On
14 April 1777, the authorities reported they were making every effort to improve and increase indigo cultivation. They thanked the recipients for the cotton yarn samples and for extending the delivery contract for teak wood. They mentioned that commissioners had surveyed the teak forests under the Company's control along the coast and had made decisions on
14th of that month. They respectfully requested approval for these decisions.
Regarding indigo cultivation, they stated no effort would be spared to improve its quality and increase production. They reported that 100 picols of indigo had been purchased at 5 guilders per picol as requested the previous year and was ready for shipment. They expressed gratitude for the cotton yarn samples received for the
Netherlands and offered these samples. They also thanked the authorities for their favorable response to the request from the resident and regents of
Japara for an extension to deliver 32 picols of yarn they still owed at the end of December. They were confident this would be delivered within the agreed 18-month period, above their regular quota.
According to reports from officials in
Sourabaja,
Passourouang,
Banjoewangie, and
Banaroekan (included as extracts), sappanwood had been so extensively cut in
Passourouang district in 1768 and 1769 that nothing remained there or in
Balemboang. In
Panaroekan at most only about 30 picols could be obtained, and the samples sent were very thin. In hope of approval, they would order that since no better quality or larger quantity of this dyewood could be obtained, collection should stop for now and the trees should be left to reach full maturity.
For the rapid and proper construction of the 7 pantjallangs (boats) previously ordered for
Amboina,
Ternate, and
Makassar, and the vessels now required for the main settlement, they had passed on the recommendation to the
Rembang resident
Mister Willem van Hogendorp and further instructed him to stop all private work in the meantime. However, they had to report that a shortage of iron, nails, and other necessary materials had somewhat delayed this construction.