 pieces of Moorish and European ducats
• 716 ducats by weight
• 36 ounces, 6 Cafsala and 10 carat Mossiraes gold

On December 5, 1731, a report was sent from Cape of Good Hope regarding a case with glass panes and tarragon plants. The chief surgeon, who had remained on the ship Leiden, was transported successfully. The ship Hofvlied delivered items for which officials expressed thanks.

They promised to send 4 cases of tarragon plants when possible, along with previously requested ostriches. Money from Sumatra regents was to be given to Demang Wiera Laga and his son according to earlier orders.

The chief surgeon Gillis Poppe from the ship 's Heeren Arentskerk, who had to stay behind due to illness, recovered and was cleared to travel to Batavia.

The letter was signed by several officials including:

• Ian De La Fontaine
• A. V. Kervel
• D. V. D. Henghel
• I. F. Rhenius
• N. Heijning
• H. Swellengrebel
• C. Brand
• R. Tulbagh

The chief surgeon of the ship 't Wapen van Hoorn reported that their main cause of numerous illnesses and deaths during the voyage from the homeland to Cape of Good Hope was the prolonged struggles near the equator and in the Gulf of Guinea, caused by continuous contrary conditions.

• 26,840 Moorish and European ducats
• 716 ducats in weight
• 30 ounces, 6 cassala, and 10 carat of Mossuaes gold
• 2,698½ pounds or 102 frasel 8 man of spelter

• European ducats decreased from 2 rix-dollars 6 reis to 2 rix-dollars 2 reis
• Old Moorish ducats reduced from 2 rix-dollars 2 reis to 2 rix-dollars 1 reis
• New ducats dropped to 1 rix-dollar 77 reis
• Venetian ducats remained at 2 rix-dollars 10 reis

In a letter to officials, they regretfully explain they cannot deliver the requested amount of rye since this year's crop needs another month before harvest, and they have no supply left from last year. Regarding new and fresh garden seeds, they will be richly provided. Of the sent Ceylon elks, peacocks, and deer, for which they especially thank Commander van der Stel, only 4 animals survived the journey, with the rest dying en route. The letter mentions Ternatese court officials who had taken up arms against the East India Company. One of them, named Boemij Tampale, recently died. They report that the ship Sillida arrived in Gale on November 24 of the previous year with 236 slaves from Madagascar, traded at Magalagie for the Sillida mines on Sumatra's west coast. In March, the ship Burgh van Leiden brought worrying news from the homeland about:

• The state of affairs there
• The capture of the fortress Strasbourg by the King of France
• A bold memorandum delivered to Their High Mightinesses by Count Aivaur, the extraordinary ambassador of the French crown

• There was a sum of 9,232:3:3 in favor of the general government
• They requested several items:
  • 1 live rhinoceros
  • 4 ostriches
  • Various garden seeds including parsley, white and red cabbage, carrots, radish, and cress
  • 150 pounds of medicinal herbs including sage, rosemary, marjoram, elder flowers, and bryony root
• The rhinoceros and ostriches were meant for the island's emperor, who was reportedly very eager to receive them
• All attempts to speak with the emperor had been unsuccessful, and their envoy had not been allowed at court
• Despite this, they were able to collect cinnamon from the forests without interference, gathering about 8,000 packs of 80 pounds each from the emperor's territory
• The ships named Berg China, Hendrik Maurits, and the fluyt Croonenburgh carried various documents and books
• They were short on ships to manage the widespread island's requirements
• They could not fulfill the previous year's request for three barrels of arrack due to shortage

In Candia, the Emperor showed great appreciation for the Dutch East India Company's efforts in sending gifts, including two special birds called Hancias. These gifts were delayed due to unfavorable days called "Ettavaha Cona sangrandi," and had to be rested at various stops to prevent misfortune. The Emperor was particularly pleased with the efforts made by searching different lands with ships to find these birds. Due to this and other loyal services, he wished for the Dutch to remain in his lands for many years. In April, the imperial letters and gifts, along with the Ambassador, were to be received by His Imperial Majesty. The Ambassador secured permission for cinnamon peeling in wild lands where it had been harvested before. When three Dutch ships from Bengal were heading to Gale, one sank. 9 Dutch people and 10 sailors survived by swimming to a place called Carandavoli. The Emperor ordered them to be brought to Candia and then transferred to Colombo with the Ambassador. A letter was received warning about the dangers of the Dutch staying in unfamiliar lands.

The text discusses correspondence about ships and trade in colonial times. The Dutch ambassador in Cadiz had detained some vessels. The authorities were pleased that ship captains strictly followed sailing orders, leading to quick and successful voyages. They were waiting for a response to a letter from January 9, along with promised garden seeds and artichoke plants. They expressed interest in acquiring young ostriches as gifts for Raja Singa and others, noting this elderly ruler's fondness for such presents. Garden seeds and provisions sent with Polanen arrived in small quantities, disappointing enthusiasts. They received good-quality windhounds sent the previous year with Outshoorn. While unable to fulfill current demands due to early orders to Persia, they promised to consider future requests. They couldn't send 60 or more loads of rice due to limited ship space, as cargo ships were scarce and needed for missions to the Maldives and mapping expeditions. However, they suggested that if a hoeker (small vessel) was sent, it could return with rice in October or November. The current shipment included:

• 2 cases of Persian wine
• 2,000 Surat flintstones
• Plants of sugarcane, tobacco, and coconut trees (to be sent with the ships Velsen, Kattenburg, and Soetendaal)

On April 29, 1711, officials in Castle of Good Hope wrote a letter, signed by L. V. Assenburgh, W. Helot, Olof Bergh, A. P. van der Laan, K. J. Slosboo, J. Swellengreebel, and W. van Putte. They expressed concern about the ship Engewormer, which had departed with Doornik and Barsande but hadn't arrived yet. They also mentioned purchasing two young ostriches for 5 Rijksdaalders each, noting that older ostriches don't travel well and easily die.

They could only send 74¼ pounds of garden seeds instead of the requested 100 pounds, and couldn't fulfill the rye request because there had been almost no rye harvest in the past two years.

In a later note dated May 9, 1711, they reported that the ship Den Bergh had arrived. It had left Texel on January 1 with 7 company ships. During the voyage, 14 people died and 53 were sick. The letter was addressed to Governor-General Abraham van Riebeeck and the Council of Batavia.

On October 1731, at the trading post in Nangasacki, Japan, Governor Vosso I. Snaba NoCammi Lamma and imperial agent Sacquemon made several requests:

• 3 large, trained hunting dogs for catching deer and wild boars (2 females, 1 male)
• 2 ostriches (1 male, 1 female)
• A paper measure showing the height of a Persian stallion
• 33 different types of plants or their seeds, including olive trees, saffron, nutmeg, and various medicinal herbs
• 20 different types of seeds including celery and citrus
• 1 Dutch water filter stone
• 50-60 rye skins, following the 1727 sample (thin-skinned, coarse-grained, clear white)
• 37.5 pounds of high-quality red Sappan wood for dye
• 40 glass bottles (20 square cellar flasks and 20 round bottles)
• Some small Bengali birds

For the Japanese Crown Prince:

• 10 hexagonal crystal bowls with lids, decorated with engraved flowers and vines
• Some beautiful birds

For Governor Naba Nocammi Samma:

• 5-6 large pieces of undamaged Muscovite glass

For Imperial Factor Jacquemon Donne:

• 100 candlesticks

On October 16, 1761, a slave named Januarij van Batavia, owned by farmer Alerijn Smid, made a statement to clerk Lucas Digismundus Faber in Batavia. He testified about events that happened about a month earlier at a farm in Swartland while his owner and owner's wife were away fishing.

A Khoikhoi man named Arend had come to the farm with his two children, Jantje and Adam, and his sheep. He was waiting for Januarij's owner to return. One morning, while Arend was watching ostriches on the land, a gunshot was heard. Januarij and a fellow slave named Eva, who were watching the house, went to investigate.

They saw Arend running, being chased by farmer Hendrik Ras, who carried a stick, and his son Claas Ras, who had a gun. The Ras men shouted at Arend to stop, but he refused, saying they would beat him if he did. Arend then ran into the house but quickly fled when he found the owner wasn't there.

The two Ras men then entered the house searching for a Khoikhoi woman named Cathoijn, who they claimed had run away from their farm. When they couldn't find her, they forced Januarij to unlock a room where they found Arend's two children, with whom Januarij had been playing earlier. The Ras men then left without taking the children.

On February 1, Captain Edate came with two sheep to trade. They wanted 5 staffs of copper and tobacco, but this was considered too much. The group traveled northeast to a nice river containing mussels similar to those in the homeland. They saw 2 rhinoceros and 3 ostriches that day, traveling 2 miles while trying to keep their goods dry.

On February 2, they headed north-northeast to a small water valley, then changed course northward to a dry river. They saw 9 zebras and 4 ostriches, traveling 1.5 miles.

On February 3, they went northeast, then north-northeast. A lion was spotted on the path but ran away. They reached a dry clay river where they dug for water but found it too thick to drink. They headed toward Riebeeck's Castle, a mountain visible from the Cape that was 7-8 miles around. The mountain housed lions, rhinoceros, horses, ostriches, and hartebeest, with good grass and water. According to Pieter Cruijthoff, there was decent farmland around the mountain. They traveled 4.5 miles that day, with a lion prowling nearby during the night.

On February 4, they traveled east over the ridge beside Riebeeck's Castle, then northeast, losing sight of Table Mountain. They found three houses of Sonquas (robbers) by a small river. The Sonquas had caught many carp. The writer gave them tobacco and had two men collect from large anthills.

In November 1443, officials discussed sending a rhinoceros horn and young ostrich eggs. They hoped to maintain peace with a foreign ruler. The Dutch East India Company (referred to as Comp.) wanted to keep its position in the land secure. Unfortunately, they only had one rhinoceros horn in stock to send as a gift, along with three young ostriches. They hoped these would arrive safely.

Following instructions from November 29th of the previous year, they were asked to procure rare living creatures for Raja Binga. The document mentions medical herbs for the apothecary's shop and a shipment of newly harvested rye. The cost was recorded as 32 guilders.

The ship "Guldewagen" was ready to sail. Due to necessity, they had to remove some cargo meant for Ceylon, including a case of iron ram-hooks. This cargo was worth 25 guilders, 13 stuivers, and 3 pennies according to the homeland invoice. The ship received sailing orders to take the outer route to Ceylon this season. The document is signed by Simon.

On the ship d'Eendragt, the following goods were transported: 270¾ pounds of garden seeds, 10 loads of wheat, 1 load of rye, 2 measures of grey peas, 2 measures of white peas, 2 measures of white beans, 12 barrels of Cape wine, 2 wild donkeys, 120 pieces of chamois leather, 20 pieces of red leather, and 20 pieces of yellow leather. These items were documented in the accompanying bill of lading.

Additional items were promised to be sent on the next available ship, including ostrich feathers and whale oil. However, some requested seeds and herbs could not be sent as they were unavailable. These included 20 pieces of grey leather, 20 pounds of rue, 40 pounds of wormwood, 25 pounds of rosemary, various oils, 12 pounds of marmalade, 1 barrel of preserved roses, and 4 pounds of rosemary extract.

A secret letter was enclosed regarding flags and signals to be shown to returning ships at Leeuwen Copen Bil in the coming year and during winter in Baaij Fuls. The ship Breedenhoff arrived on September 30. Its crew reported encountering the ship Zeelandia in the Channel on June 9, which was heading to Ceylon. The ship Herculles remained in Texel and was expected to follow about a month later.

On February 26, 1732, from Cape of Good Hope, officials sent four ostriches to Batavia. They hoped the birds would survive the journey and instructed the ship's authorities to take good care of them. The ship Pallas arrived at Robben Island on February 25.

The letter was signed by various officials including Jan de Lafontaine, A. V. Kervel, D. V. D. Henghel, J. F. Rhenius, N. Neyning, H. Swellengrebel, C. Brand, and R. Tulbagh at Castle of Good Hope.

A previous letter dated October 18 was sent to Governor-General Diderik Durven and the Council of the Dutch East Indies via Captain Pieter Tinnekens, who commanded the water ship De Cockenge. A second copy of sailing instructions for the return ships' commanders was included because not all captains had signed the first one due to haste. The ship Prattenburg was waiting for its boat to return.

• 3 ostriches
• 10 cassowaries
• 10 birds of paradise
• 10 white pheasants
• 10 peacocks
• 10 Sumatran birds
• 10 year-birds
• 10 Siamese cranes
• 10 golden doves

A letter mentions a financial transaction of ƒ 9,232.3.3 for the government. The writer requests several items, including:

• 1 live rhinoceros
• 4 ostriches
• 1 last of new rye
• 2 new turpe or Mauritian doonties
• 36 pounds of various garden seeds including:
  • 6 pounds of parsley
  • 6 pounds of white cabbage
  • 6 pounds of red cabbage
  • 6 pounds of carrots
  • 6 pounds of radish
  • 6 pounds of cress
• 150 pounds of medicinal herbs including:
  • 20 pounds of sage
  • 50 pounds of rosemary
  • 20 pounds of marjoram
  • 30 pounds of elder
  • 30 pounds of bryony root

The rhinoceros and ostriches are intended for the island's emperor, who is reportedly eager to receive them. The writer hopes these gifts will help maintain peace. Despite attempts to arrange an audience with the emperor, their ambassador has not yet been received at court. Nevertheless, they were able to harvest cinnamon from the forests without interference, collecting about 8,000 packages of 80 pounds each from the emperor's territory for the Company.

In a report dated May 11, 1710, from the Castle of Good Hope, several officials including Louis van Assenburg, Joan Cornelis Hesius, O. Berg, d'Ableing, Joan Adolf vander Laan, K.J. Slotsbom Cruse, Willem van Putten, and Willem Helot wrote about ship cargo matters.

They mentioned taking 10 barrels of butter from a ship called the "Old Naarden" for government needs, as all their supplies had been given to the recently departed return fleet. They were also sending 3 ostriches to Governor-General Abraham van Riebeek, as recommended by van Hoorn. Some ostriches had died, as they noted these birds are very delicate when young, but they hoped the surviving ones would make it through the journey. They also shipped half a barrel of marmalade.

In a postscript, they reported that the ship "House of Heemert" had arrived at noon with only one death and no sick people on board. They also noted seeing another ship on the horizon.

• 2 male and 4 female ostriches
• A telescope approximately 12 feet long with 11-12 lenses, capable of identifying people and their clothing from 12 Japanese or Dutch miles away
• Square glass bottles in various sizes:
  • 10-30 pieces of half-can size (standard bottle)
  • 10-30 pieces of quarter-can size
  • 10-30 pieces of eighth-can size
• Small vials measuring 17½, 17/42½, and 1 inch in height
• 38 types of plants including:
  • Rose of Jericho
  • Olive tree
  • Sempervivum balm
  • Wine rue
  • Caput
  • Aloe
  • Dictamnus
  • Lily
  • Wild betony
  • Sage

• 1 unit of white beans
• 12 barrels of Cape wine (4 regular, 8 in fulfillment of requirements)
• 2 wild wounded donkeys
• 120 pieces of chamois leather
• 20 pieces each of red, yellow, and gray leather
• 20 pounds of rue herb
• 40 pounds of wormwood
• 25 pounds of rosemary
• 1 pound each of rosemary and mint
• 12 pounds of marmalade
• 1 barrel of salted roses
• 4 pounds of ratmar flowers

In 556, only 4 peacocks and deer out of a shipment from Ceylon survived the journey, for which special thanks were given to Commander van der Stell. The writer expressed interest in receiving more animals in future shipments. The small size of their vessel prevented them from sending young ostriches in return. The message also mentions Ternatese rebels who had taken up arms against the Company and were transported to Batavia on returning ships, following orders from high officials.