Transcriptions » Recently generated summaries of recognized texts

On May 3, 1760, concerns were raised about the growing power and influence of the Wajorese people in Macassar. The Wajorese had become feared among the local population. For the past 19 years, there had been an uneasy balance of power as long as the Wajorese remained independent without forming new alliances. The situation became tense when local rulers (except for Pamana) began claiming the village of Timoerong. If the Wajorese were to ally with their old friends the Macassarese, it would upset the balance of power. This might lead to a costly but necessary war to restore the Dutch East India Company's authority over Celebes. There were rumors that the Wajorese, supported by discontented Bone princes, planned to overthrow the current king of Bone and replace him with Prince Aroe Mampoe. If they then united with Bone and renewed the old agreement of Lamoen Patoea-ri-Timoerong (which previous kings never renewed after Wadjo conquered Bone), it would create difficulties. Admiral and Field Marshal Smout had reported that Wadjo promised to honor the old 1670 contract, except for being called subordinate allies. However, they did not follow this agreement and claimed their land and people had no obligations to the Dutch East India Company, conducting trade freely under their own authority. This was evident from their recent responses to Governor Smout.

On May 20, 1756, from Macassar, a report discussed how the East India Company would rather take possession of certain lands than let them fall into foreign hands or to Boni. The land had been conquered by the Company's forces in 1670. When the king of Soping was present, there was a heated moment where ceremonial items were thrown on the table in protest. Two days after this incident, a meeting took place in the Company's garden where apologies were made, explaining the previous behavior was just for show in front of his people. There were also complaints about the king of Soping's miscalculations. The document warns about being careful with those from Wadjo, referencing a situation from 1739 when Governor Smout got involved in conflict at the urging of the Boni court. The Wadjo people disliked Boni and favored the Macassars. During the latest war, they had planned to remove Aroe Timoenong from the Boni throne and replace him with Daeeng Radja, daughter of Aroe Palacca. This plan nearly succeeded until Aroe Tanette captured the princess and briefly proclaimed himself king of Boni. The document notes that the king's advisors mentioned in Loten's memo had died and were replaced by Aroe Boenie and Aroe Tioempiga, who were described as inexperienced. Prince Pongauwa, the realm's field commander, had left the court in early 1755 to marry the queen of Tanete. The prince had been working against the king, trying to put his sister A. Palacca or others on the throne.

On October 24, 1719, in Macassar, there was a discussion about treaties with the Company. The issue concerned agreements made after Tosara was taken over in 1670, about 49 years earlier. No ruler of Wajoe except Lapalilie had sworn to these contracts. The Queen of Wajoe had taken oaths according to local customs whenever a new Governor-General, President, or Governor was appointed, most recently to Christoffel van Swoll and Governor Sipman.

The rulers of Wajoe requested the Company to reconsider their demands, pointing out that they had always been loyal allies. The Company maintained it could not give up its claims to Wajoe, which it had won through military conquest and significant expense. The high government in Batavia did not want to impose burdens on the Wajoresen people, but rather wanted to change their status from subjects to free allies by removing the words "good and faithful subjects" from the first article of the previous contract.

Despite various arguments and presentations, these discussions were unsuccessful. The local authority claimed that the high officials in Batavia did not understand the situation as well as those present on location. They requested further clarification about the Wajoe situation, taking a list of Wadjoresen kings who had ruled after Lapalilie.

From Macassar on October 22, 1739, we learn about a dispute over alliances. There was confusion about whether Wadjo was an ally of the East India Company, supposedly decided on December 23, 1670. Wadjo denied being an ally, stating that Bonij was the ally instead. This caused the Tellong Botjo friendship to break down.

The Company sent Madjo as a messenger to establish an alliance with Wadjo. A lieutenant and interpreter were sent to confirm this acceptance. Regarding leadership, while the Company recognized Aroe Timoerong as queen of Bonij, she claimed at the Wadjo court to be only Aroe of Timoerong.

The document includes translations of:

• A Buginese text delivered by 6 envoys from Tellong Botjo on May 14 in the presence of representatives from Bonij and Goa
• A Malay letter from King Abdus Rachoaan and nobles of Tambora to Governor Adriaan Hendrik Smout of Castle Rotterdam in Macassar

The Tambora letter acknowledges receipt of the governor's message on Sunday morning at 8:00 in the month of Rabiul Awas. The king promised to send envoys, men, and weapons once the white water subsides. This was written in Tambora on Sunday afternoon at 5:00 in the month of Rabius Achir, 1852.

Another acknowledgment came from King Abdus Cahar and nobles of Dompo, confirming receipt on Thursday the 25th of a letter written in Castle Rotterdam at Macassar on Tuesday, May 22, 1739.

On June 25, 1739, representatives from Tellong presented a letter to the Dutch East India Company in Macassar. The letter discussed a dispute about whether Wadjou was an ally of the Company. According to a supposed agreement from December 23, 1670, Wadjou was meant to be an ally, but Wadjou denied this, stating that only Bonij was an ally of the Company.

The letter explained that Bonij had caused the friendship between the Company and Tellong to break down. The Company had sent a messenger named Madjo to express their desire for an alliance with Wadjou. A lieutenant and interpreter were sent to confirm this arrangement.

There was also confusion about leadership roles. While the Company recognized Aroe Timoerong as Queen of Bonij, she had stated at the Wadjou court that she was only the ruler of Timoerong, not the Queen of Bonij.

The document was certified by Secretary Willem Van Duijvenvoorde and addressed to Governor Adriaan Hendrik Smout of Celebes. A commission regarding the small kingdom of Tello was conducted with an escort of 14 cavalry soldiers.

On June 23, 1739, in Macassar, 6 ambassadors from the Tellong kingdom presented a translated Buginese document to the Dutch East India Company. The document addressed a dispute about whether Wadjo was an ally of the Company. According to an agreement from December 23, 1670, Wadjo was supposed to be allied with the Company, but Wadjo now denied this, saying that only Bonij was an ally.

The document explains that Bonij was responsible for breaking the friendship with both the Tellong kingdom and the Company. The Company had sent a messenger named Madjo to express their desire for an alliance with Wadjo and their trust in them. The Company agreed that each party would have authority over their own territory.

Lieutenant van Duijvenvoorde was sent as proof of accepting these terms. There was also a dispute about Aroe Timoerong, who the Company recognized as Queen of Bonij, but who had told the court of Wadjo that she was only the Aroe (ruler) of Simoerang. The document was signed by Willem van Duijvenvoorde as Secretary and addressed to Governor Adriaan Hendrik Smout of Celebes.

In Ternate, on June 26, 1894, De Kam Hok, a 48-year-old Chinese merchant testified about his dealings with Captain Carpenter. He had known Carpenter for about 10 years and had traded with him for over a year when Carpenter was captain of the steamship Mariaban. Carpenter had been arrested in Ternate and asked De Kam Hok for a loan of 700 florins to pay for a passenger's passage. The merchant declined without guarantees.

Later documents reveal that on June 22, 1894, Dr. Abraham Johan Olivier, a 35-year-old medical officer stationed in Kota Raja, testified about the Costa Rica Packet whaling vessel. He had served in Ternate from April 1891 to March 1893. He confirmed that on November 1, 1891, Captain Carpenter arrived and was arrested, then transferred to Macassar. Dr. Olivier treated crew members occasionally, with most cases being minor ailments. Carpenter returned around April 22-24, 1892 and was treated for muscle rheumatism until April 30, 1892.

• During Carpenter's absence, Dr. Olivier made only two ship visits (December 27, 1891 and January 3, 1892)
• The crew's medical issues were not severe, though some suffered from malaria due to drinking and sleeping outdoors
• The ship had very limited medical supplies when it arrived in Ternate
• Crew members often sold their salted meat to buy strong drinks

In Ternate, Carpenter initially served as a merchant in Singapore with branches in Ternate and Ambon. After selling his business, he established himself in Sydney and worked for Burns Philps and Company as a whaler. His vessel, the Costa Rica Packet, regularly fished in the Moluccan Sea.

On November 2, 1891, the ship arrived in Ternate. Carpenter was arrested and sent to Macassar on November 6 aboard the steamship Coen, under escort of bailiff Dousée. He arrived in Macassar by November 13, 1891.

During his 5-day imprisonment in Ternate, Carpenter was treated well. He was given separate quarters with his son, furnished with iron beds, tables, chairs, and a washbasin. His meals were provided by the Resident and Secretary Sedee.

After his release in Macassar, instead of returning to Ternate, Carpenter went to Australia via Singapore to protest against the Dutch-Indian Government. He finally returned to Ternate in mid-April 1892, where he had to sell boats and equipment to pay his crew's expenses. The ship then went to Singapore where it was sold, as it was old and repairs would have been too expensive.

According to the second officer Louns, a good whaling season could earn between 80,000 to 90,000 florins. Had Carpenter returned to Ternate immediately after his release in late November or early December 1891, he could have recovered his losses and made a reasonable profit.

In the early 1880s, Captain Carpenter of the British ship Costa Rica Packet was accused of theft near Boeroe Island. According to photographer Rimestad, around one month earlier, the ship found an abandoned small schooner. Carpenter ordered the cargo of gin, arak, brandy, sugar and oil to be transferred to his ship and then had the schooner sunk. The cargo containers had markings from "H. Preiser" of Amboina. The incident was reported to authorities by:

• Two Chinese merchants who complained about Carpenter selling them arak instead of gin
• Rimestad, who had joined hoping to photograph gold mines but ended up doing whale watching
• Lieutenant Swarthoff who informed Preiser in Ambon

On November 2, 1881, Carpenter was arrested in Ternate by Resident Bendsbach based on orders from Macassar. Carpenter claimed he had reported finding the abandoned vessel to Controller Stormer in Batjan. Though he protested his arrest, he could not afford the 100,000 guilder bail. Before being transported to Macassar, he sold ship supplies for 2,600 guilders to fund crew member Pearson's return to Australia. According to Swijer, a pearl fisher, Carpenter had a reputation as a swindler in Singapore. His brother-in-law Captain Charles Griffin mentioned that Ned Downs had written dismissively about the incident in the Queensland newspaper.

On 28 November 1881, R. Van Diez served as prison warden at Macassar, where he reported having no native military prisoners. The document includes details about prison food rations, specifying portions of beef, chicken, dried meat, rice, salt, vegetables, dried fish, peppers, and petroleum. Fresh beef could be substituted with fresh fish or two salted eggs, but no more than once every four days.

On May 7, 1884, Johan Stormer, an Assistant Resident, appeared before a Justice Officer in Batavia while staying temporarily in Meester Cornelis. He was questioned about Carpenter, a ship captain who was arrested. Carpenter's ship arrived in Batjan harbor carrying rice, petroleum, and other goods. A letter was presented to a Christian village quarter master who spoke Dutch well. Stormer visited Carpenter's vessel, which he believed was a whaler, though Carpenter claimed it carried different cargo. The ship apparently left Batjan for Ambon without proper exit documentation.

In Macassar, several prisoners were held during 1891-1892:

• Bruin, Kramer, and Bekker were European military personnel from Utrecht who entered prison on August 20, 1891. They were sentenced to 4 months imprisonment and fined 5 guilders.
• Prieser and Hompes were spice plantation administrators from Banda who entered prison on March 9, 1891.
• Brants Henricus Ferdinand was a hunter from Bima who entered prison on March 9, 1891.
• Diesterdijk Hendrik Nicolaas, a captain from Ternate, entered prison on October 26, 1891.
• John B. Carpenter entered prison on November 16, 1891.

The prison warden was R. van der Grift, and documents were signed by official Me. Winckel. Some prisoners were denied visitors for over 6 days based on a court decree from March 14, 1891.

Two criminal cases from Macassar in the Dutch East Indies are described:

1. John B. Carpenter, captain of the ship Costa Rica Packet sailing under British flag, was detained on January 16, 1891. The Council of Justice ruled on November 28, 1891 that there was insufficient evidence to continue prosecution and ordered his immediate release unless there were other reasons for detention.

2. Hompes Prie, a 42-year-old property owner from Amboina, was charged with arson. On September 16, 1891, he was found guilty of intentionally starting a fire in a building that could have endangered lives. Taking into account mitigating circumstances, he was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment. On appeal, the High Court of Dutch East Indies on February 24, 1892 modified the verdict to 5 years imprisonment, finding him guilty of starting a fire that did not endanger lives. His appeal for clemency on March 22, 1892 was rejected by the Governor-General on May 9, 1892. A subsequent request on June 16, 1892 to reduce his sentence by the time spent in pre-trial detention was also rejected on August 18, 1892.

• The prison only held those awaiting trial or serving sentences up to 12 months
• Longer sentences were served in Samarang
• Carpenter entered the prison on November 16, 1881 and was released on November 28, 1881
• He received daily medical visits but never reported being ill
• He made no complaints during an inspection by Council President Mr. Verwey and other officials
• The food quality and quantity exceeded legal requirements
• Mr. van Berckel, the Assistant Resident for police, visited the prison only 2-3 times per year

The interrogation reveals details about Carpenter's imprisonment in Macassar. He initially slept on a camp bed, refusing a mattress since he was used to it from his ship. Although he later claimed his bedding was vermin-infested, officials denied this. A European soldier named Kramer with a non-contagious throat condition was placed in Carpenter's room.

Carpenter's cell measured approximately 5 meters by 5 meters, had a wooden ceiling, and received sunlight from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM. The ventilation was adequate through an open door during the day and an iron grating above the door.

• Sanitation consisted of wooden barrels with lids, emptied daily at 4:00 AM
• Seven wells existed in the prison courtyard, with one exclusively for Europeans
• The prison had one room designated for Europeans
• Cells opened at 5:00 AM and closed at 8:00 PM

Regarding meals, Mrs. Lacombe provided food for 2 florins per person daily. Three meals were served:

• 6:00 AM: Bread, butter, coffee
• Noon: Wine, vegetables, fish, meat, eggs
• 5:00 PM: Soup, rice, meat, fish, curry

Carpenter ate prison food for two days before arranging alternative meals through an English merchant, Bernard, who visited him daily with permission from Judge Fromberg. Bernard initially spoke to Carpenter briefly outside his cell, but subsequent meetings occurred in the visitors' room.

On May 15, 1884, Frederik Hendrik van Aasten testified about his time as jailer at the state prison in Macassar. He served from October 1881 to April 1882. He recalled when Australian ship captain John Bolton Carpenter was held there, though he couldn't remember exact dates. The prison had designated rooms for European prisoners. Carpenter was held in the second or third room from the end, which had:

• Two wooden camp beds fixed to the wall
• A table
• A chair

• Iron cots with straw mattresses
• Straw pillows
• Short blankets
• A shared table
• Chairs

In 1883-1884, the state prison in Macassar housed both European and local prisoners. European prisoners received 2 meals per day - at 10:30 AM and 4:00-4:30 PM. They also got coffee and dry bread at 6:00 AM and tea at 3:00 PM. Their meals included:

• Rice
• Fish
• Minced meat
• Vegetables
• Potatoes (Thursdays only)
• 2 bananas daily

Among the European prisoners were Captain Carpenter, Mr. Frieser, Mr. Brantz, and Mr. Abbema. Mr. Abbema was allowed to stay in a separate government-rented house with his wife and child due to illness.

European prisoners' cells included:

• An iron cot with straw mattress and pillow
• Cotton sheet and wool blanket
• Table and chair
• Towel
• Water barrel
• Night bucket
• Oil lamp (used until 9:00 PM)

The cells were cleaned daily with a damp cloth and thoroughly scrubbed weekly. Prisoners had access to their cells from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM. When European prisoners needed to visit the Justice Council, they were escorted by a single guard who followed at a distance. Unlike local prisoners, Europeans were never chained or bound.

The prison warden was Louis Julius Eugene von der Oelsnitz, a 38-year-old retired cavalry sergeant from Geldern, Prussia. He was the only European staff member - all other staff were local inhabitants.

The text describes legal proceedings involving several individuals in colonial Macassar and other Dutch East Indies locations around 1881-1894. Carpenter, an English or Australian ship captain, was detained in the state prison.

Bernard was friends with Carpenter and sent him food while he was imprisoned. The prison had specific rooms for European detainees, with Carpenter sharing his room with a European soldier. At the same time, prisoners Frieser and Brantz were held in an adjacent room.

The prison conditions included:

• Wooden camp beds with straw mattresses, pillows, and blankets
• A clay water jug for drinking water (provided by Mrs. Lacombe)
• Basic furniture including a square wooden table and two chairs
• Basic utensils (glass, towel, fork, spoon - no knife)
• Wooden wash basin and covered wooden bucket for sanitation (cleaned twice daily)

A guard named Mada, a 51-year-old retired soldier, escorted European prisoners between the prison and the Council of Justice. He walked 4-5 steps behind them, carrying a sword and rope, though Europeans were never bound. The room signs were painted by a European prisoner named Metman, who was serving time for horse theft before being transferred to Samarang on January 21, 1888.

• Carpenter contacted Bernard through an officer who delivered a letter asking for legal assistance
• Bernard consulted lawyer Vorstman who agreed to help
• Carpenter was kept in a prison cell with an Indo-European soldier
• Bernard visited Carpenter daily and arranged to send him food as he couldn't eat prison meals
• Carpenter complained about:
  • Having to walk to court instead of being transported by carriage
  • Being guarded by an armed indigenous guard
  • His bail requests being rejected
• After release, Carpenter stayed with Bernard for about 3 weeks
• Carpenter had previously made good money whaling, earning 8,000 pounds sterling in 1888 during a six-month season
• Witnesses Fisher, Howard, and Lopes were brought from Ternate for the case

This is a court testimony about the case of Captain John Bolton Carpenter in Macassar during 1831. He was an Australian ship captain who conducted trade between Singapore and places like Amboina, Banda, Bali and Ampenan.

During his detention, Carpenter was kept in a prison cell with an open door where he sat on a chair. He was guarded by local guards who followed European prisoners at a distance of 13 steps. The prison was about 1000 steps from the Council building, along shaded paths.

According to testimony from Frans Anton Scharpff, who was head of Ledevoer and Company, Carpenter's business reputation was poor. He was known as one of the "pirate captains" who would do any kind of business deals. He even sold rice directly in markets in the Moluccas, which was considered inappropriate for a European.

Robert Vorstman, a 30-year-old lawyer from Rotterdam, served as Carpenter's legal counsel. He visited Carpenter almost daily, sometimes twice a day, in the prison's visitor room. Charles Bernard, a merchant, was also frequently present during these visits.

The testimony indicates that Carpenter was treated civilly during his detention, was in good health, and was seen riding in a carriage on the main promenade of Macassar after his release.

In the document, lawyer R. Vorstman in Macassar is writing on behalf of John B. Carpenter, captain of the Costa Rica Packet sailing under British flag. Carpenter was detained in the state prison in Macassar following a prevention order from the Council of Justice dated January 6, 1891.

Willem Alexander Pout Frederik Lodewijk Winckel, Justice Officer, interviewed Jan Daniel Criek, first officer of the Batavia Company. Criek testified that Carpenter traveled in second class with bailiff Dousee in November 1890. He boarded at Ternate on November 6 and arrived in Macassar on November 16. Three witnesses traveled with him in third class, but Carpenter paid extra for them to travel in second class. The ship's captain was van Linden.

On May 7, 1894, Andries Jansz Voll, a 42-year-old court bailiff, testified that Carpenter spent about 10 days in the state prison in Macassar in November 1891. Voll released Carpenter when the Council found insufficient evidence to pursue the case, delivering this message to him in Malay since he did not speak English.

On November 23, 1891, John Bolton Carpenter, a 14-year-old ship captain from New Haven, Connecticut residing in Sydney, Australia, was detained in the civil prison in Macassar. By November 28, 1891, the Council of Justice had to determine if there were sufficient charges to continue his detention.

The case involved Carpenter allegedly taking possession of fish and merchandise from an abandoned ship at sea. While he later sold some of these goods in Laboeha on the island of Batjan in the Dutch East Indies, the original appropriation occurred in the Moluccan Sea, beyond the three-mile territorial limit.

Since Carpenter was not a resident of the Dutch East Indies, and the alleged theft did not occur within Dutch territory or involve aggravating circumstances, the Council determined there were insufficient grounds to prosecute him under Dutch colonial law. Mr. Vorstman, acting as Carpenter's lawyer, waived the defense preparation period. The Council ordered Carpenter's immediate release from prison on November 28, 1891 at 4:30 PM, carried out by bailiff Andries Jansz. Voll.

On July 15, there was discussion about Dutch business initiatives in transportation. Officials needed to verify if applicants could count on foreign support and if their enterprise would benefit Netherlands Indies interests more than foreign ones.

The British East India Steam Navigation Company had requested to connect through Macassar. The subsidy amount wasn't mentioned, and it wasn't clear if a Java port stop could be negotiated on better terms.

Robinson showed interest in creating a connection between his line and New South Wales and Queensland through Timor Koepang for an annual subsidy of 40,000 to 50,000 pounds. New South Wales and Queensland might contribute 30,000 pounds.

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry reported on April 28, 1865 that the Peninsula and Oriental Steam Navigation Company declined to let their boats serve the route between Point de Galle and Australia with stops at Java.

The British government asked if the Dutch government would negotiate with Queensland about subsidies. Queensland wanted two monthly posts between England and Australia, similar to those between England, India, and China. Steamboats would travel from Ceylon to Sydney via Cape Leeuwin and Melbourne, and from Singapore to Sydney through Torres Strait along Cape York.

The text concludes with a visit by Pixinie, President of the Northern Territory of South Australia, to the President of Timor, discussing:

• Trade conditions in Timor and dependencies
• Possibility of purchasing horses and buffalo
• Migration of natives

In this historical document from Java, several telegraph cable proposals were discussed. Gisborne proposed connections between Calcutta, Penang, Malacca, Singapore, Banca, Java, Makassar, and Australia. The government would decide, after consulting with the contractor, where the telegraph cable would connect to Banca, Java, and Makassar.

Key requirements included:

• The contractor must extend the cable to a nearby government telegraph office
• The contractor must install and maintain equipment at their expense
• Operators must be residents of the Netherlands Indies and subject to local laws
• The government would build and maintain a new telegraph line across northern Java

Several other proposals were made:

• Plotz and Godow requested a 15-year exclusive concession with subsidies for a line via Malacca-Diak and Banyuwangi-Timor-Australia
• Thaaer initially requested a 30-year concession, later reduced to 15 years, for a line via Bangkalis and Kak
• Van Raalte and company first wanted a 20-year exclusive concession
• Diethoff requested a subsidized concession for Singapore-Batavia
• Metcalfe originally requested exclusive 5-year rights for cable landings on Java's west coast