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On October 6, 1715, in Coromandel, a financial document records various transactions and advances. The document was signed by P. V. Burg. A similar document from May 15, 1715 shows advances totaling 5,113 florins and 14 stuivers.

Another document dated August 1715 was signed by Jakob Seloover, showing advances totaling 14,072 florins and 3 stuivers.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1869 / 0431  


On an unknown date in 1700s, there was a land dispute in Ceylon between surgeon Reynier van der Venne and Abraham Mendis. A compromise was made where Van der Venne had to show the boundaries of the land he claimed, following Wenketeragie's previous measurements. If he showed more land than he was entitled to, he would have to pay 25 pagodas to the city's poor.

However, this agreement failed because Van der Venne later admitted he didn't know the exact size of his land. He only wanted to show what he thought belonged to him, while still agreeing to pay the fine if he claimed too much. Mendis insisted on following Wenketeragie's measurements, allowing for a margin of 10 steps more or less. Because of this disagreement, merchant Isack Schoover, who was ready to begin measuring, could not proceed.

The text also mentions a request for:

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1592 / 0302  


On September 7, 1731, a letter from Cormandel discussed trade in Bourampouram. Local merchants were dealing with textile products like Salempoeris, Parcallen, and Dongrijs. The area was under control of the tax collector of Visiapour, not the regent of Gansjang. The tax collector had held up 50 loads of textiles from Bourampouram for a month until he received a gift.

The letter also mentioned that the Jaggre seed supplier had misled Dutch officials, delivering about 3.5 loads less than the 10 that were ordered. The letter included a packet for Bengal and expense records for June that were reviewed on the 23rd and found to be correct.

Regarding foreign relations, the French interpreter was still being held by Hagie Housseen, who demanded a substantial gift in cash and goods before taking any further action.

The assistant Jacob Seloover requested permission to visit his sick mother in Nagapatnam. The officials described him as a young man of poor, disorderly, and offensive behavior, and recommended that he be kept in Nagapatnam and replaced with a more sober person.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 2198 / 0196  


On March 11, 1727, an official spice inspection was conducted at the Dutch trading post in Porto Novo. Joan Henrik Dormieux (bookkeeper) and Jacobus van Wijk (assistant) were ordered by senior merchant and chief Albert van Weede to inspect a sealed container of mace (spice). Arnoldus Oosterhaaren, the bookkeeper and second-in-command, supervised the process. The container was originally sealed in Banda Nassau on March 11, 1723. The inspection revealed:

Both inspectors signed their findings and declared themselves willing to confirm their inspection under oath if necessary.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 2064 / 0585  


In Cormandel on September 17, 1727, officials recorded details about 14 bundles of mace. There was a shortage of 210 3/11 pounds according to two notes and two boards from Banda Nassau dated October 9, 1724, verified by Aldertsz, M.A. Gerardsz, and Jacob Theewalt. The total shortage across 15 bundles was 217⅞ pounds of mace, calculated against an expected 2,310 pounds at 9.3%. Reinier de Vos and P.V.S. van Vrijenes signed this declaration at the Dutch office in Sadraspatnam on November 30, 1726. After de Vos died, on March 29, 1727, van Vrijenes confirmed the declaration under oath before witnesses I. Spits, S. Turnhout, and G. Gouds. Later, Pieter van Someren van Vrijenes and Abraham Seloover, assistants of the East India Company, were assigned from December 24 to examine three bundles of second-grade mace in the Company's warehouses.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 2064 / 0491  


On October 9, 1724, in Banda, a sack of mace was sealed in the presence of M.H. van Gerard and J.S. Thewalt. The sack, numbered 55, was later inspected at the Dutch East India Company's trading post in Sadraspatnam by Gerrit Schreuder (bookkeeper) and Abraham Seloover (assistant). The inspection revealed: After cleaning, they found: The total shortage was 17 1/8 pounds on 154 pounds, representing an 11 percent loss. This declaration was made in Sadraspatnam on December 20, 1727 and sworn under oath on March 3, 1728.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 2084 / 0343  


In Chormandel on September 15, 1708, officials examined Japanese silver coins and bars. Three different types of silver were tested: The document was signed at the accounting office in Mazulip on August 18, 1708 by I. Seloover, Pieter ten Broek, and P. Verrijn, with P. van Burgh verifying the accuracy.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8826 / 0401  


On August 5, 1799, Lieutenant Goverd Cnol sent a letter from Succadana to Commander Rudolphus Goens of the Company's military forces. The letter responded to a message from August 4 requesting their return. Cnol explained that Pangerang Nattadiradja and Ratoe Bagues couldn't leave yet because:

The letter also reported that:

The letter was signed by Govert Cnoll and Lieutenant Manoppo of the Macassars, written from the pancallang (vessel) De Macreel at Matthan.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1626 / 0446  


In June and July 1693, a catamaran (small boat) arrived in Nagapatnam with a letter from Palliacatta. Willem Oosterhaven and Wouter Thomasz requested water containers to be sent to their ship. On June 27, at sunrise, they left Tegenap after receiving water by catamaran. They arrived at Nagapatnam's harbor on July 1 around 10 in the morning. The law officer and fiscal officer came aboard with several boats to bring goods, chests, and furniture ashore.

Learning that Mr. Corte was outside the city at groot Plour, the narrator stayed with Mr. Seloover until permanent housing could be arranged. The narrator found it strange that he and his family were ordered to come from Palliacatta without housing arrangements, especially since several assistants and bookkeepers had Company houses, which was customary for all married employees.

On July 2 at 7:30, the narrator went to greet Mr. Corte at his house. Despite a seemingly polite reception, when asked about housing, Corte said no houses were available. The governor had suggested the narrator stay temporarily with his son-in-law Seloover. The narrator objected, noting he had a large family with 5 children plus married ones, and that it was undignified to stay with others or his children.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1523 / 1484  


In Coromandel on November 26, 1716, several matters were discussed:
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8830 / 0038  


On September 15, 1708, in Coromandel, an analysis was performed of Japanese silver. The document describes three different qualities of silver and their refinement into rupees:

The document was signed at the trading office in Masulipatnam on August 18, 1708 by J. Seloover, P. ten Broek, and P. Verrijn, with Pieter van der Burgh confirming its accuracy.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1761 / 0945  


In Coromandel on August 10, 1717, officials reported on several administrative matters:
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8830 / 0192  


On August 10, 1717, at Coromandel, there were discussions about the purchase of linens. It was impossible to prevent purchases by others. There was doubt about payment for rejected linens from Sadraspatnam. The Company found it difficult to set prices. The officials believed it was better to let go of the trade than burden the Company, as it was impossible to prevent the English and other nations from buying on the coast. The English were getting better cloth and even the Company's rejected goods.

The merchants wouldn't keep the third-grade linens, which were still of good quality, if they weren't allowed to trade them. Officials hoped the order would be changed since it was impossible to implement. They would receive very few cloths while foreign nations, who weren't as particular, would get most of them. The merchants wouldn't sell the lower grades at the Company's prices when they could get more elsewhere.

There was doubt whether van Cloon, the former chief of Sadraspatnam, received 32½ pagodas for each rejected pack, unless he had to deliver them to Madraspatnam. They concluded it might be better to accept that the English would get these goods, as this couldn't be prevented.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8830 / 0193  


The text from Cormandel dated August 18, 1717 describes several administrative and trading matters:
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8830 / 0194  


In Coromandel on August 10, 1717, changes were made in Golconda where 89 rupees were spent to settle claims from Naroba. A water supply document in Silka needed to be obtained, and iron and steel had to be transported to Porto Novo. The city governor showed disrespect to the Nawab and was replaced by another person. The settlement in Golconda of false claims against the Company by former merchant Waroba amounted to 346 1/32 rupees, of which 89 rupees were spent. They finally obtained the water supply document for the lodge there. Care would be taken to prevent such harmful contracts from being passed in the future. Those in Masulipatnam reported good prospects for transporting iron and steel from Cannerauw fort, while the Golconda Souba Moebareschan was nearby, and his eldest son Sahib Iada was stationed near Besuar with considerable forces to: They had already given gifts to the Company's representatives in: However, they would still need to pay tribute to four land tenants through whose districts the iron and steel would need to pass.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8830 / 0195  


On August 10, 1717, in Coromandel, necessary repairs were ordered. In Bimilipatnam, Second Officer Simons was instructed to make payments, including 209 3/8 rixdollars. A small gift worth 10 to 15 pagodas was to be considered.

Officials were granted permission to proceed with repairs as quickly as possible, under the condition that they be carried out economically so that costs would not exceed the value of the iron and steel. The results would be reported to higher authorities once completed.

Essential repairs would be done as required to avoid higher costs. The traders from Datcherom had come forward with new repair requests for the trading post. They were asked to explain their reasons and were instructed not to burden the Company with unnecessary expenses. Similar recommendations were made regarding repairs to the trading post in Golconda.

The chiefs in Masulipatnam were ordered to have Second Officer Simons from Bimilipatnam pay half of the lost cargo and half of the 289 5/8 rixdollars issued to representative Miercasiem, either in cash or as a deduction from his salary. In Palicol, no one was to be exempted from paying head tax.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8830 / 0196  


On August 10, 1717, in Coromandel, rules were established about children entering service. Children born in India or those who came from Europe could only be hired as soldiers or sailors without special permission. The northern Coromandel chief Gerrit Westrenen declared he would continue in his current position rather than be relieved under the proposed conditions, hoping to recover from his chest ailment.

Several officials expressed their gratitude for promotions and appointments:

Some were promoted to merchant positions with a salary of 60 guilders, while others became junior merchants with 40 guilders. One was appointed as an ensign with similar pay.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8830 / 0197  


The text describes administrative changes in Dutch colonial outposts in Coromandel in August 10, 1717. The second-in-command at Palicol, Jan Sweers, died, and Pieter van den Berg was called back from Masulipatnam. Adriaan Plae was sent to take over fiscal and cashier duties. Louis Victor went to Palliacatta to replace merchant Stephanus Versluijs. The following administrative decisions were made: The document also mentions handling sequestered funds of 3,689 paras and 13/4 from executed officials.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8830 / 0198  


On September 10, 1725 in Banda Nassau, Van Campen checked some nutmeg flower (mace) bags in the presence of Anthonij de Bruijn and J.B. Thewalt. The inspection showed a shortage of 96.5 pounds when calculating the expected 1,078 pounds at 9 percent per container. Later, on November 30, 1727 in Sadraspatnam, Gerrit Schreuder and Abraham Seloor witnessed and documented this inspection at the Dutch trading post. On March 3, 1728, Schreuder and Seloor appeared before the council in Sadraspatnam where they:

The document was witnessed by Joanns.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 2084 / 0342  


On October 27, 1731 in Cormandel, Fredrik Elliot (merchant and administrator) and Jean Jacques Japin (junior merchant and warehouse master) met with witnesses. The statement was read aloud in the presence of junior merchant and fiscal officer Galenus Mersen. The witnesses confirmed their previous statement about finding underweight sockels of mace without any changes. They took a solemn oath by raising two fingers of their right hand and saying "So help us God Almighty."

This was done, reviewed, and sworn at the Dutch office in Mazulipatnam on September 21, 1731. It was signed by A. Meer Kerke and G. van Alst, witnessed by Fredrik Elliot and J.J. Zapin, overseen by J. Meersen, and recorded by first clerk W. de Jongh.

On August 31, 1731, assistants Adriaan Meerkerke and Jacob Seloover, both Company employees, appeared before first clerk Wouter de Jongh. They had been assigned to be present at the opening of a sockel of mace that month. They found:

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 2243 / 0150  


In this letter from the Nagapatnam trading post, officials discuss a shipping dispute. When the quartermaster went to check the ship three different times, he declared it could only take 8 packages of taffachelas gingams (textile goods). van Slingeland, the senior merchant, and Seloover, his second-in-command, had given permission for two women to travel on the vessel: the wife of schoolmaster Gijsbert de Goeijer and the widow of deceased soldier Jan Mes. They stress that these passengers and their baggage only boarded after the quartermaster had already made his declaration about cargo capacity.

The officials explain they couldn't have loaded more packages anyway without delaying the ship until the next day, as no more goods were packed yet. They had inspected 9 pieces that day, but due to strong afternoon surf conditions, these could only have been shipped the following morning. According to their letter of September 18, they had 34½ packages ready. Most of these were unpacked on September 17 and 18, with some remaining with the merchants. When the ship Heddemonij arrived, they prepared these remaining packages and sent them along with the others.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1618 / 0055  


On September 17, 1727, an inspection was conducted at the Dutch trading post in Sadraspatnam. The document was signed by P. V. S. Van Vrijenes and A. Seloover, witnessed by Joannes Spits and P. Turnhout, and certified by G. Gouds.

The committee reviewed gift records, construction, and repairs made during the first half of the fiscal year at various outposts. While all were approved, ministers in Northern Cormandel were advised to be more frugal with so-called ordinary repairs, as their construction accounts were higher than those from the first six months of 1725/8.

On Friday, May 23, 1727, after evening prayers, a political meeting was held at Nagapatnam Castle where all members were present. The governor addressed Abigail Spits's requested dismissal.

The document lists various financial records for different trading posts:

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 2064 / 0493  


On September 5, 1709, from Coromandel, Van Noort and Van Campen expressed thanks for their received salaries. Verrijn was released from his position and given the choice to leave or return. Coenraats was appointed in his place as warehouse master. In the same commandery, 8 more were granted payments totaling 3,175 pieces of eight, to be paid at the offices of Palleacatta and Sadraspatnam when the holders presented themselves.

The Mazulipatnam second-in-command Isaak Seloover and the Datcherom chief Appolonius van Schoover and Van Noort were promoted to merchant and junior merchant respectively. They asked to express their humble gratitude for these promotions. Similarly, the bookkeeper and first clerk of Mazulipatnam, Jeronimus van Campen, expressed thanks for his junior merchant salary.

Following the request of Mazulipatnam warehouse master and junior merchant Paulus Verrijn, who cited constant illness, it was decided on July 23 to release him from his duties. He was given the choice to either return to Batavia with wages or wait for another position. Johannes Coenraat, who had previously served on the ship Westhoven and was without active duty, was appointed as the new warehouse master and sent there on the ship Carthago.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 8373 / 0257  


On September 6, 1699, from Palliacatta, B. van Slingelant, J. seloover, N. Cramser, Hans Wolff Pieter Elsevier, D. Hackaert, and J. A. dubbeldaerd wrote about a letter they received on the 4th from St. Thome. The letter, written by Mahomet Sjaffij Chan, claimed that Elsevier was holding money belonging to Mahomet Sjassen and had illegally purchased 2000 pao of goods.

Elsevier responded that he never had any of Sjaffij's money in his possession. He explained that he had legally bought and paid for some goods from their owners. Furthermore, Mahomet Sjaffer actually owed him money for the sale of elephants, horses, and other items, which was common knowledge in Palliacatta. Elsevier believed these accusations were false rumors spread by people who disliked him.

The officials decided to delay their response to Duan's letter until they received further instructions from their superiors regarding their previous letter from August 22.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1618 / 0039  


Around 7 current, the authorities were very concerned about the late delivery of cargo from Isselt. The delay not only caused great financial damage to the Company but also exposed the goods to various risks. Additionally, the monthly wages of the supervisors were becoming quite expensive. For these reasons, when ships were scheduled to depart, it wasn't enough to just have the goods ready for transport. They also needed to ensure that vessels were available at the proper location for transfer. They would sometimes send people to check why shipments weren't moving faster.

If local servants were found responsible for delays, they could be:

The authorities recommended implementing these measures for their paid traders who were responsible for the delays. The head officer planned to do the same with the workers if they didn't stop being slow and improve their performance.

View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1633 / 0320  



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