Transcriptions » Recently created summaries of historical documents

In 811, merchants in Naerdieh reported about trade activities. They discussed a contract for 400 pounds of camphor at a price of 14, which was half of the previous year's price. The goods had to be distributed to inland areas after deducting what was needed for the homeland.

The trading ship 'Spreeuw' and 'White Lion' began trading on the first of '88. They sold various goods including:

• Four pieces of narrow local cloth, including scarlet-colored ones costing 17.14.5 guilders
• Green cloth that sold for less than expected
• Cassia linga, which made a loss
• Alum and artal, which made excellent profits
• Wood that earned good profits
• Candy sugar that made about 50% profit
• Black sugar that sold well
• Clove nails that made remarkable profits
• Black cloth that earned less than the previous year
• Crimson red cloth that decreased in price

The document also mentions trade with Siam, which contributed 49,273.4 guilders to Japanese trade that year. The low quantity of leather goods from Siam was due to the war depleting manpower and people being pressed into service for the King of Siam. The trade included sappanwood, wax, hides, and various other goods.

The report concludes by discussing silk trade with Bengal, where they received only 424 packages instead of the requested 1,200, though what they did receive made considerable profits.

In Bantam on January 14, 1616, officials were dealing with various shipping and trade matters. The ship Solphijn was expected to arrive and would be reloaded quickly. Issues with indigo cargo were mentioned. The English were present with 4 ships and 2 small boats.

Four men from the ship Eagle of Delft were brought ashore in chains. They had plotted with a helmsman (who was executed on Mauritius) to kill the authorities and steal the ship. While their case was being investigated, three of them escaped and fled to the English ships. When asked about these men, the English captain first denied knowledge, then admitted they had been on a ship that sailed to England on the first of the month.

The escapees were:

• Willem Janssen Cleijburch, boatswain
• Dr. Anthonisz van Selfft, boatswain
• Albert Theunissen, gunner from Conincxbr

On January 15, 1616, various documents were sent with the ship Mauritius, including trade papers, cargo lists, and copies of correspondence. The letter continues with financial matters and book-keeping records from various trading posts and ships.

On March 3, 1616, there was discussion about building a square tower in Japara, approximately 5 fathoms on each side and 4-5 fathoms high, with 2-3 floors and a gallery around the top for defense.

On July 20, 1612, a letter reported that Jacques de Cock sailed with the ship Der Veer. He was found unfit to command soldiers by the General and his Council, who decided to send him back to the homeland. The letter advises that when sending captains, they should choose good soldiers who can handle military matters wisely. The letter discusses debts owed by Captain Gerrit Gerritsz and Wouters. Captain Wouters left for Makian with the General, planning to return to the homeland without providing receipts for delivered goods. On March 4, 1613, the General went to Batjan and stayed there for about 5 months to repair the severely damaged fort. During this time, an Englishman arrived from Boutton with letters from the King offering help and support. The Englishman informed them that Timor and Solor could be captured with just 60 to 70 men. Captain Apollonius Schotte was appointed commander for this mission. The General returned from Batjan six weeks earlier to strengthen Maleye, where two forts were in poor condition. They decided to rebuild these with stone and lime. They also planned to build a stone house to protect goods from fire, as everything was currently stored in a straw house that could easily burn down.

• Making 3-4 copies of all books as ordered
• Sending copies of letters and memos to Moluccos
• Closing old books and creating new ones at each location
• Recording separate accounts for different types of textiles and debtors
• Only transferring outstanding debts and remaining balances to new books

• The Moluccos region is well-supplied with textiles and sago
• Amboina has sufficient textiles
• During the writer's time, only clean and dry cloves of good quality were received
• Trade in Amboina is more difficult due to many foreigners

In June 12, 1614, after the death of Cristiaen ten Dorst, Adam Westerwolt succeeded him as director in the Moluccas. The writer expresses concern about Westerwolt's appointment, suggesting that a more capable person should have held this important position. The writer hopes that Governor General Reijnst will bring someone more suitable to perform these duties.

The writer received correspondence dated February 1, 1614 on the ship "'t Hert". The letter mentioned the arrival of ships from Vlissingen and Amsterdam, and the loss of ships "Witte Leeuw" and "Bantam". Many books were lost in this incident.

The writer discusses trade matters, particularly regarding cloves and pepper. He emphasizes that while assistants can handle buying these goods, the roles of director and governor require more skills. The writer has implemented new bookkeeping practices at various trading posts, including:

• Closing old books and creating new ones
• Maintaining separate accounts for different types of cloth and debtors
• Only transferring outstanding debts and remaining stock to new books
• Recording expenses, gifts, fortification costs, and garrison costs separately

The writer also mentions that the Moluccas are well-supplied with various types of cloth and rice. He confirms that during his time in the Moluccas, they only received high-quality, dry cloves, as evidenced in the records of the "Zwarte Leeuw".

On September 18, 1667, in Nangasaki, ships from Nomo and Foekefoeri reported seeing a ship 30 Japanese miles offshore. On September 20, 1667, they identified it as the merchant ship "Spreeu" from Batavia, carrying goods worth 842,715 guilders. The ship had endured two severe storms during its 60-day journey. The officials were waiting for another ship, the "Witte Leeu" from Tonquin. Due to northern winds, the "Spreeu" had difficulty reaching port. On September 22, 1667, they sent 5 tugboats to help bring it in. The governor of Nangasaki was petitioned about damages suffered by the Company in Cambodia, where their trading post was attacked and its chief killed by followers of Coxinga. They requested help in getting compensation from Coxinga's Chinese traders who traded in Japan. On September 24, 1667, they received news that the "Witte Leeu" had arrived from Tonquin, carrying merchant Constantinus Ranst and cargo worth 298,679 guilders, mostly Tonquinese goods.

This document appears to be a ship's manifest from 1669 listing crew members and passengers aboard the vessel Tulpenburgh. Notable crew members included:

• Jan Hendriksz de Boer from Haarlem as a sailor
• Jan Adriaansz from Oostsanen as gunner
• Marcus van Buijtenhem from Middelburg as ship's boy
• Gabriel Marcelis from Haarlem as cadet
• Juriaan Leverman from Lubek as boatswain
• Christoffel Stoffelsz from Gou as cook
• Jan Pothen from Oldenseel as sick visitor (medical attendant)
• Joan van Almondo from Briel, who brought his wife, child, and 2 slaves

The document records that there were 95 company servants and 99 people in total on board. Various monetary amounts in guilders were recorded against different names, likely representing wages or debts.

From August 11, 1669 to April 4, 1670, several letters and documents were exchanged between officials in Bengal and Batavia. Constantin Jansz, the director, and his council sent multiple letters to the General Council and the Council of Seventeen. Jacobus Verburgh, the senior merchant, handed over a memo to his successor Jacobus Salderus at the Patna trading post on December 20, 1669.

The documents include:

• A contract with local merchants regarding silk trade in Canacoul
• A memo for bookkeeper Hendrick Cansius about trade investigation in Malda
• Notes about prepared silk in Cassumabasa with the new master Haspelaer
• A report from merchant Pieter Hofmeester about his journey to Canancoul
• A written report from assistant Hendrick Cansius about his purchase of sample cloths in Maldouw

The final document is a copy of a letter from skipper Pieter Coopman to the General Council, written from the ship "De Vryheyt" in the Strait of Sunda on December 23, 1670.

On May 4 and June 20, 92 soldiers arrived at Batavia. Three ships from Ambon carrying cloves and the ship Klaverskerk safely reached Batavia. 13 return ships under Joan Thijsse safely departed from the Cape on March 26 headed for the homeland. The last 2 ships from Batavia were also in sight, giving hope that the return fleet would arrive early in the homeland's harbors.

In Batavia, Mr. Ranst departed as director to Bengal on June 13. News arrived that day that the large ship Hollandse Thuijn had reached Anjer in the Sunda Strait, and the ship De Vrijheit was in sight of Batavia. This confirmed earlier news that Willem III of Nassau was gloriously received in Vlissingen and honored with great splendor in Middelburg as premier nobleman of that province. Discussions were underway to elect him as stadtholder, with the Zeeland lords being so eager that they seemed unwilling to wait for the province of Holland's approval.

Of the eastern return ships, their patrol boat only encountered the Klaverskerk, but merchant Abbema did not choose to stop there, though it could have been done with as little delay as the unnecessary stop at Ambon.

• A transaction of 50 and 122,000 small sago palms, purchased at ½ real per thousand, totaling 215 reals or 645 at the general counter
• Administrative matters in Amboina and the Moluccas
• The need for supplies and resources in Ternate
• Difficulties in executing plans due to limited administrative support
• A reference to the destruction of enemy forces, mentioning 10,000 units of ammunition being used

In a letter dated February 28, 1669, written from Homoa, Adriaen van Lier discusses several administrative matters. He mentions receiving military orders which he will post at redoubts and ensure they are followed. He addresses a debt matter concerning a soldier named Jan de Haen. The letter also references a ship arriving from Banda with mail. A second letter discusses the capture of Nicodemus at Amblau by church visitor Jan Hermansz, for which 10 rixdollars was paid. The letter mentions troubles in Boero and discusses justice being carried out in Ternaten. The document also mentions:

• Chinese invasions in Manila reported by Gabriel
• The refusal of Hitoese pair to those from Aron
• The capture of 5 escaped slaves belonging to Jan de Ruijter on Xula Mangoli, who were brought to Amboina
• News received from the superintendent admiral regarding the Company's military activities

On June 13, Sergeant Jan Blinne returned from the southeast with the chaloup Banda. He brought the brother of the king of Adi, named Silisapij, and the orangkaya Amarossie, who was an envoy from Queen Beklouw. They came to ask for help against the violence of the Portuguese and their allies. According to general complaints, these troublemakers had been causing havoc in the surrounding islands, burning Company flags and treaty letters, and threatening to pursue with fire and sword those who wouldn't side with them. In Lakloi and Are, several people were massacred.

On Etter island, the sergeant found a Makassarese and a Javanese vessel. One was burned, and the other was brought back. Although the recently dispatched hooker arrived late in Batavia for the last European return fleet, it was still useful for promoting local trade. Jacob Doorgank repaid his bill of exchange of 200 rix dollars to the Company.

Due to occasional shortages of masonry stones, more should be purchased for this province. The fluyt Claverskerke, which Governor Jacob Cops will bring soon, will be partially loaded with these stones, and they also expect to receive straw with this vessel.

Regarding news received from Batavia via the yacht Witte Leeu, which sailed together with their ship to Amboina, they will address this in their response.

• 304,000 Tael in Kobangs for the coast
• 261,000 silver for Bengal
• Suromij or wismar was not available for less than 5.9 per picol, later rising to 10.5 per picol
• 190 barrels of Japanese sake from Osaka, of which 20 were filled and divided: 8 barrels to Batavia and the rest to Ceylon

This document lists soldiers stationed at the forts on the island of Ternate, including Fort Orange at Maleye, Willem Stadt at Tacome, and Calouco. The soldiers served under different commanders and on various ships. Here are the key personnel and their monthly wages in guilders:

• Captain: Cathys Hendrickxs van Ditmars (70 guilders), served on ship Delft under Admiral Verhoeven
• Lieutenant: Jan Hendrickxsz de Waert from Gorcum (40 guilders), served on ship Banda under Captain Cornelis de Goeijer
• Sergeants: Joost Prs Deutser (20 guilders) and Boudewyn Janssen from Hoorn (20 guilders)
• Corporals: Barent van Brouck, Dirck Aelbrechtsz from Swol, Hendrick Janssz from Embden, and Cristoffel Janss from Luynnenborch (18-20 guilders)

The rest of the list includes lance corporals, young soldiers (adelborsten), a drummer, coopers, gunners, and regular soldiers, with wages ranging from 12 to 17 guilders per month. They served on various ships including the Delft, Banda, Hoorn, Erasmus, and Der Veer, under different admirals such as Matelieff, Verhoeven, and Pieter de Boot.

At the trading post in Nagasaki in October 1667, several business activities took place. Officials delivered sold merchandise and received copper payments. They sent two ships, the Witte Leeuw and Spreeu, to Batavia on October 22, 1667, carrying:

• 40 bars of copper
• 250 picol of camphor
• 35 Japanese silk robes
• 80 chests of silver

The total cargo was worth 475,724 guilders. They received permission for 8 people from Korea to leave. The Japanese celebrated a festival called Matsuri on October 24. On October 25, they held their fifth and final sale day, where most goods increased in price, resulting in a profit of about 1,500,000 guilders for the Company. The governors Iansabrod and Eauanna informed them that the Council in Jedo had not yet decided about unsealing ship hatches and delaying departures. The traders had to leave by the 6th of the next month. The final days of October and early November 1667 were spent delivering remaining goods to merchants and receiving copper payments.

On November 14, 1636, several matters were discussed in a meeting. Jan Iansen Coninck requested payment of property taxes for 1635 and 1636 for his warehouse rented to the Company.

Captain Comas Nickelsz complained that the Chamber of Hoorn in North Holland refused to pay his boy's wages and his own salary for the period when he served as ensign, lieutenant, and captain. He requested a letter to the Chamber requesting payment of 215 guilders and 10 stuivers.

Dester Jansdr, widow of Ibrahim Schellekens, requested payment of her late husband's wages, who had sailed on the ship Haarlem and later served as constable at Fort Nassau.

Dirck Evertsen, former captain of the White Lion ship, requested his final settlement. Pieter van Conincxloo, a glazier and glass writer, was granted permission to travel by ship after paying freight and recognition fees.

The ammunition commissioners were instructed to place 8-10 pieces on the ship Waterhout. Lucas Pietersen Raven, captain of the Samaraca, was denied additional claims except for 200 guilders subject to arrests.

The meeting also addressed tobacco inspectors' reports about a pilot boat arriving from the West Indies with tobacco. A letter from de Laet was read, and discussions were held regarding the ship Alkmaar and a case involving Paeuw and Stachoner.

The meeting was presided over by Samuel Rommert, with attendees including Reijnier Reaet, Jean Raeij, Abraham Spiers, Eduard Man, and Pieter Verleck.

On October 25, Daniel Six, a merchant, made his report to Joan Maatsuijker, Governor-General in Batavia, about business and political affairs in the Japanese Empire. The report covers events since his last letters of October 22, 1667.

After three trading ships left, the remaining goods were sold through a system of written bids. The market was better than in the previous two sales. The company made a profit of 1,579.76 guilders on their initial investment of 1,345,509 guilders. After deducting all expenses of the Nagasaki office, ships, and gifts, the net profit was 1,451,653 guilders, representing a return of about 107.75%.

The Nagasaki Governor had Japanese doctors test samples of massoia bark, but this and nutmeg oil did not sell well because Japanese people were unfamiliar with their medicinal properties. These items should not be sent to Japan anymore. However, mineral oil, which costs one stuiver per pound and sells for 6.2 maes per catty, could be shipped in quantities of 300-400 pounds for further testing.

Vermilion brought by the ship Schelvis from Cambodia was sold to authorized Japanese imperial buyers at 170 taels per picol. A contract was made in the presence of interpreters and the island's ottona (headman) to buy 40-50 picols at the same price next year.

On March 2, 1641, a meeting was held following the death of Political Councilor Becker, who had also been treasurer. Since Nimuw Olphardh was left alone with treasury duties, and instructions required two political councilors to manage administration, Danel Albert was proposed as a new treasurer.

Three ships - the Leeuwinne, Stockmsch, and Snoeck - were sent to Bonaire to load salt. These ships had been chartered by the Amsterdam Chamber but couldn't get sugar cargo locally and lacked proper salt-loading equipment.

The ship Nassou, designated for slave trade, departed for Guinea with 140 barrels and letters for General Arent Jacobsz.

An agreement was reached with engineer Willem Loussen in Goijana regarding payment to the Company. He would deliver half of his sugar, both from what was currently in the purifying house and what would be ground in his sugar mill.

On March 4, 1641, after communication with Lieutenant Lichthart, the following supplies were ordered for the ship Utrecht:

• 2 foresail ropes
• Cable rope for a staysail
• 3 buoy ropes
• 2 large bundles of matches
• 1 anchor housing and marline
• 1 rope of 20 threads
• 1 Hamburg plank
• Shot nails and single middle nails

• 682 soldiers
• 1,538 sailors and seafarers of reasonable quality

• April 23, 1665
• November 7, 1665
• March 8, 1666
• April 17, 1666

• The Arms of Amsterdam
• Zuidpolsbroek
• Amersfoort
• Sparendam
• The Esperance

• Zeeland Chamber: Middelburg, Opperdoes, and Tiger
• Delft Chamber: Constantia
• Rotterdam Chamber: Eendracht
• Hoorn Chamber: Cecilia
• Enkhuizen Chamber: Castle of Medemblik

In March 5, 1669, Georgius Eb. Rumphius appeared as a commissioner in the church council at Middelburg. He read a letter about church matters that had been sent from Batavia on the ship "White Lion". The letter discussed several points:

• The village of Thiel had refused to help at the redoubt (small fort) of Middelburg, claiming they were busy working on the barricade at Amersfort. Since Thiel had recently helped rebuild this barricade, and it would soon be replaced by a stone guardhouse, it was decided to leave the current division of labor as it was, with Thiel remaining under the Amersfort barricade.
• There was discussion about placing Johannes van der Weerden as a sick-visitor in Honimoa, as another person was expected for Missalant.
• The council debated whether a permanent preacher should reside in Duliassers, as this would be better than making visits which were difficult, costly for the East India Company, and burdensome for the locals.
• The newest arriving preacher would traditionally be assigned to this position, but the decision was postponed until the new preacher's arrival or at least until the arrival of the last ship.

In 1614, Albert Albertsz van Dort sailed on the ship Morning Star. In February 10, 1620, he was given freedom and on February 12, 1620, was paid 31 coins at 49 stuivers for various goods, which remained as proof of his loyalty.

In 1616, Herman Jansz van Sutphen, a boatswain, sailed with the ship New Bantham. He was granted freedom on February 20, 1620 and paid 111 coins at 49 stuivers on February 24, 1620, which remained as proof of his loyalty.

Jan Gerritsz, a gunner from Enkhuizen, came with the ship New Bantam in 1616. He was granted freedom on February 29, 1620 and was paid 189 coins at 49 stuivers on February 24, 1620 in Jacatra, which remained as proof of his loyalty.

Wybbe Hetgesz, a boatswain, sailed with the ship New Bantham in 1616. He was granted freedom on February 20, 1620 and paid 106 coins at 49 stuivers on February 24, 1620, which remained as proof of his loyalty.

Magnus, a pewtermaker, sailed with the ship White Lion. He was granted freedom on February 10, 1620 and was paid 25 coins at 49 stuivers on February 24, 1620 for various goods received, which remained as proof of his loyalty.

In 1671-1672, several Dutch East India Company officials exchanged letters and documents across various trading posts. Francois Caron, an official in Basra, wrote to the commander and council in Malabar on February 17 and 18, 1672. DE Flacourt sent two copied letters on February 25, 1672 - one to the commander and council in Malabar, and another to the Governor-General and council.

Francois de Haze, Director in Persia, wrote multiple letters to the council of seventeen, including one dated October 1, 1672. The Governor-General and council sent letters to the chamber in Amsterdam on December 18, 1671 and January 31, 1672.

The commander and council of Malabar wrote to:

• The French fleet leaders on February 18, 1672
• Francois Caron on February 25, 1672
• Governor van Goens on February 19 and 21, 1672

A memo was written for chief merchant Robbertus Padbrugge regarding the Arab regent of Muscat. From Basra, officials Texelaar and Wallis wrote to the council of seventeen on October 26, 1672.

• 35 pounds of plate and refined copper was sent to Bengal and Suratta for trial sales
• Profit on staff copper was expected to be only 15%
• Tin was mostly sold at an 84% profit
• The demand for 200 English pounds was fully met through shipments from both local sources and the ship "Spreeuw" from Malacca