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View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 473 / 0382 In the villages of Ciram and Boewe, there were incidents involving Gilolo in 299. While populations in Meillut differed from those in other regions in 312, the focus was on trade and nutmeg production in 313. The nutmeg quality in Gilolo was similar to that of Bauta in 314. Obe major became largely depopulated in 294. While Banda produced nutmeg everywhere, trade regulations became stricter in 317. Major trade developments occurred in Banda during 322, influenced by Euilius. A trade capital assessment in the Moluccas was conducted in 327, with revenue estimates following in 930. While taxes were not collected in some islands by 357, southern islands had poor barter trade by 892. In 360, it became clear that restricting trade to certain points was impossible. Gilolo, Boerae, and Ciram remained important for trade. Villages under local chiefs could only change gradually. By 372, plans were made to:
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View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 473 / 0388 According to a report about Arnhem Land dated February 17, 1803, written by Matthew Flinders, the explorers encountered signs of other seafarers while sailing along the coast. After passing between Cape Wilberforce and Bromby's Isles, they sailed southeast along the mainland. They observed several large islands near the coast, and on the nearest island, they spotted:
The explorers wondered about these people's identity and purpose. Based on traces previously found in the Gulf, and reports from natives in Caledon Bay about people with firearms, Flinders believed they might be Chinese sailors.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 473 / 0390 On February 17, 1803, a ship encountered several vessels near the coast. The commander initially suspected them to be pirates (Ladrones) but sent Lieutenant Flinders with an armed boat to investigate. After anchoring, they learned the vessels were prows from Macassar, and 6 Malay commanders came aboard in a canoe. Communication was possible through a Malay interpreter. The chief of the six prows was Pobassoo, who explained there were 60 prows along the coast in different groups, with Valloo as their commander-in-chief.
These Malay visitors were Muslims and showed disgust at seeing pigs in the launch, though they accepted port wine. The weather was stormy overnight with heavy rain. On February 18, 1803, the officers visited Pobassoo's vessel and later received the chiefs on their ship, the Investigator. Several trading canoes came alongside. By noon, 6 more prows arrived from the northeast. The visitors, all carrying daggers, were shown gun exercises at their request before departing peacefully in the evening.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 473 / 0391 On February 18-19, 1803, a fleet of ships called prows was observed. The crew kept their guns ready and half the people at battle stations all night. In the morning, the prows sailed through a narrow passage between Cape Wilberforce and Bromby Isles, heading southeast into the Gulf of Carpentaria.
According to Pobassoo, who provided most information, 60 prows belonging to the Raja of Boni had left Macassar two months earlier with 1,000 men. The fleet was spread along the coast in groups of 5 or 6. Each prow was about 25 tons and carried 20-25 men. Pobassoo's vessel had two small brass guns from the Dutch, while others only had muskets. Every Malay also carried a knife or dagger.
The purpose of their trip was to collect an animal called trepang (sea cucumber), which they had seen on the East Coast and in Caledon Bay. They collected trepang by diving in 3-8 fathoms of water, with divers bringing up 8-10 at a time.
Their preservation method included:
View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 473 / 0392 On February 19, 1803, Pobassoo explained the trepang trade. 125 Dutch pounds of trepang make one picol, and 100 picols make a cargo for a ship. The traders take it to Timor to sell to Chinese buyers. When all ships gather, they return to Macassar. Pobassoo mentioned Timor Laoet, and knew of Coepang, a Dutch settlement on another island.
There are two types of trepang:
The black type was found near the Northern Islands coral reefs, while only the grey type was seen in the Gulf of Carpentaria. Pobassoo had made 6-7 voyages from Macassar to this coast in the past 20 years and was among the first to do so. He had never seen any ships there before. One of their boats was lost the previous year.
The traders sometimes had conflicts with local natives. Pobassoo had been speared in the knee, and another man was recently wounded. They warned about the danger from natives. They didn't know of any European settlements in the area. Pobassoo's son wrote down Port Jackson in his own writing system as "91185012."
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View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 930 / 0245 In Nickerie district, several important events occurred during the period of slavery. Around September 2, September 8, and September 9, three reports were received from the local magistrate:
While the magistrate reported that the spirit among the slave population was generally good, authorities remained skeptical. They warned him to stay vigilant, particularly regarding the slaves at plantations Gloucester, Waterloo, and Nursery, which were considered suspicious.
In other matters, D. Schuurman, Commissioner of the Private East Indies Bank, was granted a 6-month leave extension until mid-January 1858. Additionally, authorities requested information about Wolf Aaron, who reportedly died in St. Eustatius.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 3364 / 0198 According to older residents of St. Eustatius, there was never a Wolf de Haron or Caron Wolff, but there was a Moses Wolff from Wurttemberg. He arrived on the island around 1760 as a clerk for Lazarus Cappa, a Jewish merchant, and later became his business partner. On September 17, 1794, at age 38, Moses married Helena Rolles, stating Bernstoff, Germany as his birthplace. He moved to St. Kitts and later returned to St. Eustatius.
The couple had 10 children, with several still living:
In February 1816, Moses Wolff left for St. Thomas in his small vessel with one of his sons. The ship never arrived and was presumed lost with all hands. His widow and adult son Aaron Wolf were later authorized to handle the estate, but found he had left almost nothing. The family, facing poverty, then moved to St. Thomas, where Aaron Wolf became a respected and wealthy resident.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 982 / 0153 A series of official letters discuss an inquiry about a person named Wolff Haron who died in St. Eustatius. The communication chain began on July 21, 1634 when the Minister of Foreign Affairs requested information about Wolff Haron on behalf of a representative from Württemberg.
The Governor General of the Dutch West Indies Possessions, van Weeckeren, responded from Paramaribo on April 13, 1835, providing three documents:
These communications were all forwarded to the Minister of Colonies on June 30, 1835.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 982 / 0149 On November 13, 1735, the ruler of Macassar requested that their envoys to Batavia handle an inheritance matter. On December 4, the governor sent mountain inspector Johan Andries Bollman to Pannette under the pretense of hunting. Bollman inspected the mountains and submitted a report.
The ruler also requested that the Boni envoys be treated as before and asked for the swift return of their uncle Topas Seraij, who was reportedly taken to Batavia by commissioners from Banjermassing. On October 12, the Boni embassy handed over an inheritance related to a freed slave named Intje, who had lived on Roua Malacca with citizen Fransz and later married someone from Boni before dying in the Bugis region. The inheritance was given to the orphanmasters.
Regarding the Goa court, there were complications with the rebellious Prince Bonto Lancas. On June 22, armed men attacked the widow Hardenberg's brick factory in Glisson.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8207 / 0032 On November 13, 1735, in Macassar, the King informed about spying on rebel activities. The King's interpreters reported on the 27th that they had spied on Bonto Lancas in Parigij, discovering that this wanderer planned to leave for Maros on the 12th during that month's moonlight with his followers. The King requested permission to pursue and eliminate them on Company ground if the journey took place. This request was granted, but with a warning to stay alert to avoid unexpected difficulties. On the 28th, they informed the Maros Commander about these developments so the Company's regents could remain vigilant. During August, Goa's King had been preoccupied and on the 30th requested through his interpreter to meet the governor privately in his garden. Although many previous governors had refused such requests, this was politely declined to prevent malicious interpretations. On September 10, 1733, when the King made another request for a conference with 2 or 3 qualified council members present, it was granted. However, this meeting did not proceed because on the 11th, the King announced a general assembly of state nobles had been scheduled for the following day.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8207 / 0043 On November 13, 1735, in Macassar, officials examined kidnapping victims, including Johanna Gideons. The captives were taken to the wife of Bonte Lancas, who treated them well, providing food, drink, and a place to rest. The next morning, on Boutelancas's orders, they were taken to the village of Bonto Lancas. From there, the second Tomilallang ordered them to be collected and brought to the King. Later, another group was questioned, confirming the previous accounts. Bontelancas had acted more generously than expected in this situation. Officials waited to catch these enterprising troublemakers to punish them appropriately. The King of Goa announced on July 9 that Bontelancas was building a fortress at Lanna, just as in the previous year. The King declared that if this rebel did not remain peaceful, he would personally intervene.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8207 / 0041 On November 13, 1735, a report from Macassar discusses the return of several captive people. Johanna Gideon, a 16-year-old Christian girl, was among those returned, along with:
Johanna Gideon provided her account of what happened. On the 22nd, about 30 armed locals with Badjo Rantees violently took her from her foster mother's house (Widow Hardenberg, who was in the paddy fields at the time). The kidnappers:
They brought her to Parigij and handed her over to Crain Bonto Lancas. He was upset with the kidnappers, asking them why they brought Christian people. When they asked if he wanted them as slaves, Bonto Lancas replied angrily that he would have sent them back immediately if night hadn't fallen. The report mentions that Bonto Lancas had fallen into disgrace at the Goan court.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8207 / 0039 In November 1791, concerns were raised about the behavior of Commander Foekens towards Major Naan from Roemasval, an island under the king of Tidor opposite Cawaij. In June 1791, Major Naan had arrived at Sawaij with two Mahoelies and 16 people, claiming he wanted to submit to the Company.
Sergeant Scholts recognized Naan as someone he had previously seen with the rebel Noekoe, where Naan had used the title of Raja of Roemasval. Commander Foekens then detained him and informed the Governor by letter on July 15. He reported that two of Naan's followers had stolen people in Xulla and the inland of Bouro in 1788, and had helped capture a two-masted boat belonging to Captain Coning and taken its crew prisoner.
On July 1, the Governor approved the arrest of Major Naan and his people, believing that his claim of submission was just a cover for spying. The Governor reasoned that if Naan had truly wanted to be loyal to the Company, he would have sought pardon through the Tidor envoys who had visited Roemasval the previous year. Foekens was ordered to transport these suspicious individuals to the Governor. However, in a letter dated August 10, Foekens reported that he had been unable to send these people as ordered.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 7947 / 0154 A person named Knikker from Ceram brought several kidnapped people to authorities in October 1798. These included:
On November 3, authorities rescued these people from the Ceram trader. The Titawaij native was sent back to his village, and the other three were returned to the king of Bouton as his subjects. This was done to:
The rescue of kidnapped people had been suspended since decisions made on April 18, 1706 and March 27, 1787 to prevent Ceram traders from making it their business. Governor Beth couldn't make the usual Hongi journey in late 1798 because most Hongi boats arrived very late, especially the large Porre Porre from Bonoa, and because of the arrival of the ship Houglij. The available vessels were used instead to:
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 7947 / 0152 In the Diaconate accounts, a total capital of 29,697.26½ rix-dollars is recorded, showing a decrease due to expenses of 473.46½ rix-dollars. Adrian van Horn was chosen as ensign of the citizens to replace the deceased surgeon Fredrik Spieseke. Van Smichl was appointed as ensign of the clerks.
On October 23, the orangkaya (chief) Patti Ambon from the village of Keliakat arrived with church visitor Stranfer and 31 fully armed European soldiers. They came on the Pantjalling Aroe vessel from Banda, as mentioned in the ministers' letter dated October 14.
The head administrator 's Gravezande from Banda sent a report about lost weapons and other goods during the Aroe expedition. The head administrator Smissaert responded to this on November 19, arguing that their government should not bear the costs of goods that were lost while serving Banda.
The ministers also sent information about monthly rations and cost allowances for assistant forest guard Abraham Rozeboom, which amounted to 259.8 rix-dollars per month.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 7947 / 0150 In St. Eustatius on December 8, 1732, a court meeting was held with:
The public prosecutor presented a case about a slave named Tony, who belonged to Hartman Carckson. Tony was suspected of stealing goods from Jacob Robles's shop during the night between December 1 and 2. After an informal confession, the slave was detained on December 6. The prosecutor requested permission to formally question the suspect and gather evidence. The court approved this request and appointed H. Pandt and R. Heijliger as commissioners to begin the investigation at 8 o'clock Monday morning. The document was signed by the attendees and certified by Secretary Herman Brouwer, with Henck Wm Pandt signing as acting secretary.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.05.02 / 86B / 0382 According to a letter dated November 27, 1634 from St. Thomas, responding to Mrs. Waag's inquiry, the writer provides information about his father. His father was an Austrian Empire subject, born around 1755. He received a passport in Kaisersdorf on July 31, 1773 to travel to Prague. He left Amsterdam on December 15, 1779 on the ship "Resolutie" with captain Lambers Jans Waterberg, arriving in St. Eustatius in late February or early March 1780.
He conducted business under the name Lazarus and Wolff, and Cappe Lazarus and Wolff until Rodney conquered the colony. He was then sent to St. Christopher, where he married Rebecca, daughter of Jacob and Catharina Robles, on September 22, 1794.
The father left St. Kitts with his family in 1802 and lived in St. Eustatius until February 1816, when he drowned during a journey. His parents had 16 children, and his brother Sampson Aaron lived in Amsterdam. Following German-Jewish custom at the time, children were named after their father's first name. Since his grandfather was named Aaron, his father was called Wolff Aaron. Upon arrival, he took the family name Moses Wolff.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 982 / 0151 In 1699, Catharina van Beeck, acting on behalf of her brother Nicolas van Beeck (director of the islands of Curacao), requested permission for her brother to conduct private trade. He would pay the usual fees but would not deal in slaves, as this was exclusively reserved for the Company. This request was made to help support his family of 8 children. The matter was referred to the Commissioners for American Affairs for examination and report.
The assembly also dealt with financial matters:
Cargo handler Jacob Belmonto reported that 723 hides had arrived from Curacao on the ship "Wapen van Holland" for merchant Isacq Tartas. The bill of lading mistakenly listed "Serael Tartas" instead of "Isacq Tartas" as the recipient. Belmonto requested the hides be delivered to Isacq Tartas, the rightful owner.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.05.01.02 / 357 / 0042 Francisco de Sousa Pacheco, the Portuguese extraordinary envoy, informed that he would travel to the imperial court in Vienna on February 11, 1698. He was acting on orders from the King of Portugal and Algarve to handle some business matters. He would return to The Hague to continue his duties.
He requested that his household, which he left behind, maintain the same privileges as if he were present. During his absence, Alexander Munio a Costa, the King's agent in Amsterdam, would handle affairs.
On the same date, he requested permission for his personal belongings to be transported through the United Dutch Provinces without paying taxes.
The envoy also noted that for four years, his household had received 8 sacks of flour monthly without issue. However, for the past three months, the tax collector had denied the necessary permit, claiming the amount was too much for the household to consume.
Other events mentioned:
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.01.02 / 11217 / 0234 In Macassar on April 1699, Isaac Alexanders led 50 soldiers to Bonthain to deal with raiders from Garing Lepocasse. The raiders, led by Carre Passeree, had about 350-400 men made up of people from various regions including Macassar, Bonij, and Soping.
Carre Passeree claimed he was acting on orders from Radja Goa and could do whatever he pleased. His raiders stole weapons, horses, buffaloes, and other goods, taking some rice to Bontolonae.
The Bonij forces, estimated at 2,000 men, fought several battles with the raiders. In one battle, Carre Passeree nearly died when his horse was shot dead beneath him, and his son and nephew were killed. This caused such fear among the raiders that they fled during the night in heavy rain to Garing, about 6 miles from Bonthain.
After the raiders fled, the Bonij troops under Aroe Tsjollo (also known as Tello Limpo) took the abandoned goods, including 348 buffaloes and horses. Though Radja Bonij later tried to reclaim these items, he had little success. This confirmed what Admiral Cornelis Speelman had written - that the Bonij people were natural thieves who would steal from both friends and enemies.
Vaandrager Alexanders had to set up checkpoints east and west of Bonthain to prevent the Bonij troops from stealing livestock. Animals could only pass with his official seal as proof of legitimate purchase.
From the village of Garing, 62 people including men, women, and children were captured by the Bonij military commander Crainaganonja.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1623 / 0017 On September 14, 1761, a report was made about crimes committed in the villages of Tagalisa and Loemiti in Amboina.
In Tagalisa, Poleslaleng (a man) and Njaijmoera (a woman) were kidnapped, valued at 240 rijksdaalders. Various goods were also stolen, including:
In Loemiti, several people were murdered or kidnapped:
Property stolen or destroyed in Loemiti included:
The total value of all losses was recorded as 10,625 rijksdaalders.
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