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In June 1684, Dutch officials in Japan received orders related to a meeting with Japanese authorities. The emperor’s representatives, called Commissarissen, demanded honesty from the Dutch, warning that any deception would lead to severe punishment, including forced suicide (seppuku) for Kiemots Samma if he were found lying.

Later that day, two interpreters, Kitsieseijmon and Sinnemon, informed an unnamed Dutch official that he and his colleagues (who had also been involved in earlier discussions) were required to appear before the Commissarissen the next morning. They were unsure why but assumed it was just to see them.

Soon after, Brasman arrived, seemingly surprised, and confirmed the message. He added that Kiemots Samma had sent word from the governor, insisting the Dutch answer the Commissarissen's questions truthfully and completely, without hiding anything. The Dutch doubted whether this was a serious threat but suspected the Japanese already had prepared answers to replace theirs if needed.

On Saturday, June 10, the Dutch group—accompanied by 2 bongiosen (Japanese guards) and their own zedos (assistants)—went to the meeting before noon.

In June 1684, Dutch officials in Nagasaki, Japan, questioned Portuguese traders about their faith and global presence. On June 17, around noon, interpreters Kitsieseij and Rinnemon, along with a scribe, visited the writer’s room on behalf of the commissioners. They asked two main questions:

• Where in the world did the Portuguese live, and which lands did they own?
  • The writer admitted they couldn’t provide a full list but mentioned hearing that some Portuguese lived in Coromandel and Bengal.
  • They also knew the Portuguese had forts and cities in places like Macau, Goa, Mozambique, the Persian Gulf, and Arabia.
  • However, they couldn’t specify how many places, their sizes, or their strength.
  • This information applied only to India; the writer knew nothing about other regions.
• What was the faith of the Tartars, and what was their religion called?
  • The writer confessed they didn’t know exactly but said the Tartars were often called "heathens" in their lands.
  • They believed the Tartars shared many beliefs with the Chinese but couldn’t explain the specifics.
  • The commissioners pressed further, asking if the Tartars worshipped idols. The writer again admitted ignorance but guessed they might worship in a way similar to the Chinese.
  • They added that the Tartars had previously worshipped the sun, stars, fire, earth, and water on Saturdays.

In June 1684, a Dutch trading ship from the Dutch East India Company (VOC) arrived in Nagasaki, Japan, carrying goods from Siam (modern Thailand) and Tonkin (northern Vietnam). The cargo included:

• Textiles: 6,000 pieces of striped gold cloth, fine and coarse elegias (a type of fabric), deeken (blankets), madapollams (plain cotton cloth), tasserse elegias, and alcatijven (a coarse fabric).
• Raw materials: 2,400 buffalo and cow hides, deer skins, elephant tusks, wax, buffalo horns, sappanwood (for red dye), tin, roggevellen (likely a type of animal hide), namrack (possibly rhinoceros horn), borrij (a type of resin), arrack (alcohol), rattan mats, dragon’s blood (a red resin), cinnabar (red mercury sulfide), clove oil, brown sugar, and more alcatijven.
• Luxury goods: Benzoin (a type of incense), agate stones, and pearls from the Mughal Empire.
• Other items: Catechu (a plant extract), coconuts, Maldivian cowries (shell money), frankincense, and red earth (ochre).

The ship also brought goods from Japan itself, including:

• 1,500 pieces of silk satin, pelings (a fabric), roekiens (likely a fabric), velvet, chiouwerons (possibly a type of silk), gielams (damask), gases (silk gauze), baesen (cotton), and rumongijs (a fabric).
• Medicinal and luxury items: Musk root, Chinese toka (a medicinal herb), spiaulter (likely spikenard, a plant), cardamom, rattan, and turpentine.

Between June 13 and 16, 1684, nothing significant was reported by the crew. However, the reports from the Commissioners (VOC officials) were conflicting—many seemed based more on rumors and lies than truth. Because of these inconsistencies, no official account was written, and a final report was delayed until more reliable information could be gathered. This decision was noted on Saturday (exact date unspecified).

In June 1684, Dutch representatives from the Japanese Trading Post in Nagasaki visited the Japanese Commissioners to deliver a formal greeting. The Dutch were asked why they wanted to learn the Japanese language and visit certain places in the country.

The Dutch were secretly warned beforehand to answer any questions carefully and truthfully to avoid suspicion. They were told their answers had to match the letter sent by His Excellency (the Dutch Governor-General) to the Japanese ruler, or there would be serious consequences.

First, the Dutch group visited the home of a respected commissioner named Mattabioia samma, where another official, who lived across the street, was also present. After sitting briefly, Kitsieseijmon, Brasman, and Ottena were called in first, followed by the narrator of the text. The Dutch paid their respects with a traditional Japanese greeting, mentioning the bad weather and wishing the officials long life and good health on behalf of the Japanese ruler.

Next, Bolthon and Obe were also called in, and similar polite words were exchanged. The commissioners then asked about the journey from Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) to Japan and from Japan to Holland, which the Dutch answered honestly.

The officials then asked why the Governor-General had requested in a letter the year before that more Dutch people (specifically, 3) be allowed to stay in Nagasaki.

On 8 June, Dutch officials in Nagasaki, Japan, discussed several issues with local commissioners. Here’s what happened:

• The Dutch asked why goods were still being taxed at a low rate even though prices had gone up. The commissioners replied that such requests were rare and that the low tax rate might have slightly increased prices.
• The Dutch also asked why the Japanese hadn’t learned Dutch to use as interpreters, as there had been communication problems in the past. The commissioners explained that Dutch was difficult to learn and understand, which often led to misunderstandings.
• When asked about other requests not mentioned in the official letter, the commissioners stated that the most important ones were already included.
• The Dutch questioned why goods priced too low weren’t sent back. The commissioners answered that they had always hoped for changes and followed orders from the governor-general and Nagasaki’s governors without question.

The commissioners clarified that these questions weren’t formally planned but came up because the Dutch had visited. They mentioned the main purpose of the discussion would come later. After this, the Dutch were asked to wait in another room, where interpreters and an official named Ottena returned to ask again about complaints over the low tax rates on goods.

On June 13, 1684, a Dutch ship arrived near Nagasaki, Japan. The local governor had previously given them minor additional fees, which they had already addressed through interpreters. However, the Commissioners insisted on hearing their response directly. The Dutch agreed to a small increase in fees, after which they were allowed to leave and returned to their island base.

Later that day, around noon, a hired ship that had arrived from Simonoseki docked near their island. Shortly after, the senior official Matsiamma Coemeiemon arrived to inspect the ship at the water gate of the Bongios warehouse. The Dutch greeted him as usual, and by evening, the unloading was complete. Everything matched the records from their departure in Osaka.

During the unloading, the interpreter Brasman visited and shared news: the interpreters—Kitsies Eijmen and Ottena—had been under pressure since the previous day. The Commissioners had demanded a report on how many Dutch ships had arrived in Japan annually over the past 30 years.

In June 1684, a report was given about Dutch ships arriving in Nagasaki, Japan, over the past 30 years. The report was prepared by Commissarissen (Dutch officials) and confirmed the distances of the lands visited by the Dutch, the goods brought by Coopmansz, and the gifts given by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in both Jeddo (modern Tokyo) and Nagasaki. The officials signed the document to ensure its accuracy, but it was unclear how this information might change trade rules.

On Monday, June 12, a high-ranking Japanese official named Kitsieseijmon brought a Japanese book listing the names and distances of lands where the Dutch traded. He showed it to the Dutch without further explanation. The book included the following details:

• Greenland (as recorded by the Japanese): Located 15,300 Japanese miles from Japan, visited by the Dutch to hunt whales but uninhabited.

This text describes the trade relationships between Japan and various European regions in the 17th century, as recorded by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in June 1636.

• The Seven Provinces of the Netherlands (modern-day Zeeland, Gelderland, Groningen, Overijssel, Utrecht, Friesland, and Holland) were located 12,900 miles from Nagasaki, Japan. They exported:
  • Fine woolen fabrics (like scarlet and black cloth, crown fabrics).
  • Mixed fabrics (stamets, heresays, carasays, armensijns).
  • Various types of baize (a coarse woolen cloth), serge (a twill fabric), and coarse linen.
  • Leggings, pelings (a type of fabric), boeratten (peasant fabrics), and farandines (light fabrics).
  • Velvet, camlet (a fabric of silk and wool), silk damask, gold lace, and ratteen (another coarse fabric).
  • Blood coral, amber, resin, mercury, gilded leather, pedra porca (a type of stone), and coins.
• Norway was 13,500 miles away and supplied:
  • Masts for large ships and other woodwork.
  • Steel and iron.
• Denmark was 13,380 miles away and provided:
  • Rope, cannons, beams, anchors, copper, iron, and hemp.
• Muscovy (Russia) was 14,100 miles away and exported:
  • Grain, Muscovy glass (a type of glassware), amber, and various animal furs.
• Poland was 13,650 miles away and sent:
  • Grain, amber, and various animal furs.
• Germany was 13,140 miles away and traded:
  • Grain, wine, gold, silver, buffalo leather, crystal, and mercury.
• Sweden was 13,380 miles away and supplied:
  • Copper, iron, cannons, anchors, woodwork, hemp, rope, pitch (tar), and bezoar stones (a type of stone once used in medicine).

In 1684, a Dutch trading company documented a list of goods transported between various regions. The records show the types of items traded and the approximate distances involved:

• The company traded goods to Nagasaki, Japan, covering a distance of 13,700 miles. Items included:
  • Precious and semi-precious stones like agate and crystal.
  • Glass products such as glass beads, mirrors, and magnifying glasses.
  • Writing materials like pencils and ink horns.
  • Wood products including snakewood and sail-stones.
  • Needles, tortoiseshell items, and Moscow glass.
  • Telescopes, eyeglasses, and fine glassware.
  • Decorative items like lacework, paintings, and armor (helmets, breastplates).
  • Metals such as steel and brass, including brass lanterns.
  • Muskets, amber crafts, clocks, and Spanish leather.
  • Food and dyes like olives, olive oil, blue dye, and dragon’s blood resin.
  • Various wines from France (covering 12,810 miles).
• From Turkey, covering 11,280 miles, the company imported:
  • Silk fabrics, linen, wool, and gold lace.
• From Guinea (8,400 miles away), the goods included:
  • Gold, white and black sugar, elephant tusks, and leather.
  • Various birds.
• From Brazil (7,500 miles away), the company received:
  • Ebony wood, woodcrafts, ginger, tobacco, and dyes.
  • White and black sugar.
• From the Cape of Good Hope (6,300 miles away), the goods included:
  • Ostriches and other birds, rhinoceros, tigers, and turkeys.
  • Wild goats (referred to as "Turkey bucks").

In 1684, a report from Japan described several key trading locations under the Dutch East India Company (VOC):

• The island of Madagascar (about 5,100 miles away) was mostly uninhabited but rich in resources like ebony wood, various fruits, and wild animals such as deer, cows, and wild boars, which were useful for hunters.
• Jakarta (called Batavia by the Dutch, about 2,400 miles away) was governed by the Governor-General and served as a major trading hub. It supplied goods like cloves, nutmeg, pepper, betel nuts, wax, Borneo camphor, eaglewood, sandalwood, rattan, benzoin, cowhides, buffalo hides, deer skins, textiles, cotton, iron, pigs, monkeys, civet cats, and tobacco. Many of these goods were stored in warehouses in Batavia before being shipped to Japan.
• The island of Sumatra (about 2,400 miles away) produced gold, sulfur, loadstones, rattan, and tortoiseshells.
• The island of Borneo (about 3,900 miles away) was known for loadstones, diamonds, rattan, and camphor.
• The island of Amboina (about 3,900 miles away) provided cloves, nutmeg, mace, eaglewood, casuarina trees, various parrots, birds of paradise, and pepper.

In 1680, the Dutch East India Company (VOC) recorded a trade summary of goods imported from various Asian regions to Nagasaki, Japan. The distances listed are in Dutch miles (1 Dutch mile ≈ 7.4 km).

• From Banda Islands (1680 miles away):
  • Eaglewood (a fragrant wood)
  • Pepper
  • Nutmeg
  • Cloves
  • Sandalwood
  • Low-quality textiles (billij)
  • Tobacco
  • Various lightweight fabrics (loerijs)
• From Ternate (3890 miles away):
  • Banda wood (likely another type of fragrant wood)
  • Low-quality textiles (belillij)
  • Eaglewood
  • Nutmeg
  • Cloves
• From Seram (Cheram) (3870 miles away):
  • Sandalwood
  • Birds of paradise (feathers or whole)
  • Various lightweight fabrics (loerijs belillij)
  • Nutmeg
  • Tobacco
  • Pepper
  • Casuarina wood (a type of tree)
• From Timor (3850 miles away):
  • Timor cloves (Tinior nagelen)
  • Pepper
  • Nutmeg
  • Eaglewood
  • Tobacco
  • Various lightweight fabrics (loerijs)
• From Macassar (Makassar) (3300 miles away):
  • Gold
  • Sandalwood
  • Rice
  • Tobacco
• From Malacca (1740 miles away):
  • Tin
  • Porcelain stoneware (pedra porca)
  • Pepper
  • Bird nests (likely edible swiftlet nests)
  • Rice
  • Various animal products (beestiael)
• From Pegu (in modern Myanmar, 2640 miles away):
  • Amber (namrack)
  • Camphor (spiaulter)
  • Elephant tusks (ivory)
  • Chinese porcelain (Caet Chio)
  • Rice
• From Arracan (modern Rakhine State, Myanmar, 2940 miles away):
  • Gold
  • Rice
  • Wax
  • Hemp or cotton cloth (kennip)
  • Elephant tusks (ivory)
  • Earthenware (tonwerck)
• From Bengal (3300 miles away):
  • Bengal silk
  • Thin silk fabrics (taffachelas)
  • Striped cotton cloth (gingam)
  • Silk fabrics
  • Crimson silk (armosijnen)
  • Calico cloth (regattijs)
  • Fine muslin (elegias pat therij)
  • Silk handkerchiefs (podesoijen)

In 1684, additional goods were documented as arriving in Nagasaki from other regions:

• From Coromandel Coast (3000 miles away):
  • Various cotton garments (lijwaten)
  • Thin silk fabrics (taffachelas)
  • Fine white cotton (sestimes percallen)
  • Striped cotton fabrics (salempoeris)
  • Saltpeter (for gunpowder)
  • Deerskins
  • Diamonds
  • Fine muslin (tesserse clegias)
  • Plain striped cotton (gingams)
  • Gold-printed chintz (chitsen)
  • Similar fabrics for Muslim markets (sarassen)
• From Ceylon (Sri Lanka) (3000 miles away):
  • Cinnamon
  • Lac (a resin, rack)
  • Elephant tusks (ivory)
  • Buffalo horns
  • Cowhides
  • Coconut fiber (cokus)
  • Maldivian pepper
• From Malabar Coast (3750 miles away):
  • Cardamom
  • Snake wood
  • Rice
  • Precious stones
  • Snake stones (likely a type of gem or mythical item)
  • Musk
  • Cats
  • Shields
  • Antimony (a metal used in medicine and warfare, annetotrietie van Oorlogh)
• From Persia (5100 miles away):
  • Gold fabrics
  • Silk brocade (alcatijven)
  • Silk
  • Prepared leather
  • Horses
  • Almonds
  • A type of resin or gum (mera)
  • Frankincense (wierrook)
  • Licorice root (soethout)
  • Precious stones
  • Rosewater
  • Sheep
  • Raisins
  • Currants (kismis)
  • Various wines
• From Surat (4500 miles away):
  • Thin silk fabrics (taffachetas)
  • Striped cotton (gingam)
  • Light cotton fabrics (salempoeris)
  • Plain white cotton (percallen)
  • Striped fabrics
  • Guinea cloth (a type of cotton, guinees lijwaet)
  • Decorative fabrics (bethilles)
  • Chintz (Chitsen)
  • Plain striped cotton (gingams)
  • Saltpetered cotton (salpocado gingam)

In 1673, Dutch trading ships were active in Siam (modern-day Thailand) and Cambodia to gather goods for trade with Japan and Batavia (modern-day Jakarta).

• The ship Vleerdingen and the fluyt Pegu were loaded with rice, sapanwood (a type of dyewood), and oil, destined for Batavia.
• The yacht Bloemendael, arriving from Ligor, was sent back to Malacca with:
  • 22 lasten (a Dutch unit of weight, roughly 2 metric tons each) of rice,
  • 1,196 pots of clove oil,
  • 210 planks, and
  • 156.25 catti (an Asian unit of weight, roughly 0.6 kg each) of eaglewood (agnilhout cabessa).
• The fluyt Westwout followed later with an additional 30 lasten of rice, intended for Bengal.

The Dutch resident (representative) in Siam hoped these shipments would meet the demands from Japan and Batavia without needing to borrow more money, as the high interest rates were problematic. The leaders in Nagasaki had requested the following goods from Siam for the upcoming season:

• 1,000 cowhides,
• as many deerskins as possible (preferably 1,500),
• 1500 picol (another weight unit, roughly 60 kg each) of sapanwood,
• 60 picol of elephant tusks,
• 10 picol of wax, and
• some small items.

Many of these goods were already in stock in Siam, including 10,000 deerskins, 2,600 cowhides, and 2,500 catti of elephant tusks, suggesting the requests could be fulfilled.

The King of Siam asked the Dutch, through their resident, to send:

• an expert cannon founder,
• a constable (a military or police officer), and
• a painter.

The Dutch expected to see the ships Vleerdingen and Pegu again soon.

In a previous season, the Dutch had sent a mission to Cambodia and signed a new trade agreement with its king, securing favorable terms. On March 10, the yacht Zeehoudt arrived from Cambodia with 1,172 picol of sapanwood. The merchant Jan de Meijer brought the original signed contract, while merchant Pieter Ketting and 19 other Dutchmen stayed in Cambodia to manage the trading post. Chinese merchants had strongly opposed the Dutch trade privileges granted in the contract, causing difficulties for Jan de Meijer in getting the king’s signature.

• On May 17, 1680, a ship called Queen’s Yacht sailed from Siam to Japan carrying elephant tusks, hunting buffalo horns, sugar, rice, and coarse fabrics.
• On May 22, 1680, 2 junks (small ships) left for Japan with rice, clothes, and raw materials.
• On May 23, 1680, a bark (small sailing ship) sailed to Ligor with rice, salt, and indigo from Cambodia.
• On May 26, 1680, 2 junks from the king and queen, newly built, sailed to Japan with a similar load as the queen’s ship from May 17.
• On May 28, 1680, a junk sailed to Pontiamas with rice and local clothes.
• On May 29, 1680, a junk sailed to Japan with namracq (a type of fabric), elephant tusks, black sugar, buffalo horns, rice, and coarse fabrics.
• On the same day, another junk sailed to Canton with a load of areca (a type of nut).
• On May 27, 1680, a junk belonging to a local official sailed to Tazoon with an unknown load.
• On June 2, 1680, a company ship called De Veluwe sailed to Japan.
• 3 ships sailed to Macau with sappanwood (a type of dyewood) and areca.
• On June 27, 1680, 2 ships sailed to Manila with fabrics, local clothes, saltpeter (a chemical), and 2 elephants as gifts for the governor.
• On September 4, 1680, a galley (a type of ship) sailed to Chiampa with local fabrics.
• On September 21, 1680, an English ship called a "chialoupje" (small boat), owned by a free merchant named Mr. Lampton, sailed to Malacca with local and Surat fabrics, salt, indigo, and 1 or 2 pieces of silk.
• Between August and July 1680, a total of 63 ships, junks, and boats left Siam.
• On November 23, 1679, a swan ship (a type of Dutch ship) sailed from Cambodia without any load.
• On December 1, 1679, a company ship and an English ship sailed from Bantham with various lacquerware, Surat fabrics, and chest fabrics.
• On December 9, 1679, 2 ships from Masulipatnam arrived in Tanasserij loaded with fabrics.
• On January 28, 1680, 4 private English ships sailed to Canasserij with some fabrics.
• On February 4, 1680, a junk with silver and craftwork sailed from Cambodia.
• On February 18, 1680, 2 junks from the king sailed with a load of copper, gold, silver, and lacquerware, following advice from Japan.
• On February 26, 1680, a junk belonging to Siam sailed to Canton without any load.
• On March 10, 1680, 2 barks with fabrics from Bengal sailed from Pipli.
• On March 14, 1680, a Portuguese ship and a local ship sailed from Cambodia without any load.
• On April 2, 1680, 2 junks, one belonging to Siam, sailed from Aymuij and Canton without any load.
• On April 11, 1680, 2 ships sailed from Macau with some silk goods, quitasols (parasols), and small trade items.
• On April 13, 1680, a junk sailed from Chiampa with wine and calmbacq (a type of fabric).
• On April 15, 1680, a war galley from the king sailed from Ligor.
• On February 13, 1680, the total value of goods transported was 1,020.
• Between February and April 1680, 22 ships arrived in Siam.

In 1827, a report from Siam on October 26 discussed trade preparations for Japan. The Dutch East India Company (VOC) planned its shipments carefully to avoid sending unwanted goods, like ivory, since demand in Japan changed yearly. If goods arrived too late or were unnecessary, the company risked financial loss. The report noted that the company already had in stock:

• 4,000 deer hides of various types
• 1,500 cow hides

They promised to gather more hides quickly to meet demand. On October 26, 1828, another report listed goods traded in Siam since the office reopened. These included items bought for cash or bartered, with advances (pre-payments) noted. The goods and their advances were:

• 2,213 pounds of formiljoen (a type of dye) – advance: ₿3,318/3/4
• 528 pounds of cloves – advance: ₿1,183/4/-
• 107 pounds of mace – advance: ₿225/15/-
• 88 pounds of nutmeg – advance: ₿410/11/4
• 4,905 pieces of red cotton cloth – advance: ₿5,188/14/11
• 200 packets of gold leaf – advance: ₿733/13/-
• 344¾ pounds of mercury – advance: ₿543/10/-
• 400 pieces of Gunees cloth – advance: ₿1,731/3/-
• 252 pieces of red bed covers – advance: ₿1,186/10/-
• 400 pairs of red trousers – advance: ₿1,601/10/-
• 1,360 pieces of bleached bed covers – advance: ₿2,503/1/-
• 2,240 pieces of bleached trousers – advance: ₿5,834/16/-
• 1,280 pieces of red chuist chelas (a type of cloth) – advance: ₿1,946/18/3
• 800 pieces of tapi rammerat (a fabric) – advance: ₿2,701/16/8
• 100 pairs of cattawbanij talponij (a garment) – advance: ₿655/19/10
• 425 black hats – advance: ₿1,426/15/4
• 960 pieces of another item – advance: ₿242/12/8
• 242¼ ell (a length measure) of crimson red fabric – advance: ₿78/-/-
• 33¾ ell of green fabric – advance: ₿350/-/-
• 33¾ ell of gray fabric – advance: ₿155/13/12
• Japanese silver for an advance of ₿2,447/8/12
• 1 box of Persian rosewater – advance: ₿52/-/-
• An over-shipment of shellac (a resin) was also noted.

The total advance for these goods over roughly a year was ₿35,233/10/13. After subtracting costs like civil expenses and interest (₿13,796/11/10), the net amount advanced in 12 months was ₿21,436/19/3. In just 6 months, the total was ₿ The text cuts off before the final 6-month total is given. The summary above includes all available details from the provided text. No additional information or assumptions were made. The names of goods are kept as in the original, with unclear terms left untranslated. All monetary values are in the original currency (guilder, denoted by ₿).

This inventory lists valuable jewelry and religious items, likely from a wealthy family's estate in the Dutch Golden Age. The items include:

• Gold and silver hairpins: 4 large, 4 small, and 4 even smaller.
• Gold and silver chains:
  • 1 gold chain with three loops.
  • 2 gold chain necklaces.
  • 1 gold chain with intricate openwork design.
• Gold items:
  • 6 pairs of small gold boat-shaped buttons.
  • 2 rosaries with ash-colored beads.
  • 3 rosaries with pearls.
  • 10 women's chest rosary buttons.
  • 15 rings with stones.
  • 3 rings without stones.
  • 10 rings made of tamboc (a type of gold alloy).
  • 2 rosaries, one solid gold, one hollow.
  • 4 amber bracelets with gold inlays.
  • 1 gold necklace with pearls.
  • 1 gold ring with a stone and elephant tusk inlay.
  • 2 rings.
• Inherited items from Grandmother Anthonica:
  • 3 gold chains with looped designs.
  • 1 rosary with a gold lieve vrouw (small religious figure of the Virgin Mary) and ash-colored beads.
  • 2 gold crabs (likely decorative brooches or clasps).
  • 2 buttons.
  • 1 chest jewel with a rose-design gold chain and pearls.
• Inherited items from Grandmother Andreza:
  • 1 gold religious item (misterium).
  • 1 ring.
  • 1 chest jewel with a two-loop chain.
  • 1 chest jewel with a single-loop chain.
  • 1 chest jewel with pearl strings.
  • 1 gold lieve vrouw surrounded by pearls on a gold-beaded string.
  • 1 gold lieve vrouw with pearl hangings.
• Pearl and gemstone items:
  • 1 necklace of pearls and ruby-like stones.
  • 5 snake-like chains with relics.
  • 4 snake-like chains with rosary relics (pawned by Salvador Lobo).
  • Pearl roses and small earrings with stones.
• Earrings and decorative items:
  • 4 earrings with diamonds.
  • Earrings with pearls.
  • 4 gold earrings with pearls.
  • 12 gold crabs (brooches or clasps).
  • 4 gold earrings.
  • 8 gold earrings.
  • 8 gold items (unspecified).
  • 2 jet (black gemstone) necklaces.
  • 15 jet items (unspecified).
  • 3 jet earrings.
  • 1 jet item (unspecified).
  • 1 jet ring.
  • 2 jet earrings.
  • 1 jet item (unspecified).
  • 5 jet necklaces.
  • 2 jet bangles.

• On 30 April 1687, a list of valuable items was recorded at Cape of Good Hope (Cabo), including:
  • 2 pierced containers with lids
  • 2 combs
  • 1 small jug with its lid
  • 1 jug with a spout
  • 17 ingots (bars of metal)
  • 1 filigree (decorative) medicine box
  • 1 small case
  • Broken silver pieces and chest fittings, including a worn-out teapot
  • Total weight: 33 and 3/8 pounds of gold, 79 and 3/4 pounds of silver
  • Additional packed items: a gold cross with 8 diamonds, a sealed document, a tea bottle with 7 pounds 6 ounces of spoiled musk, 29 ounces of gray amber, a small case, and a silver filigree snuffbox with beads.
• At Castle of Good Hope on 5 April 1687, under H. Kruse and C.P. Linnesen Melchior, a registry of papers was sent by the Honorable Commander and Council at the Cape to Batavia via the ships Bantam and Goudestein. The list included:
  • Original letter from the Commander and Council, dated 7 May 1687.
  • 2 copies of the same letter, sent via the ship Ridderschap van Holland on 30 May 1687.
  • Invoice and receipt for 10,909 guilders, 1 stuiver, and 4 pennies, loaded onto the Bantam.
  • Petition from Batavia for the Cape Command.
  • Extract from the Council of Justice minutes on 6 May 1687, regarding gold and silver brought by Lieutenant O. Bergh.
  • Receipt for 24 enslaved people loaded onto the Bantam.
  • Receipt for 25 enslaved people loaded onto the Goudestein.
  • Invoice and receipt for 3 last (units of weight) of rye and 40 small sacks of garden seeds, costing 1,635 (currency not specified).
  • Sealed letter from the exiled Macassarese prince Dam Mangali.
  • Two secret letters for the year 1687.
• On 7 May 1687, the ships Bantam and Goudestein arrived at the Cape. They were to sail to Ceylon with the ships Eenhoorn and Schiebroek for safety against pirates.
  • 200,000 guilders in gold were loaded onto the ships, per orders from the Dutch East India Company (VOC).
  • 200 pounds of "light gold" (likely lower-quality gold) were divided: ¾ on the Eenhoorn and the rest on the Schiebroek.
  • The ships would not wait for the Hoeker Leeuwenberg but depart immediately to avoid pirate threats near Madagascar and the African coast.
• On 7 May 1687, a letter was prepared for Governor-General Joannes Camphuys and the Council of Dutch India in Batavia, sent on 10 August 1687 via the ships Bantam and Goudestein.
  • Mentions the ship Ridderschap leaving on 30 April with earlier letters.
  • Reports that the Leeuwenberg and Saladijnbaai faced strong winds and currents, forcing the Sionen (with 202 people, 3 of whom died) to sail to Ceylon with 26 others. No one was sick upon arrival.

• The text describes clothing rules for certain groups in Bugis and Makassar societies:
  • Lower-status individuals were not allowed to wear yellow or black clothing, specifically the Sihobauri style, which was reserved for nobility and officials.
  • For men, Sihobauri included:
    • A short jacket (zoodbaadje).
    • A cloth wrap (toode breek).
    • A green-trimmed garment.
    • A red headscarf with gold trim.
    • A tatapang (headdress) with gold ornaments.
    • A gold kris (dagger) with a green hilt and gold bands.
  • For women, Sihobauri included:
    • A gold-trimmed bra and wrap.
    • A gold-trimmed dress.
    • A simpolang (hairpiece) with gold ornaments like rante inanila and aambanden Choelot boelot.
    • Bamboo and amber combs.
    • Gold amulets, armbands (in the shape of a scorpion), and beads.
    • A gold headband with 5 (not more) hanging plates (not pure gold).
    • A sibatoe (chest plate) that could not be pure gold unless permitted by the ruler.
    • No gold ankle bands (Cboelo boelo) or specific armbands like boefa.
  • Princes and princesses could wear:
    • A large single-piece waistband (not segmented like others).
    • A gold zoempang (slotted armband) with 7 gold beads per arm.
    • A gold amulet with 4 parts.
    • A gold polbang (collar plate).
    • Gold kawacie (mirror plate), pamoneijang (ring for safekeeping), and a silver or gold pando (weapon sheath).
    • A gold-plated chris (dagger), unless gifted by the ruler.
• Legal and social rules:
  • Violators of clothing rules faced fines payable to local leaders (Reekkewegen or Cochtewegen).
  • Criminal cases:
    • Village heads (kamponghoofden) first handled disputes, escalating to higher courts if needed.
    • The Rijksraad (council) or Vorst (ruler) made final judgments.
    • Fines (doorslag) or oaths could be imposed; only the Vorst could order execution.
    • Nobles could pay compensation (davertaaf) for killing lower-status individuals.
    • If someone of equal status was killed, the killer faced execution.
    • Fines went to the victim or their heirs. Nobles often received lighter punishments.
  • Civil cases:
    • Minor disputes (small debts or low-value items) were settled by village heads.
    • Important cases or appeals went to the Rijksraad or Vorst, who followed adat biara (customary law).
  • Fines for conflicts:
    • Commoners fighting: 4 gulden if insults were exchanged, 8 gulden if dogs were set on each other.
    • Freemen (wealthy/commoners) fighting: 4 gulden for insults, 1 tael (or 8 realen) for physical fights.
    • Princes fighting: 1 tael for insults, 249 tael for physical fights.
    • Insulting a superior required paying compensation for their honor.
    • If someone was injured in a fight, the guilty party paid Sapoe foewo Aokhong (half the value of the fine for personal/injury damages).

The inventory lists valuable and decorative items from a wealthy household, likely from the Dutch Golden Age.

• Art and Decor:
  • A large mirror with a black frame.
  • A landscape painting with bees.
  • Two landscape paintings, one with trees.
  • A painting of a fruit display.
  • Two Italian-style porcelain lamp stands (5 large, 2 medium, 2 large rolling ones).
  • Porcelain items:
    • A large extinguisher (for candles) with a lid and a smaller one.
    • Two large porcelain jugs.
    • Three small porcelain extinguishers with lids.
    • A porcelain wine jug with a silver lid.
    • A porcelain "bosje" (small decorative vase or bouquet holder).
  • A pair of parakeets (likely a decorative item or taxidermy).
  • Two cups with small lids.
  • Two small "commetjens" (likely small bowls or cups).
  • 12 small porcelain cups.
  • Two double porcelain butter dishes with a double butter bowl.
  • Two single porcelain butter dishes.
  • A large table made of ebony and "saccradanen" (likely a type of exotic wood).
  • A smooth "haertyser" (possibly a type of fireplace screen or hearth accessory).
• Items in the Front West Room:
  • An iron chest containing:
    • Three silver candlesticks.
    • A silver snuffbox and its case.
    • A silver warming pan ("confoor").
    • Two large and three small silver salt cellars.
    • A small silver bowl with handles ("kommetje met ooren").
    • A large and two small trays with silver plates.
    • A silver pepper box.
    • A round silver serving tray.
    • An octagonal silver "legat" (likely a type of serving dish or bequest item).
    • 15 silver spoons marked with Bartholomeus Delens' name.
• Jewelry and Personal Items:
  • A testament (likely a will or religious text) with gold fittings and a gold chain.
  • A pair of gold diamond pendant earrings, each with 20 stones.
  • A red diamond brooch with 33 stones and a gold chain.
  • Two large gold diamond table rings (likely signet rings).
  • A gold "hoep ring" (hoop ring, possibly a wedding band).
  • A small gold diamond "klaeuringetje" (likely a mourning or memorial ring).
• Items in a Small Leather Case (inside the iron chest):
  • Two gold signet rings with crests.
  • A gilded small crest of Van Vos (likely a family name).
  • A "barusteene" (possibly carnelian or another semi-precious stone) heart-shaped item with a gold rim.
  • Two gold rings with low-quality stones.
  • Two gold pins ("stiftjens").
  • A pair of shoulder straps ("sjoude strickjens") with small pearls.
  • A woman's small knife with a gold handle.
  • A necklace of amber beads and another of "barusteene" (stone) beads.
• Additional Items:
  • A gold pocket watch ("thorologie") kept with and made for Jan van Peterson.
  • A gold diamond "teckboot" (likely a tobacco box) with 11 stones, also linked to Hans van Peterson and inspected by him.

• On October 30, 1747, a document from Cormandel listed import duties (taxes) on various goods brought into a Dutch trading post. These included:
  • Slaves: 1.20 per person.
  • Textiles like chitsen (cotton cloth), sarassen (a type of fabric): 1½ to 24 per unit.
  • Spices and raw materials:
    • Cardamom, wax, indigo, sandalwood, pepper, lac, and radix china (Chinese roots): 1¼ to 24 per cattij (unit of weight).
    • Raw camphor: 2 per cattij (about 1¾ lb).
    • Thread, cotton, or kapok: 20 to 2 per 24 lb.
    • Lingo (a dye), sal ammoniac, and camphor: 2 to 5 per 24 lb.
    • Silk: 5 to 6 per 24 lb.
    • Sugar (candy and powdered), sulfur, gallnuts, and benzoin: 4 to 20 per bhaar (unit of weight).
    • Lead, iron, nails, steel, saltpeter, and sulfur: taxed per bhaar.
    • Alum and dye roots: 2 per bhaar.
  • Miscellaneous goods:
    • Coconuts, spices, beads, incense, tobacco, bengal catsjolen (Bengal textiles), mats, oils, dried coconut, porcelain, mirrors, swords, civet, ambergris, elephant tusks, and more: 20 per unit.
    • Sailcloth: 2 to 40 per piece.
• Ships and boats had to pay anchoring fees based on size:
  • Ships over 100 lasten (a unit of cargo capacity): 3 per ship.
  • Ships between 50 and 100 lasten: 1½ per ship.
  • Small boats under 50 lasten: 12 per boat.
  • Very small boats under 10 lasten (like fishing boats): 3 per boat.
  • Boats used for loading/unloading goods (even foreign ones): ½ per boat.
• Special rules for certain goods:
  • Goods from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) had to pay half the usual import tax if sold locally.
  • Unsold goods shipped elsewhere from the port were tax-free.
  • Local merchants could bring goods from villages to the city tax-free if:
    • Goods were packed in villages under the supervision of a tax collector.
    • Goods were shipped out the same day.
    • The tax collector had to be present and note the contents for the governor.
  • Goods brought in by sea and sold locally paid import tax. If unsold and re-exported within 4 months, no export tax was charged.
  • Tax collectors could not charge more or less than the set rates.
• For local boats (inlandse vaartuijgen), tax rates were set at 10, 11, or 12 (likely a percentage or fixed fee, though the exact unit is unclear in the text).

This inventory lists a collection of valuable items, clothing, and coins from the past. The items include:

• A variety of gold coins and objects:
  • A small gold coin from Frederick William
  • A small square gold piece with a lamb
  • A gold medal showing a man in armor and a woman
  • A gold-set bloodstone in a rough box
  • A gold ducat (a type of coin)
  • A snuffbox made from elephant claw with amber decorations
  • A box with gold chains
  • A green silk purse with gold embroidery containing:
    • A quadruple (coin worth 4 units)
    • Two Spanish pistoles (gold coins)
    • Half a French pistol (coin)
    • 20 stuivers (small silver coins) and half a gold ducaton (large coin)
• Small bags containing:
  • Beads and caroline (small decorative) beads
  • Jet (a black stone) and amber corals
  • Small horns (likely decorative)
• A drawer with silver coins, including:
  • A riot coin from Amsterdam
  • Two coins from the mines of Anhalt-Bernburg
  • A nootmunt (emergency coin) from Breda
  • Three pieces from Hanover
  • A thick coin from the Dukes of Saxony
  • Two Spanish ducatons (large silver coins)
  • A coin from Queen Elizabeth
  • Half a French rijksdaalder (coin)
  • An English shilling
  • Half a guilder (Dutch coin)
  • Two silver duits (small coins)
  • A sheep schelling (coin)
  • A shooter’s coin from Utrecht
  • A small silver coin with a lily
  • A tin coin from Jacob Bohn
  • A silver coin from the month of May
  • An anniversary coin from the Elector of Palatinate
  • Five sheep and bear-mantle schellings
  • Two English shillings with a French piece worth 8 stuivers
  • A silver clasp in a sewn box
• Silver items for children:
  • Small silver children’s pots
  • A sewn box with 23 pieces of different silver doll accessories
• More gold coins:
  • A gold coin celebrating an inauguration in Breda
  • A small gold coin of Charles the Bold (Duke of Burgundy)
  • A Hungarian ducat from Maria Theresa
  • A silver coin of Charles VI (Holy Roman Emperor)
  • A silver sailor’s schelling
• Fabric and clothing items:
  • A box with old embroidered cushion covers
  • A varnished small case
  • A red cradle blanket with white embroidery
  • A red fur-trimmed cloak
  • A satin shawl
  • A gold citse (fine fabric) blanket
  • A red citse small blanket
  • 5 wool blankets
  • 5 children’s chest wraps
  • 47 Marseille (fine linen) and other children’s caps
  • 16 caps with lace
  • 25 caps without lace
  • 6 cotton and wool knitted chest wraps
  • 18 small drawers
  • 24 belly bands (for infants)
  • 4 swaddling cloths
  • 3 small shirts with a waistband
  • 3 riding bodices (stiff children’s jackets)
  • 8 pairs of gloves
  • 5 pairs of mittens
  • 4 wool and 7 linen little coats
  • 7 dresses
  • 9 pairs of wool and linen socks
  • 2 bodices and 2 chest wraps
  • 3 pairs of sleeves
  • 3 caps
  • 6 handkerchiefs and 6 pairs of sleeves
  • A wool blanket
  • A silk hat

On 17 May 1732, Jan Banda reported the following events and orders:

• On that day, they received 118 pounds of tortoiseshell from Costij (likely a coastal area). The situation there was described as peaceful.
• However, local people were struggling to dive for mother-of-pearl shells, claiming they were lying too deep. This caused great concern.
• Jan Banda strongly recommended that local leaders (orang kaijen and lands grooten) be ordered to push the people to collect these shells. They were told to spare no effort and ensure a yearly supply was gathered and sent to avoid displeasure from the High Indian Government (Dutch colonial authorities in the East Indies).
• Local leaders were also questioned about why, in 1732, they had refused to provide ships and help to Dutch sailors from Van Banda—specifically the patjall: d' kisser, intree, and Chaloup de bierkan—to capture unauthorized traders ("swervers").
• If needed, the leaders were to be reminded in friendly terms that, as allies and subjects of the Dutch East India Company (EComp), they were obligated to help seize these illegal traders. In return, they would receive the captured ships (or a share of them) and two-thirds of the goods found (excluding crew and weapons).
• Additionally, Jan Banda was ordered to oversee not only the already planted coffee, sapodilla, and sassafras trees but also ensure that seeds for jatij wood (likely teak or a similar valuable tree), sent by the High Indian Government that year, were planted as soon as possible.

On 20 June 1729, from Ternate, a report was made about events in November of that year:

• On 23 November, clove trees were transported.
• The second main group of workers was called together, divided into teams, and inspected as before.
• Local people from Goura and Motedjouw were sent to Peerl Vamoer, Schulp, and another location (abbreviated as E:a) to gather information. They returned in the evening but found nothing.

On 1 December (referred to as the "first Tuesday"):

• The second main group of workers was divided into teams and inspected, with 8 people found missing.
• Two locals, Jsneen, Entolo, and Carret, were sent out to gather shells but returned empty-handed as before.

On 2 December (referred to as the "first Wednesday"):

• The first main group of workers did nothing due to heavy rain.
• The second group left their homes and went to a place called Spruit Waij Gafi, where they stayed.
• A bricklayer reported that the Dutch East India Company’s marker (called a pilaar) was completed.
• 6 units (unspecified) were transported, costing 6 (currency unspecified).

On 13 September 1725, a report from Ternate described the difficulties in obtaining two key resources: mother-of-pearl shells and supplies from Manado.

• The Dutch received only basic necessities from Manado, enough for their own use but nothing extra.
• Small, thin, and low-quality mother-of-pearl shells could be found in the region, but local people showed little interest in collecting them.
• Even offering high payments (like 50 rijksdaalders per picol—a weight measurement) failed to motivate the locals to gather more shells.
• A sergeant stationed in Xulla reported that the people of Taljabo also had shells but refused to collect them, despite his efforts.
• After much persuasion, the sergeant managed to obtain just 188 shells, which the locals handed over without accepting payment—likely to avoid future demands.
• As a result, only the 188 mother-of-pearl shells were stored in a chest at the time of the report.