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Maas Djoijd Nagorne, a resident of Sourbaija, was appointed as Head Regent of Samarang and its associated districts and lands on 8 January 1717. He was nominated by the Governor and Director of Java's northeast coast, Iohannes Robbert van der Burgjh, and approved by the Governor General and the Council of the Indies in Batavia. He replaced his recently deceased uncle, Pangerang Adipattij Soero Dimongollo, and received the title and honorary name of Adipattij.
He solemnly promised in good faith to fulfill and enforce the following conditions during his administration:
- He promised to be loyal and faithful to the Dutch Company, his lawful supreme lord, in governing the regency of Samarang and all its subordinate districts and lands, including Goemoelak, Goenwelak, Tourbaija, Caligawa, Guogol, Tanjong, Lambarawa, and Oeroet Dalam. He would perform his duties for the Company's benefit and its subjects with complete attention, obedience, and dedication, following all orders given to him from time to time, whether from the High Indian Government in Batavia, the Governor and Director of this coast, or whoever might hold authority over Java in the future.
- He promised to appear personally in Batavia whenever required to pay homage and show respect to the Company, his supreme lord, to whom he owed his prosperity.
- The text breaks off mid-sentence regarding relations with inland regents.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0199
On 8 January 1777, from Java's East Coast, Tommongong Manco Coessoemo reported that the newly appointed first Regent of Togal, Radien Tommongong Tjacra Nagara, and the second Regent of Japara, Tommongong Tjitra Soema, had confirmed the acts of alliance that had been made by their predecessors on 12 July 1731 and 16 May 1741.
The widow of the second Japara Regent, who had died the previous autumn, was now present. She was one of the 2 daughters of Pangerang Maas-saik, also known as Aria Mancoenagara. The writer had accepted these daughters from their father with special approval from the High and Noble Lords, as mentioned in letters dated 20 January 1775 and 26 May 1775, and had married them to Regents of the Company. The widow had inherited nothing from herself and very little from her late husband, so she needed to be provided for with everything.
Her father, Pangerang Aria Mancoenagara, was not willing to take back this princess who had been accepted and married out on behalf of the Company. He also had not yet been persuaded to agree to the marriage with Ingebeij Cromo Widjoijd that had been proposed in a separate letter of 11 December 1776, now that this man had become Regent of Lamongang instead of Regent of Japara.
The writer therefore asked the High and Noble Lords for their decision regarding this princess. He respectfully suggested that if the father continued to refuse the mentioned marriage, another man should be proposed for his daughter, namely the current first Regent of Tagal, Radeen Tommongong Tjacka Nogarra, who was still young and unmarried. The writer believed the Pangerang would be more pleased with this match.
The letter was signed by van der Burgh in Samarang on 15 March 1777.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0197
- On 8 January 1717, a consideration was made regarding confessions. According to their statements, both men were made drunk and seduced by Willem Fester. They were ignorant of the sins of Sodom.
- Goedhart had committed these acts 4 times, always after renewed requests from Fester. According to Fester's own confession made in front of Goedhart, neither of them had ever done this with anyone else before or after.
- To reduce the punishment for Jacobus van Boven, a soldier, it was noted that he too had been seduced by Willem Fester without knowing the evil involved in such acts.
- Special consideration was requested for Fredrik Goedhart and Jacobus van Boven because of their youth and ignorance. Goedhart was only 17 years old and Van Boven was not older than 19 to 20 years.
- On 8 January 1717 from Java's East Coast, thanks were offered to the High Lords for their favorable response to a proposal regarding native leaders.
- The proposal concerned appointing Djaijs Nagara as regent of Samarang and its districts, Karta Dirdjo as second regent of Damak, and Cromo Widsoijo as regent of Lamongang.
- The first regent requested permission to use his family name Soero Dimongollo. The second regent of Damak adopted the name Karta Nagorda, and the regent of Lamongang adopted the name Djoijo Dirdje.
- The mentioned regents had properly signed agreements of alliance, which were respectfully presented to the High Lords, along with a similar agreement document signed the previous year by Sinkelsewoes, regent of Sommongong.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0195
On 8 January 1777, a report was sent from Java's East Coast to the high authorities. The Council of Justice of this government had informed the writer about a criminal case. The prosecutor, Nicolaas Alexander van Lelivele, had brought charges against four men who were prisoners.
The accused were:
The first three men were convicted of a serious sexual crime (referred to as Crimen Nefandum). The fourth man, Jacobus van Boven, was convicted of masturbation.
On 21 February of that year, the court had passed sentences. Willem Fester, Jan Oversteeg, and Fredrik Goedhard were sentenced to death. Jacobus van Boven was sentenced to public whipping until he bled and banishment.
The writer felt obligated to submit these documents to the high authorities for approval or possible change of the sentences. He did not believe the convicted men were punished too harshly according to their crimes. The prosecutor's demands were based on God's word, the laws and rights and customs of the fatherland and other civilized peoples, and the judge's ruling itself was also based on these principles.
However, the writer had concerns about carrying out the sentences publicly on Europeans in front of the native population. He hoped the high authorities, known for their humanity and compassion which always went beyond the strictness of the law, might reduce the death sentences for Jan Oversteeg and Fredrik Goedhard, as long as the wrong was prevented and justice was served.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0193
A document arrived from
Java's East Coast on
8 January 1717. It listed the children of the late
Tommongong Soero Dipour, who had been Regent of
Lassum:
- Maas Djoijd Coessoemo, 47 years old, born from a legitimate wife
- Maas Tommongong Soero Dipouro, 34 years old, illegitimate, who was the current Regent of Cassum
- Maas Soemo widjoijo, 26 years old, illegitimate
- Maas winjo Dipoetoo, 20 years old, illegitimate
- Maas Djoijo Diwirjo, 17 years old, illegitimate
- Maas Bakat, 11 years old, illegitimate
- Maas karim, 9 years old, illegitimate
The document also listed the children of the late
Tommongong Soero Diroj, who had been Regent of
Damak:
- Maas Rongo, 32 years old, illegitimate
- Maas Soemo Dipoetro, 26 years old, illegitimate
- Maas Loemo wirdojo, 22 years old, illegitimate
The document was translated in
Samarang on
6 January 1777 by
C. P. Boltze, who worked as translator. The translation carried the seal of
Pepattij Io Goedo.
C. P. Boltze certified that the translation was accurate.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0191
On
6 January 1717, a list was made of the children, daughters, and nephews left behind by
Pangerang Adivattij Soero Dimongolle after he died in
Samarang. The list was provided by the First Deputy
To. Iudo on
8 January 1717 from
Java's East Coast.
The deceased had 9 sons:
- Maas Soumengoreg Soemo Nogara, from Kanbal, 2 years old
- Rabeen Sommargang Soeme Dinip, from Danak, 31 years old
- Maas Anjo Adiradjo, 10 years old
- Maas Sakin, 16 years old
- Maas Sammir, 12 years old
- Maas Sarif, 11 years old
- Maas Agoes, 10 years old
- Maas Tamman, 9.5 years old
- Maas Adie, 1.5 years old
He also had 8 daughters:
- Maas Aojeng, 21 years old, married to Maars Tommongong Tommangong Djoijo Dirono, the second Regent of Sourabaija
- Radeen Aijoe Sumanap, 19.5 years old, married to the Regent of Sumanap
- Raden Aijde Paccalongong, 14.5 years old, married to the Regent of Paccalongang
- Maas Alijab, 11 years old, unmarried
- Maas Kadanijas, 8 years old
- Maas Kadi, 5 years old
- Maas Kaimab, 4 years old
All these children were born from concubines.
The deceased's illegitimate brother was
Maas Jngabij Wirat Madja, 64 years old, who had always lived quietly, never held any position of authority, and stayed among the priests.
The sons of the deceased's earlier deceased brother
Jngabij Soemo Joedo, who had been village head of
Goemoelak, were:
- Maas Jngebij Djaijo Nagara, 49 years old, from a legitimate marriage, and was a village head of Torbaija
- Maas Manto Dipouro, 35 years old, illegitimate
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0189
I. R. v. d. Burgh wrote a letter from Java's east coast on 8 January 1717. He mentioned that Tommongong Tjitro Soema was regent in Japara with the title and name given to him. The authorities had allowed him to propose a suitable person to fill the position in Lamongang.
He thankfully proposed the younger brother of the replaced regent, the Ingebij Cromo wiedjojo. He explained that while some regents on Java were of illegitimate birth, this man was a legitimate son according to the country's customs. His father was Adigattij Tjitao Soema, the former first regent of Japara who had always been loyal to the Company. The proposed candidate was also a brave, watchful and hardworking person.
However, if the authorities did not wish to accept this proposal, van d. Burgh asked permission to propose the Ingelij Soema Dirana as regent of Lamongang instead. This man was a former Bepattij and also guardian of the current second regent in Sourabaija.
He requested that whichever of the two candidates the authorities preferred should be honored with a certificate as Tommongong and given the name they would choose.
The letter was written from Samarang on 8 January 1717. In a postscript, van d. Burgh mentioned that he also included a letter from the emperor and one from the Sultan, both addressed to the authorities.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0187
On
8 January 1717, a report was sent from
Java's East Coast regarding regent appointments. The writer requested that whichever person the authorities chose to favor should be given the title of Adipattij and appointed as Regent of
Samonang and the following areas:
- the coastal villages of Soubaija, goemoelak, and Caligaia
- the newly acquired territories of Gragol and Taijong
- the inland districts of Laimbarawa and veroetdalm, both given to the Company years earlier by the previous Soesehoenang
The writer requested that the trading posts
Carang-pain and
Carang bemoen, which had accidentally come under the control of the deceased Head-Regent but actually belonged to
Damak, be returned to
Damak's regency. The writer asked for permission to transfer these two trading posts to the Regents of
Damak.
With the position of widow-regent over
Damak,
Calinoengo,
candal,
Batang,
pacalongong, and
wieradessa remaining unfilled, there would no longer be any widows of the Company along
Java. The Head-Regent had declared before his death that he had not received or obtained 60 carbines in
Batavia, and the writer reported this in response to the authorities' letter of
11 December 1746 requesting collection and payment.
The Panembahan of
Madura had returned from
Batavia since the writer's report of
24 December. At his request, the writer proposed
Demang wirja Nagaria, the chief Mantrie there, to become roevattij in
Madura to replace the deceased
Radeen poispa Nagara. The writer considered him fully capable, unless he misused the Prince's great trust. The writer would have preferred someone else if another suitable person with the necessary skills could be found in
Madura, but no such person was known there. The testimonies of the Sourabaijs commander of
Niepoort and
Bantallangs Commander
Morgenstern supported this choice, and the writer could not recommend anyone better than
wirja Nagarna.
A general letter from the authorities dated
27 December of the previous year had just arrived the day before, concerning the appointment of
Lamongangs regent
Djaija Pantika as second regent.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0185
Johannes Vos, an extraordinary council member, left behind a report about several young people and children aged 10 to 1.5 years old. Of the two sons mentioned in the report:
- The oldest, Maas Tommongong Primo Nagoraa, Regent of Kandel, was often sickly and generally not well respected or regarded
- The second son, Radeen Tommongong Soemae Dirop, formerly Regent of Batang and first Regent of Damak, who had been married to one of the emperor's sisters but had long been separated from her, appeared better and had more promise for the future. However, he was still too unreliable and too attached to his passions to be trusted with more authority than he already had
Of the daughters, the three oldest were married:
- The first to Maas Tommongong Djoijo Dirons, second Regent of Surabaya
- The second to Pangovang Notto Coessoemo, Regent of Sumanap
- The third to Radeen Adijpattij Jaija Ningrat, Regent of Polalongong, who was the only one among the sons and sons-in-law (though all were present) who indicated he wanted the succession
The only surviving legitimate brother, Maas Ingebij Wirat Midja, was not suitable for this position. Of the nephews, only Maas Djoijo Nagaraa Ingebij of Surabaya could be considered. He was the oldest and only son of the deceased's oldest full brother Ingebij Soenio Poedo, former chief officer at Goemoelak, who had died long ago.
The writer stated that on 8 January 1717 from Java's East Coast, the Chief Regent of Samarang needed to be well respected by other regents and even by princes. He should be a man of insight and judgment who, through knowledge, capability, and vigilance, had enough experience to handle daily matters promptly and courageously. The writer testified that among the sons and other relatives of the late Pangerang Adipattij Soero Dimongollo, no one possessed these qualities as much as Maas Djoijo Nagaraa Ingebij of Surabaya. Therefore, the writer felt obliged to recommend him for the succession as a sensible person, well-regarded by both Europeans and locals according to his status. If the authorities decided to look outside the deceased's family, the writer could suggest no more capable person among all the Company's coastal regents than Adapattij Soera Diningaat, Regent of Pattij, or Sommongong Wirja Dinagara, Regent of Batang, both of whom he knew well.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0183
The Regent of Saman, Sangerang Abdipattij Soero Dimongollo, who was also protector of Damak, Calivoen, Candal Batang, and Pacalongangen, had returned from Batavia feeling unwell. He continued to be sick and died on 3 January from a severe fever. The writer informed the High Nobility of this death and reported that no unusual disturbances had been observed because of it, and no harmful consequences were expected.
From 8 January 1777 onwards, the Regent's duties were being carried out by the Bupati Sudo, under the writer's personal supervision. To prevent conflict between the oldest son and the illegitimate sons (who did not get along) and to protect the interests of the other children, the writer appointed commissioners to make an inventory of the estate:
The estate would then be divided among the heirs according to Muslim law. The deceased had made no arrangements or instructions about either his estate or who should succeed him as Regent.
The writer included a list prepared by Bupati Sudo of the deceased's children, brother, and brother's children. The deceased Regent left behind 9 sons and several daughters, all of whom were illegitimate children. Of these, only 2 sons were of appropriate age.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0181
Secreete Brieven en Bijlagen (secret letters and attachments) were received from Java's east coast. Sangerang Adijpattij Soero Dimongolle, the regent of Saman and its districts, as well as protector of Damak, Caliwvoen, Candal Batang, Paccalongang, and Wienadesse, had returned sick from Batavia. He had been ill since then and died on the 3rd of the month from a severe fever. The writer informed his high authorities of this death and reported that no unusual disturbances were noticed or expected as a result of this event, and no harmful consequences were foreseen. The leadership of the regency was being handled according to instructions.
The following documents were included:
- A copy of instructions from Van der Niepoort dated September 1777
- A copy of instructions for quartermaster Bossotiel
- A notice of fallen servants
- A list of fled, fallen, and captured Javanese people
- A list of village heads who had allied themselves with the rebels
- An extract from a letter written by the governor to commander Van der Niepoort on 25 August 1777
- An extract from a letter from Van der Niepoort to the governor
- A letter written by Van der Niepoort to lieutenant Van Rijke dated 28 August 1777
- A letter from ensign Nobel to Van der Niepoort
- Instructions for ensign Muller going on an expedition to Poelo Soempo
- Instructions for ensign Zzeegel
- A separate letter from the first resident at Soura Carta, Van Stratendorpp, to governor Van den Burgh on 27 August 1777
- An extract from a letter written by the same resident dated 10 September 1777
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0179
- Various letters were exchanged between van Stratendorff (also spelled van Straalendorff) and the Governor.
- Governor van der Burg (also spelled van der Burgh) sent letters to the Djocjocartas region.
- The head official van Rijn in Jocartas sent and received separate letters.
- Governor van der Burgh wrote letters to Their High Mightinesses dated 31 July.
- The first resident in Soerakarta, van Straalendorff, sent a letter to van den Burgh dated 28 July 1777.
- The Governor wrote to the Djoejocartas resident van Rhijn.
- Governor van der Burgh sent a letter to Their High Mightinesses dated 3 August 1777.
- A copy of a letter from the Governor to the commander in the eastern corner, van der Nieuwpoort (also spelled van der Niepoort), was dated 9 August 1777.
- A separate letter from the Governor to Their Worships was dated 9 August.
- Letters were exchanged dated 14 August 1777.
- Governor van der Burgh wrote to the Governor and Director in Makassar, vander Voort, dated 11 August.
- A separate letter from Governor van der Burgh was dated 1 September.
- Lieutenant van Reijck (also spelled van Rijck) wrote to commander van der Niepoort dated 18 August 1777.
- A translated Javanese letter from deputy Nitie Diningrat of Pasuruan to Governor van der Burgh was dated 10 September 1777.
- A Javanese letter from Tumenggung Djoijo Nagara of Probolinggo was received on the same date.
- Lieutenant van Rijck sent copies of letters to the commander dated 1 September.
- A copy of instructions for quartermaster J. Bossotiel was included.
- A notice listed the servants who had been killed.
- A list named the Javanese who had fled, been killed, or been captured.
- A list identified officials who had sided with the rebels.
- An extract from a letter by the Governor to commander van der Niepoort was dated 25 August 1777.
- An extract from a letter by van der Niepoort to the Governor was included.
- A letter from van der Niepoort to Lieutenant van Rijke was dated 28 August 1777.
- A letter from ensign Nobel to van der Reepoort was included.
- Instructions for ensign Muller going on an expedition to Pulo Soempu were provided.
- Instructions for ensign Zzeegel
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0177
- A separate letter copy from Governor van der Burgh to Their High Excellencies dated 8 January 1777, page 1
- A list of family members left behind by Pangerang Adipattij Soero Dimongollo after his death
- A separate letter copy from the same Governor to Their High Excellencies dated 15 March 1777, page 13
- Four loyalty agreements:
- A separate letter copy from the same Governor to Their High Excellencies dated 15 April 1777
- A report copy from the Javanese Bappa Keman and others, page 57
- An extract from a letter from Commander van der Niepoort to van der Burgh dated 9 April 1777
- A letter exchange dated 19 March previously between the same people
- A translated Malay-Javanese letter from King Goeste Moera of Djambij from Balij Badoene to the Commander at Banjoewangie dated 15 March 1777
- A translated Javanese letter copy from Sultan Aming Koeboeana to van der Burgh dated 30 March 1777
- A translated Javanese letter from the Governor to the Sultan at Djoejocarta
- A separate letter copy from Governor van der Burgh to Their High Excellencies dated 2 June 1777, page 75
- A letter copy written by Niepoort to the Commander at Samarang at Banjoewangie dated 16 May 1777, page 81
- A copy listing ships and other items for the expedition against Noespa, page 8
- A separate letter copy from and to the same people dated 18 May, page 81
- Instructions for the Passarouang Commander Adriaan van Rijke, page 9
- Instructions for the ordinary fireworks specialist Wijd Camp, page 10
- An extract from a patriotic letter from the chief van Rhijn to van der Burgh dated 22 May 1777, page 111
- A translated letter copy written by van der Burgh to Pangerang Adipattij Mancoenagara at Soura Carta, page 113
- A reply to that letter, page 11
- A note about the boats that sailed from the mentioned Pan
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0175
This collection contains secret letters and attachments received from Java's East Coast covering the period from January 1777 to the end of September 1777.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0173
Ian Daniel Beijnon, a merchant and secretary of Police in the local government, appeared on 5 August 1777. Witnesses were present.
Kobiaaij, an orangkaya (local leader) from Poelo Gisser of the Muslim faith, was requested by the honorable Bernardus van Pleuren, Governor and Director of this Province, to make the following statement in favor of the pure truth:
At the end of the previous year, the head saparoua (another local official), Ioan Constantijn Cruijpenping, was ordered to travel to the island Groot Keij to find out information about some pieces of the Company's cannons. According to reports given to Cruijpenping, these cannons were kept there under a certain Regent. The witness reported that Cruijpenping traveled to the mentioned island and upon his arrival investigated whether the mentioned cannons were truly kept there and in whose hands they were. The witness was told that the cannons were kept by the Radja (ruler) of Veer, a village on the mentioned island. Cruijpenping went to him and received information that 8 iron cannons had remained in his care. The mentioned cannons had remained there because a certain Company's boat from Batavia had recently been there and, having suffered a leak, had been forced to repair itself there.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 3499 / 0079
The Dutch East India Company directors received information about various issues in their Asian territories.
Regarding Macassar and the Spice Trade:
The instructions for preventing the destruction of many clove trees with 15 larger spots than in
1624 had been issued. The Macassarese were bold and courageous people who, despite Dutch patrol ships, sailed to Kombello to prevent the arrival of junks. They destroyed clove plantations. The Dutch hoped to achieve their goal within 2 years. The Dutch had wrong opinions about Macassar. Macassar, under
Hamsia, sought to expand its power at the expense of the Company's rights. Macassar made conquests and was the Company's most harmful enemy in the Indies. There were objections to Macassar's actions. Macassar's occupation gave little benefit, so they now intended to stop.
Van den Heuvel's harsh rule upset the Company's subjects. They hoped
Deutecom would improve this.
Van Leeuwen was living beyond his means. Therefore, they sent
Gardenijs there to be Director.
Personnel Matters in Ambon:
The loss caused by
Goudeleen was legally pursued by the fiscal. A sentence was passed and approved. A second trial against
van den Heuvel took place. The Hitu community interceded for their chief. However, they could not agree to reasons for his release. They would keep him confined in
Batavia and place the
Tanahhitu messenger in his position.
Military Matters in Ambon:
More fortification in
Ambon was not advisable at that time. They could only send few soldiers to
Ambon.
Ambon's garrison was small. Power was to be sent in
1636 for the destruction at
Verwela, where
E. Gijsels had great authority. He remained inclined to continue the plan to send more power to
Ambon.
Trade Issues:
Macassar obtained 1,000 bahar [a unit of weight]. They had them sail to
North Keram. Those fed them with hope in vain. Cloves from
Ambon were obtained mostly from
Hitu, which would therefore also get its turn.
Events in the Moluccas:
Molucco received cloves. The arrival of
Outen.
Hamsia's peacemaking.
Gorontalij became king of
Tidore. This caused the old king
Garolamma to flee, who obtained
Hamsia's protection.
Garolamma was too wise for the Spanish. His generosity towards the Spanish with gifts.
There was correspondence between
Ternate and
Tidoro with the Spanish in
Manila. The Dutch received information about this.
Hamsia requested great Spanish power.
Manila's help came early to
Ternate.
Ambonese captive chiefs from
Loehoe were kept hidden. Other leaders from
Loohoe came to understand
Hamsia's opinion, but nothing followed.
Hamsia was inclined to take the daughter of the
Rijdoree as wife, which
Ottens advised him against, but he continued anyway. All qualified Moluccans came to
Ternate.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1116 / 0121
Roelant de Carpentier brought ashore 8 baskets of clean tapestries and 4 baskets of carpet-like fabrics from the goods of the deceased skipper Hendrick Volckmans. These goods would soon be confiscated. From then on, strict watch would be kept on private trade during the unloading of ships. The authorities trusted that no complaints about this matter would reach the company directors. The official order regarding this issue would be renewed both locally and at the trading posts.
Regarding the strict command that company employees at the trading posts should hand over to the company any personal funds they did not need for their household, orders would be sent out accordingly. This would be burdensome for several people who did not engage in private trade harmful to the company, but who sought to earn better interest than in Batavia due to shortage of company capital. However, what the directors decided on this matter would have to be followed.
An important force was sent out on 3 August and 6 September under the supreme command of the honorable extraordinary councilor Rijckot van Goens, to the coast of India and Goa. They prayed fervently to God to bless the company's and the directors' desired goal with his abundant blessing.
From the attached translation of the letter from the Nabab, the directors would see that his highness still requested that his skipper (Nachoda) in Macassar be transported from there with the company's ships. The Nachoda had written to his master that he had been refused passage on a company ship, as Mirsiadelly had confirmed. However, the Nabab realized that the skipper himself was unwilling to come over to settle accounts. As long as he stayed there, his highness's request would not stop. If they absolutely refused his highness and declined to write to the directors on his behalf, he would be more inclined to outfit a ship again to send to Macassar. Therefore they humbly requested the directors not to take offense at their frequent writing about this matter.
Upon the arrival of the yacht Muijden, they would first be able to find out how it happened that pieces were missing from various packages, in order to hold accountable those who had been responsible for the packing. Carpentier was truly so careful that he did not take his eyes off the packers until the package was sealed, so they could not understand how it could happen that nevertheless in one package (marked by him) 10 pieces of carpet-like fabrics were missing.
The small vessel Tayouan, which had not yet been able to reach this harbor, would be ordered to try to reach the bay of Smeldien by sailing out to sea. However, if it could not reach there due to storms and contrary currents, it should then steer toward Ceylon.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1221 / 1388
On
5 August 1696, a letter was written in the village of
Bontawalak in the kingdom of
Bonij on the island of
Macassar. A gift was sent consisting of 2 young slaves: a woman named
Wabijsoe and a man named
Lebasou. The senders explained they were young and inexperienced and could not do better.
A citizen named
Jacob Dumee departed for
Batavia carrying documents addressed to Governor General
Willem van Outhoorn and the council of Dutch India. These documents included:
- An original letter from Governor Isaac van Thijs and the council at Macassar, dated 10 October 1696
- A request for supplies needed in the government for the year 1697
- An original general muster roll of Company servants at Macassar dated end of June 1696
- A roll of qualified persons dated 5 October 1696
- A brief strength report of employees in the government dated end of June 1696
- A list of persons still on the payroll books dated 5 October 1696
- A name roll of deceased Company servants between 26 August 1695 and 20 September 1696
- A list of ships and other Company property at end of June 1696 under this government, with their sailing crews and equipment
- A request from reverend Gerardus Heij and bookkeeper Iacob Kuijk van Mierop at Castle Rotterdam in Macassar dated 10 October 1691, signed by Isaac Marmer Leets
A letter to Governor General
Willem van Outhoorn and the council of Dutch India in
Batavia was received on
2 November 1696.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 7905 / 0466
On August 2, 1712, Mister van der Burg had received 99 rijksdaalders, leaving 101 rijksdaalders still owed. Of this debt, Captain Lauwt had to pay 98 rijksdaalders and the chief Langoegoe 3 rijksdaalders.
On Friday, the writer saw that the kings did not want to pay anything to the Dutch East India Company. He also had to wait a long time for Captain Lauwt, who had already been away for 3 months. The writer thought that when Lauwt returned, he would bring enough coret (a type of cloth or trade goods) to pay off his debt to the Company. To avoid wasting more time, the writer had Company goods brought to shore to see if he could obtain any coret in the meantime.
On Saturday, the chief Balonk from Attingola came to visit the writer. After some unimportant conversations, he said goodbye and returned to his place of residence.
On Sunday, the kings of Gorontale came with some leaders and coret, but they could not agree on the price. They wanted 7 to 8 shillings per catty, while the writer could only offer 5 to 6 shillings. The leaders left with their coret.
On Monday, some small boats came from the bay of Tomimij, reporting that they had seen a group of Makassarese and Buginese people. They believed these people would meet Captain Lauwt.
On Tuesday, the old king came to the writer and also told him about the Makassarese. He asked the writer to send a guard to make them leave. The writer said the king had enough people to send there himself and that he had enough orders from the Company to follow.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1826 / 0422
The Dutch East India Company decided to blockade
Macassar with ships and smaller vessels. The local people living on the coasts supported the people from
Macassar and would help them against the Dutch by any means possible.
The Dutch learned that trade from
Macassar to
Malacca,
Macao, and
Manila was growing, which significantly strengthened their enemies. They decided the best solution was to continuously blockade
Macassar itself with ships and smaller vessels, restricting it as much as their resources allowed.
The Dutch expected this blockade would achieve several goals:
- Little or no supplies from Macassar would reach Malacca and other areas
- The King of Macassar would not be able to send promised assistance to Quimela Lousoe against the Dutch
- Ships from Macassar and Malay vessels normally trading with Malacca and Amboina would be trapped in Macassar
- The regions of Malacca, Amboina, and Ceram would suffer from lack of supplies from Macassar
- The King of Macassar, who was in alliance with the Portuguese and Spanish and was being influenced to become Roman Catholic, would not grow stronger in power, authority, trade, and commerce
- Ships from Macassar returning from Amboina, Banda, and other western places would fall into Dutch hands near Macassar, as would vessels from Java and Portuguese ships from Macao and Malacca
- The Spanish and Portuguese would lose their main trading place in the archipelago, where they were building such influence that ships from Macao, the Indian Coast, and Coromandel could come there without calling at Malacca
- The military assistance that Mattaram was requesting from Macassar (encouraged by the Portuguese) would disappear, and Mattaram would realize that help from Macassar and the Portuguese would come late or never, since the Dutch were attacking both the Portuguese and the people from Macassar in their own territories
For these and other good reasons, the Dutch decided to send forces of men, ships, and smaller boats to
Macassar that they could spare without harming inland trade. They would keep the place continuously blockaded instead of patrolling uselessly in the waters around
Amboina.
On
3 October, the ship
Buijren arrived from the
Moluccas, having left
Macquian on
17 August. The ship brought no cloves at all. Since
14 April, when the ship
Het Gulden Zeepaert had left with letters from King
Hamsia to
Quimalasa on
Lousoe, the weather in the
Moluccas had been very bad and stormy with heavy rainfall. All the cloves on both
Macquian and
Ternate had rotted on the trees, spoiled, and fallen off unripe because of the continuous rain. This meant that trade in those inland areas, which depended on good or bad harvests, had been poor that year in the
Moluccas. Sales of cloth were small, profits were minimal, costs were dispr
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1107 / 0134
The people of an unnamed group remained neutral during the war and troubles between the Dutch and the mentioned
quimalaha, without openly supporting the Dutch side. However, they seemed worried that if the war with the
quimalasa continued, they would be drawn into it. They tried to strengthen themselves in various places and secure their position. They had already completed all their works at
Massappel and intended to establish a new village at
den houck van Seijt and make some fortifications. For this purpose, they were currently clearing the forest around that location and preparing a good supply of lime.
According to reports received by the Dutch in
Amboina, the King of
Tidore had been on
Ceramlant keffing and other places nearby with a force of 22
Correcouren (a type of vessel). What he had accomplished there was still unknown. Those from
Moluco thought he had come there to build a fortress in
Papons or nearby to secure his position in those areas and strengthen it further. If this were true, the people of
Banda would get bad neighbors and would be more subject to robberies than currently.
The state of the churches and schools was in good condition, and the spread of the Christian religion both near the Castle and in the outlying islands had good progress.
The coconut trees that had been leased out for the last time in
Amboina were advertised for lease again by the Governor after the lease expired, traveling to 3 or 4 districts to try to lease them out again. However, no one came forward to accept them, so they remained unleased.
Various persons had paid the Company office in
Amboina the sum of 3,644 3/8
Realen van achten (Spanish silver coins) to be reimbursed by the Company.
Macassar: After the
Macassars and
Malays arrived in
Martapura and spread the news, the
Quimala of Loesoe had sent a delegation to
Macassar this year and urgently requested the King to assist him with some people and vessels against the attacks that the Dutch made yearly on his junks and subjects. The King not only gave his word but also made a firm promise that he would send the mentioned
Quimalasa during the current west monsoon a force of 40 war
praeuwen (boats) well provided with people and ammunition of war, as well as 40 trading junks. With these, the
Quimalasa and his subjects would not only defend themselves against Dutch assaults but also attack the Dutch in their own territory and thereby take revenge for the many junks and vessels that the Dutch had taken from him year after year in the areas of
Amboina and elsewhere and destroyed.
According to information obtained from a certain Chinese skipper from
Batavia who came with his junk from
Amboina, stopped at
Macassar, and arrived on
30 August with some textiles, silk, and about 70 loads of rice, about 12 vessels from the areas of
Amboina had arrived in
Macassar before his departure. They had carried away and brought more than 1,000
picol (a weight measure) of cloves from there, which were ordinarily sold at 1,000
Realen van achten per
bhaer (a measure) of 4½
picol.
Those from the English ship
de duijt departed from
Macassar about a month later and arrived at
Bantam on
11 October. They increased the number and affirmed that by the time of their departure, various
Macassar and
Malay junks had brought a quantity of about
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1107 / 0132
The text describes Dutch colonial activities in the
Ceram region during the 17th century. Raiders were continuously active both in that area and along the inner and outer coast of
Ceram, although they did not come as close as they had done 4 or 5 years earlier.
The placement of preacher brothers had not gone as well as hoped due to illness. Preacher
Herbertus de Jager was suspended for several days from all his duties by the church council because of domestic disputes and excessive drinking. Reverend
Rovenius, having recovered slightly from his paralysis, was placed on the island of
Oma because that location could mostly be visited by water, which would be easier for him due to his disability.
Homimoa remained without a preacher because Reverend
Montanus had departed for
Ternate on
5 July, with his duties being temporarily covered by visits. Only Reverends
Caron and
Huijsman remained at the castle. If the authorities decided to let
Montanus stay in
Ternate, they would need 2 or 3 more sober preachers.
The congregation was growing larger. The Alfuros people from
Pirou and
Lackemaij (located near
Janoenos bay on
Ceram) requested a schoolmaster to teach them so they could become ready to receive the sacrament of baptism. It was hoped that many others would follow their example, as had happened with the village of
Jatasia the previous year, whose inhabitants said they were more inclined toward Christianity than following their leader who had converted to Islam.
In
Manipa and
Bowa, the number of Christians was also increasing. Recently, Reverend
Caron had baptized 25 children and 33 adults there.
The ship
Dimmermeer, sent with materials from there to
Banda, arrived safely but was damaged while being towed to the shipyard. The yacht
Rambangh was then sent via this route to
Macassar. Because it could not reach the harbor, it had to anchor in the lime bay west of
Paricque.
The skipper, first mate
Evert Caspers, was suspended for 10 months, and the steward
Abraham van der Plasse was suspended for 6 months for reasons mentioned in an earlier letter. The assistant
Hans Paurauscher was ordered to administer the steward's iron magazine and equipment goods.
Regarding the clove crop, the situation was such that they expected to harvest approximately 900 to 1,000 bales the following year. The planting of some young trees appeared to be doing well, but the Company's trees were planted so densely that they were too close together.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1275 / 0046
This document is a register of letters and documents received in Batavia concerning the Amboina region. These documents were sent back to the homeland on the first return ships. The register covers the period from 27 April 1683 to 2 November 1683.
The register contains the following items:
- A letter from the acting commander Jeremias van Vliet and the council, sent via the ship N. Noortwijck from Amboina to the authorities in Batavia, dated 16 October 1682.
- Documents related to the mission of Robbertus Padtbrugge in Banda, received on 8 June via the ship Zijp in Amboina.
- A letter from Governor and Commissioner Robbertus Padtbrugge and the council in Amboina to the authorities in Batavia, dated 24 May 1683.
- A report from R. Padtbrugge about his assigned mission, dated 23 May 1683.
- A complaint from the orphan masters of Banda to Commissioner Padtbrugge and the council.
- Notes by Jeremias van Vliet and other appointed officials regarding a statement about a certain party, received in 1683.
- Instructions for the senior merchant Van Doorden, prepared by Commissioner Padtbrugge and the council for his journey to Heffin, dated 11 February 1683.
- A report by Van Vliet upon his return from Heffin, submitted to the Commissioner and council, dated 12 March 1681 (likely 1683).
- A report by Captain Cromhuysen regarding complaints about the people of Pattij, submitted on 27 March 1683.
- A translated letter from the old king of Bantam to the king and nobles of Makassar and the Moluccas, as well as the head man of Ceram, calling for rebellion against the Dutch East India Company, dated 3 March 1683.
- A translated letter from a certain Dai Boelaken, an envoy from Bone, to the Governor in Amboina, about the war against the people of Tamoocko.
- Instructions for Captain Jodocus Cromhuysen, skipper Jan van der Walle, and other commanders of the military force sent from Amboina and Banda, concerning the ship captain Joumat who was reportedly sent by the old sultan of Bantam with 3 vessels and letters to eastern peoples to encourage them to fight for the Muslim religion, dated 25 January 1683.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1385 / 0023
A report was written expressing concern that bandits and slaves in a certain location were powerful enough to beat soldiers to death with sticks. This was considered unacceptable and was blamed on both the recipient and vigilant sergeant
Jan Pietersz who had been stationed there. The situation needed to be fixed quickly because a soldier without weapons was useless in preventing troubles. The recipient was ordered to carefully inspect how things were at
Poelorhun and properly provide everything that was missing. The letter ended on
ultimo November 1686 in
Banda on
Neira, signed by
Willem van Zijll.
Saul, a resident of
Damme under the village of
Bathomia, recently came and complained that someone named
Doman, who had previously been a leader of the common people when the residents of
Damme were last fought against by the Company under Captain
Cromhuijsen, was hindering him with testimony that was harmful to his command. The complainer sought to be confirmed in the position of head or orangkay (native chief). The mentioned orangkay
Paul had been victorious from the beginning and was still their successor. He had continuously shown himself vigilant according to successive testimonies. Therefore, they did not want to fail to give him this certificate of testimony and the worth of an orangkay-ship. They gave him a silver cane and a prince flag as a token. This act was written on
27 November 1686 in
Banda on the island
Neira, signed by
Willem van Zijll.
To Corporal
Jan de Voo: Various vessels being sailed by the natives of
Thila had arrived safely with their passes, but to great surprise no letter or written message had been received from
Macassar.
View transcript NL-HaNA / 1.04.02 / 1436 / 0848
- Birth registrations of twins could be written in one single record, but if a second or third child was reported after the first registration had already been made, a new separate record would be created for that birth.
- The word "age" (ouderdom) after the word "names" should be considered as forgotten in this article.
- By resolution of 25 February 1836 number 4, it was declared that the councils of justice would only make remarks about the first or baptismal names of children if it appeared that people were acting against the spirit of article 75 of the regulation, which was to prevent family names being given as first names. There was especially no reason to prevent parents from giving their own recognized first names used in the Netherlands to their children.
- By decree of the Commissioner General dated 23 September 1829 number 25 (law gazette number 93), question 10, it was explained that although leaving children as foundlings was less common in the Dutch East Indies, when such cases occurred, every found newborn child, regardless of whether it was a Christian, Jewish or native child, had to be registered according to article 80 and following of the regulation. The word "foundling" was therefore used in a general sense in the regulation. (Note: In this article, article 59 was incorrectly cited; it should be article 66.)
- By decree of the Commissioner General dated 23 September 1829 number 25 (law gazette number 93), question 12, it was determined that there should always be 3 marriage banns.
- By decree of the Commissioner General dated 23 September 1829 number 25 (law gazette number 93), question 14, it was determined that the registers of marriage announcements and banns, like other civil registry records, should be deposited with the councils of justice. (Note: The citation of articles 85 and 86 was incorrect; it should be articles 41 and 42.)
- By resolution of 9 August 1831 number 4 (law gazette number 44), it was determined that the power to grant exemption from article 111 of the civil registry regulation, in cases where this could happen without carelessness or fear of harmful consequences, was granted to the governors of the Moluccan islands and of Macassar, and to the residents of the west coast of Sumatra, Palembang, Banka, Riouw, Ternate, Banda, Menado, Timor and the west and southeast coast of Borneo.
- By resolution of 9 August 1830 number 10 (law gazette number 34), it was determined that, changing article 115 of the regulation, residents would have the authority, when requested on urgent and well-founded reasons, to allow 2 marriage banns on the same day, and in very special cases 3 banns, provided this always happened on a Sunday and the marriage was not performed before the third day afterwards, according to articles 110 and 116 of the regulation.
- By decree of the Commissioner General dated 26 September 1828 number 13, it was determined that no marriages could be performed before proof from the civil registry official was shown that the banns had been properly announced.
- By decree of the Commissioner General dated 23 September 1829 number 25 (law gazette number 93), question 13, it was determined that marriages had to be performed at the main place of residence of one of the future spouses, before the civil registry official who was located there and where the announcement and banns had taken place.
- By decree of the Commissioner General dated 23 September 1829 number 25 (law gazette number 93), question 17, it was determined that the burial permit referred to in article 139 would only be issued free of charge to poor people.
- By resolution of 30 August
View transcript NL-HaNA / 2.10.01 / 1163 / 0384
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