Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope
Cape of Good Hope (South Africa). Archives | Leibbrandt, H. C. V., ed | Riebeeck, Jan van, 1619-1677 | South African Library
You are, however, to be on your guard everywhere, that you may not be unexpectedly surprised by Portuguese or their allies, especially as at this point you are commending to approach the coast of Sofia and the trade of the Portuguese. You may look out for a good Portuguese prize, that is if you can master it. An inventory is to be made of such a prize, and all improper plundering must be prevented, that the Company may not be deprived of what it ought to have. In case no trade or anything remarkable be found, you shall cross over to Madagascar, to visit its eastern coast, and with the remaining merchandize buy rice. You are also to inquire what profitable trade may be opened up for the Company. Having reached Rio de Janeiro, where we hope no or very few Portuguese will be met, but a good trade opened, you must inquire there, and also everywhere else, whether the natives, as Linsehoten says, are hostile to those of Sofia and the Portuguese. Should this be the case, that hostile feeling must be encouraged, and they must, at the same time, be drawn by and assured of our friendship as much as possible. Above all, you must do your best, if possible, to make favourable conditions with them, and establish trade. You must also bring about that they send their ambassadors to us with you, that we may form a closer and more enduring alliance with them; in course of time this would be important to the Company. Also look about everywhere to find whether rice and other necessaries are obtainable, that we may at the same time also obtain our supplies from these places. With this object this expedition to Madagascar has been despatched (after examination of the coast). Should you find that the natives are hostile to the Portuguese or the inhabitants of Sofala, they must be made to understand that under reasonable conditions we are prepared to join them and advise our Masters to assist them by sea whilst they are fighting. Second worden gelijck mede uijt de besobrijTiDge teb iinsehoten nkt vernomeo wort dat de selve verder handelen als tot de dorpen ofte yleeken Seoa even beuoordeu den hoeck van Cabo das Uorintas leggende op een reviere meeet oude? den tropieu CaprioorDij die mede wel sonde mogen beioeht worden om te SÏen of d* inwoooders qub aldaer eenigh aooes wilde verleenen, edoch moeten UI; echter overal wel f>p hoede endo voorsichtigh wesen om niet ergens boven vermeiden van Portugesen ofte hare adhere aten onveraiena overvallen te worden insonderheijt also u alhier de custe van Hoffala ende der Portugesen handel plaetaen beginnen te naderen daer oook wel op een goede Portugesen prijs sal mogen worden geleth, verstaende die gbij siet over te mogen nemende de goederen bij pertinente inven taxis over ende voorcomen 600 veel mogeÜjck alle onbe-hoorlïjrke plundennge van 't voleq op Dat 't gene d' E. Comp" toecompt deselve daerin te min veroort worden. Ende soo noch handel off ijts remarquable ergens gevonden wordt suit al ad an oversteeken natir Madagascar om de Oost aijde van 't selve aen te doen ende daer u overigh hebbende ooopmanschappen in rijs te verhandelen mitsgaders met eenen ondersoeoken wat aldaer vorders d' E : Comp^ dienstigh moohie te handelen weaen. Tot Rio dea Eeijs geoomen sijnde daer vertrouwen naer 't rapport als voren noch geen ofte altoos weijnich Portuf^esen maer apparent wel handel vinden snit moet indaehtigh sijn te vernemen, gelijok mede overal off d' inwoonders ra et die van Soffaia ende de Portugei^ea gelijok Linacliottrn beschrijft oook in vijandschap leven, sulcx soo bevindende, moeten deselve daertoe meer aengehist ende van onse vruntschap soo veel mogelij ck ter contrarije weder aengelockt ende verzeckert worden ende boven al geivert om eenige favorable conditien met deselve, mogelijck eijnde te maeoken ende handel te stabilereo, mitsgaders oock te wege te brengen dat d:*3elve hare ambaë^a*en ofte gesauten aen ons met u mede laten gaen omme in te vaster alliantien ende contracten te mogen geraecken, waer aen d' E : Comp'^ mettertijt wel grootelij ex mochte gelegen werden, wel acht namende met ^eenen overal off ergens oook rijs ende andre nootdruftigheden vallen om met eenen on se provisie voor dese plaetse van daan te mogen haelen, waertoe dese beseadinghe prineipael (na gedaen endersneck op dese e a eten) na Madagascar on de mora en wordt ^och voorseijt om eerst em passant de voorgein elt e pla nineteen 't ontdecken. Daer gelijck dan siet ende bemerckt dat d' inwoondera tegen de Portuguesan off d' inwoonders van Coffala strijdigh aijn, moet givert worden haer te doen verstaen dat wij geneghen sijn onder redelijcke conditie met haer samen te spannen ende onse ïlru, Meeet era 1* advisexeoj ende voor te dragen hun met macht inM. 2 Ben Jtiiiij» 314 16ft». on land against the Portuguese and their allies, to bring them 26th"juno. ^^der their authority, alec to defend them against the- Portuguese, taking and destroying the forts, and further doing whatever is- possible or practicable in course of time, &c. You must, however, not trust them too much, but be on your guard. You are not to go further or lower than Rio de Janeiro, unless you think that without much delay the villages of Dona Guzman, may be visited near the mouth of the river at Cabo das Gorgios, where the Portuguese obtain much gold overland, as well as with their small vessels by water. But as this cannot be done without danger, you are not to delay there long, lest you be surprised and overpowered by a number of small craft from Sofala, or proceed so far down that your trip to Madagascar will be prevented. You will therefore, after the explorations as we have said, cross over from Rio de Janeiro in order to bring for us as much rice as you can get for the rest of your little cargo— in case an accident has happened to the Rowh Fo, despatched on the 8th May last — that we may with this vessel obtain supplies, unless you have the good fortune, as we hope, of obtaining, at the places mentioned along the coast, rice, gold, amber, dave, and other merchandise in such quantities that your small cargo has in consequence become exhausted. In this case you shall remain straight hither. But finding nowhere in those places any side or anything else, you are to cross straight over from Rio de Janeiro to Madagascar, to obtain as much rice as you can get for your cargo, besides 8 or 10 slaves or more. You are well aware that the negro will be waited for herewith hungry stomachs and good appetites. As we understand that in Madagascar, the French have a station at Antipatera, and the Dutch have found trade and rice near by in the bay of St. Lucia, you may visit all places at havens which can be entered without danger as far as the bay of Antongil, so that if you do not get enough in one place, you may without delay obtain the rest somewhere else. Also, carefully observe what trade may be possible in those parts, and, if it can be done without danger, find out what the French are mainly doing, and whether a profitable bargaining trade can be opened with them. Nuen derselvere hulpé (eijl: te lande ende wij te water) den Portuguesen end e haren auch nicht onder haben gebetiete te bringen, den nennen ook alsdann vorteres tegen de Portugesen te beauher-menge, nemende ende ruijnerende derselve vestigheden ende wes meer bi! tijt «Dde wijle praoticable ende mogelij ok te doen mochte wesen, Ac*, Echter moeten UI : haer niet al te Teel vertrouwen ende door- gaens wel op hoede eijn mitsgadera oock niet verder ofte lager oomen als tot Eio dea Kei ja ten ware UI : daohten aonder verlets te sullen mogen besoeckeOt t' vooraentogen dorpen Zena gelegen voor aen op den revier aen Cabo des Coiintas daer de Fortugeaen over lant veel gout halen ala ooek met haer kleijne vaertuijgen te water maer alsoo sulox niet 't eeuemael aonder prijokel BOude weaen aoo dient daer niet langh vertoeft ommo met veel vaertuigen van Cofïala hoe wel ae oleijn aijn overmant te worden, noehte oook daer door eoo leegh te vervallen dat van u reIJ8e naer Madagascar sonde gefrustreert Blijven des wijb UI : na gedaen ondereneeck als vooraz : van Rio dea Beijs suit ende nootelijk moet oversteken omme ons voor n onderh ebbende oargasoeutjen soo veel rijs noch empaesant mede te brengen als *t selve sal ounnen ofte mogen toereijcken off migsohien (dat Godt verhoede) 't gal jot de Roode Vos ten dien eijnde 8 Maij passade mede derwaerts gesonden eenige disaester oveigeoomen ware, opdat wij dan noch eenigh aecours van rij a met dit gal jot mochten beoomen ten ware UI : 't gel nok (soo wij willen hopen) quaemt te trefEen dat gij op dese custen in «Ie voor- haelde plaetsen rijs^ gout, amber, slaven, ende andre coopman- schappen eoo veel hadt beeomon dat u cargasoentjen heel geeonsuert wau, ala wanneer in dieu ge\"alle dan UI : rei j se verder regel recht härwaertfi aen, doen suit, maer op die plaetsen nerghens enigen handel off ijts vindende ende dier hal ven u carga overhoudende moet sonder verauijm van Ui o dea Keijs oversteecken na Madagascar omme al daer soo veel rijs te handelen neuen ens 8 a 10 off meer slaven ala u o^opmanz : zullen mogen toereijcken alaoo hier na den rijs, aoo UI : wel bekent si j met grage magen ende hongerige huijoken gewacht wordt. Ende alaoo wij verstaan dat aen Madagascar de France op Antipera leggen ende onse Nederlanden in de bat je van St. Lucia daer dichte bij wel handel ende rijs gevonden hebben soo cunnen ül : alle plaeton ende havenen die sonder prijckel aencomelijek rijn van boven aff aendoen tot de baij van Anton gie in elnija, op- dat ghij aen d' een plaetae niet genoegh orijgende 't aupplement op d' andre plaetsen becomen raooght sonder te versuijmen maer wel naeuwe acht ende opmerokinge met een en mede te nemen wat aldaer ende overal wijders oock in negotie off andersina mocht e te doen vallen ende iusonderhcijt mede sonder gevaer cunnende geschieden, wat der Fran een haer  to look for trade and rice at all the places named. To accomplish all this, it has been decided to appoint as commander of the said yacht the Junior Merchant, Frederik Verburgh, Secondus in this fort, in order to manage the trade everywhere, and to do this, with advice of Council, for the greatest advantage to the Company. In that Council, he shall be president; it shall consist of the following persons, viz.: — Frederik Verburgh, Commander and President; Samuel Volkertsz, Skipper; Tymon Egbertsz, Chief Mate; and Claes Wopkes, Boatswain; also Caspar van Weede, Assistant, as Secretary, who will also have to get all charts drawn and copied, as he is well versed in these matters and has been sent especially for this purpose. This Council shall also decide about the visiting of the lands mentioned, the havens, rivers, and bays, and shall appoint the course of sailing, &c. Without consent of Council, nothing shall be attempted, that everything may be done with judgment and prudence; and when Ven)urgh, with approbation of the Council, shall go on shore anywhere, he shall always be accompanied by 4 or 6 soldiers (placed on board for the purpose), that he may always be provided against treachery. Wherever you come, you must show a little of your cargo to the Natives to find out what they like best, according to instructions generally mentioned above and our daily conversations on the subject — from the latter you will plainly gather our intentions for the interest of the Company. The rest we leave to your experience and diligence, and trust that in everything you will so conduct yourselves for the benefit of our superiors that the latter may be satisfied with your proceedings, as especially in doing off met desiderate of profitable conduct in trouque ende negotie voor d'E: Comp' souden te maeaken weseo &tf' ende also den medegaende ï'ransman Nicolaes Bain affirmeert dat digté bij Antepera cock over eenigen tijt Engelschen haer hebben soeeken te atabüeren soo moeten UI : voor desideration ock insonderheijt wel op hoede wesen ende mogelijck si jade soo veel afbreuck doen als a ouder verleth uwer bevolen saecken ende de minfite prijeckelen suit ouen bijbrengen maer vooral toesien niet baardeus 't sij op Eogelsohe ofte Portugesen 't ondernemen om in geen ongelegen! hei jt te geraken dea daerse sonder u in prijokel te stellen eenigh afbreuck cnrt doen maer bevolen bil ift ende bijson-der gerecommandeert op alle voorhaelda pl Aetsan handel ende rijs t© aoecken. Tot ujwederige van allen, welche geworden is te commiteren gelijck doen bij desen ende ordoneren als opperhooft op gemelte galjot mede te gaen den ondercoopman Frederick Verburgh on sod eecnnden deaer fortre&se omme de negotie overal te exerceren ende wijders te doen sulex met ad vijs van rade ten meeaten dienste van d: E ; Comp" sal bevonden worden te beho- ren. In wel eken raedt gednij rende deae voijagLe de preoianee off- te voijingh oock altijt sal oeouperen ende dierhal v^en bestaen inde naervolgeade persoonen als te weten — Fredrick Verburgh als opperhooftende preie, Samuel Volckertsz : Sohipper. 1 ijmon Egbertsz : opperstuijrman ende Claes Ilopkea, hooghbootsman» mita gaders, Casper van Weede, aasigtent als sehriva die oock met eenen suit alle oaertieDS laten copieren ende teijckeuen daer gjede kennisse van heeft ende principaelijck toe mede gesondon wort aen welcken raet ooek aal staeri 't aendoen van landen ^ haven :, revieren, baijen Sattel van oourseUy &^ ende en sat Bonder adWjs ofte besluijt van dien niets mogen bij der bant genomen worden op daf alles mei ^oedt overlegh ende voorsichtigheijt toegae, ende daer voors r 8' Verburgh met ad vijs als voren goet vint aen landt te gaen sal den eenigh voor eenigh verraedt wat deSen-cijff te mogen wesen. Van't oargasoentjeu dat u bij desen mede gegeven wordt moeten UI : overal daer ocmpt de inwoooders al te met wat topneti omme te vernemen waer naer deselve *t graegh&te sijn ende alsoa in desen genoecli verhaelt ia mitsgaders bij onse dagelij okx monde- lingh oommunicatie eoo veel wel best begrepen omme onse intentie ten dienste van d'E, Comp" te verst aen, soo sullen ie reate op UI : nader onder vindinghe ende naerstigheijt laten aen comen met ver- trouwen UI : haer in alles ten meeeten dienste van d'opgem" Comp" soodanigh suit dnigen dat deaelve van du doen oontente- ment mogen beeomen ende gelijck vertrouwen pertijoulierl : tere t354. 2Gt?n Jïa24 318 ^^' uniflon with the claims of your honour and reputation. We wish •ethJuiH'. you a happy voyage and safe return — may God grant you his abundant olessings. Amen. In the Fort, 26th June, 1654. (Signed) J. v. Biebeek. No. 53. J. V. Biebeck. Commander of the Fortress, Good Mope, etc., sends greeting. Whereas, because of the scarceness of our provisions it has been decided by the Council to despatch the troops to Madagascar for rice, and at the same time explore along the coast of Monopatapa beyond this cape all havens, nays, creeks and rivers whether any trade may be opened up for the Company, and whereas in different writings and from verbal information it has been affirmed that much gold, amber, and ivory, slaves and ebony are to be had, and whereas to find out all this a suitable and diligent person is required, and whereas we are sure of the fitness, vigilance and inquiring spirit of F. Yerburgh, of all which he has given abundant proof; we therefore appoint him to carry out our wishes as stated above in the interests of the Company, likewise to preside as chief officer of the galiot in the Council, to administer justice, and further to do what may be required with advice of Council. The skipper, mate and all minor officers and soldiers and sailors are ordered to acknowledge Yerburgh as such and to obey him as if we ourselves were present in the body, as this is in our opinion for the best interests of the Company. In the Fort, this day, 26th June, 1654. (Signed) J. v. Biebeeck. 319 ende reputatie tot allein 't weleke ende een geluckige behouden 'heen ende wederom reij se u den Almogende Zijnen milden zegen 26em Jimij. ende genade wil verleenen. Amen. Int fort de Goede Hoope, desen 26 Junij 1654. Was geteijokent. John AN VAN UIBBECK. No 53. Johan van Biebeeok, commandeur wegen de bewilntheberen van de Nederlandse g'ootroijeerde Oost Indise Comp over derseker Fortresse gen de Goede Hope ende verderen omnes alhier aen Cabo de Boa Esperance, &, doen te waren: Also mits onse soberhei jt van victualiën bij den raedt goetgevonden is 't galjot de Tulp van hier te versenden naer Madagascar om rijs ende ock met eenen desen hoeck om langh de custe van Monopatapa alle havenen, baijen, inhammen ende revieren tout endeoken ende ondersoecken wat handel overal ofte ergens voor 'd Cromp' moohte te doen vallen de wij Ie bij diverse beschrivingen ende endelinge informatie g'affirmeert wort in deselve veel gout, amber enderer oliphants tanden, slaven ende ebben hout te vinden wesen sal tot ondersoeck ende uitvoeringh van alle 't weloke noodigh en bequaemheijt, capaiteijt, vigilentien ende iverige ondersoeokentheijt van den persoon Fredrick Verburgh, ondercoop', ende 2° perso3 N deser gem" fortresse volgens preuve daer van in diversige tijden ende sacken volcomen ende genoechsaem betoont dat wij denselven dierhalven daer toe nomineren, ende stellen gelijck doen bij desen omme alle de voorverhaelde toecken ten dienste van d' E. Comp" waer te nemen ende uijt te voeren mitschaders oock met eenen als opperhooSt op gem" galjot geduijrende de vojagie in rade te presideren, justitie t' administreren ende wijders te doen 0uloz met advijs van Bade ten meesten dienste van de opgem"* Gomp"" sal vinden te vereijschen; dierhalven den schipper, stuer- man, mitsgaders, alle mindre officieren, soldaten, ende matrosen, bij desen bevolen worden den selven Verburgh daer voor 't erkennen ende gehoorsamen, alsoS wij selSs in persone Ï resent waren : alsoo wij sulcz ten meesten dienste van d' E. 'omp^ alsoo bevinden te behooren. In Fort de Goede Hope Adj. 26" Juni 1654. Was gotten into, Johan van Eiebbbck. 320 16M. List of papers delivered to F. Verburgh on board the Tful 26th June destined to proceed hence to the coasts of Monopatapa and to Madagascar : — 1. Original instructions for the officers of the galiot. 2. Appointment of Verburgh. 3. Invoice of cargo. 4. Ships' accounts of expenses. No. 54. Bobben Island. To Marcus Bobbeljaert and Pieter Borghers. 17th July. Instead of the two Frenchmen you receive Thomas Christophe Fel Mulder \ Adriaan van de Paveren and to remain there. Pieter Hosick ) The two Frenchmen are to return to this. You also receive a Cask of bread ) Some salt j A can of oil I r ^ u A * • 7 for weeks. A can of vinegar \ wcon^. 45 lbs. meat 15 lbs. pork 3^ov^*^ to dig up some land and sow the accompanying wheat and seeds. In this you shall let the men work diligently, as we believe that wheat will ripen much better and be gathered more easily there, because the south-east winds do not blow there so hard and strong as here in Table Valley. You are therefore to do your best and so long let the seal fish again, as we observe that it yields little on the island at this time of the year. Confide you to the Lord, in a hurry. In the Fort, Good Hope, 17th July, 1654. (Signed) J. v. Biebjseck. Begister van de pampiereu gelangt in handen van den <')nderooop" Frederick Verburgh, p' 't galjot de Tulp, 26vnTuiiij. Geschichte desen hoeck om na de ouBte van Monopatapa ende Madagascar respective : — No. 1. Originele instructie voor d'Opperhooffden van 't voorz. : galjot. Commissie voor S. Verburgh. J. Faotuerken van t cargasen. Y, 4. Scheeps rekening van onoosten. No. 54. Robben Eijlant. A.en Marcus Robbeliaert ende Pieter Borgers. Hiernevens comp. in plaetse van de 2 Franoen i'^" -'"'^j Thomas Christoffelsz. Mulder \ Adriaen van de Paveren, ende! om daer te blijven Pieter Hosick ) sullende De twee Franoen daer togen weder hier oomeu ende gaet hier nevens oock een vadt met broodt. Wat sout Een can olij Een eau asiju 46 Ib. vleijs y voor 6 weken 15 Ib. speek /> spaden ende | 3 scho])pen | J om wat lant om te spitten eidr d% nefiens gaendc taniw ende sadeu in te saijeu, waeraeu UI. 't volcq vlijligh suit laten arbeijden, alsoo wij meenou dat du taruw daer beter sal cuunen rijp ende ingesamelt worden, vermits de ioijdtooste winden daer soo hard ende fel niet waijen als hier in de fafelrallai], des daertoe deu meesten ijver met den anderen amiwenden moet, latende 't Robbenvangen soo lange staen, dewijlo doch bemeroken dat het daennede op dat Eijlant weijnigh beschiet. Yoor dees tijt niet anders als den Heere bevolen met haest. In 't Fort de Goede Hope desen 17^' Julia 1654. Was geteijckent, JOHAN VAN BÂBBSBCK. 8?2 No. 55. Batavia. To the Governor General and Council, sent per Ooud^bloem and Ham. 1664. Our last has been per Draak and KaJy and dated 9th March. On the 18th April, the Tulp arrived, having left the Texel on the 23rd Dec., and sailed via Shetland and the Barques; it brought instructions to be despatched at once to St. Helena with sealed despatches for the Commander of the Return Fleet. It was so fortunate as to fall in with the fleet; and to our great surprise, returned thence in 20 days with the enclosed missives, to which we shall not refer now. The unexpected passing by of the fleet was a great disappointment, as we hoped to be provided by its means with rice and arrack and the indispensable clothing for the men, who are now so threadbare that they are hardly presentable, and from want of proper food are also famishing. If the supply of vegetables had not been so abundant, there would already have been a severe famine, as we have been mainly living on garden produce since January last, and could obtain no barley or peas out of the ships. Per Ghndsbioem we only received 4 casks of barley, which, being perved three times daily, hardly lasted a month. Of bread, long ago used up, we would not have been able to land more than what we could last for 9 or 10 weeks at the furthest, in order not to deprive that vessel of too much whilst still having to proceed to Batavia. Compelled by these troubles, we first despatched the Roode Vos on the 27th April to Madagascar for rice, &c., and with such merchandise as we still possessed of the Company and could scrape together from private parties. Afterwards we sent the Tulp also, on the 18th June, but with Instructions also to explore the coast Batavia. No. 55, Aun d'Ijd. Ilru* Öouverueur-Oöüörael eude Hudeii van Iiidia^ p dü ecbepeu Goutsblom oide Uaeei g^B^^ Jfd-, cTutr^tü^ w<*lwijso, vuürBieulge, seer dii^üreto beuren* Mijn Heeroii. Oijs joDgste Buhrijvön aeu UEd. is gew©t*st p*' d*ü Draeok eode 't CftHf iü dato!* Martij o vurledeïi. Sedert corapt!uor l^j» deii IS'*' April daeraou uijt Patria 't gftljot de Tulp 2*i December uit Texel |(:eseijtt,fiiido sijn mjee aübtercm gen omen hi^bbeud© met 'ni^eive aon odö waerbij g'ordon- ni.*ett wierden d' gal jut tou een ten %'ot>rt8 weder aff te se uden nae St Uelenii met gesloten brIeTen aeu den Com man dei ir van d«i Itetour rlote die *t ouok beloopeu lu'^^ft on do van daer in *J0 dageii t' oiiAer groote Torwondoringe de retour tot hier opgebaolt beuefïeoft üuok dese ingesloten missive waerbij derselver gel Gegenstand apparent amel advisement oude ons dierbalven deswegen niet sullen extenderen. Viel  hadden mogeu strecken mitacbaders van broodt dat hiergansoh en de o rorlaugli al op was, ook niet meer souden hebben 1' Tinne ü ii'^liten als voor 9 olï 10 weken ten uijtersten om *t sohip voor Hijn noch te doene reijee na Batavia niet al te veel t' ont- blooten. Door alle T\olcke ongelegentbeij t wij nootshalven hebben gere- aolveert eerst op den 27 April 't galjot de Roode Vosoh na Madagascar te senden om rijs i^c* nevens soodanigh cargasoen ale hier van Oomp* ende der particulieren goedt hebbeo ounoea bijeenrapeo ende naerderhant oook de Tulp als verder van 8t. Helena geretoumeert wesende oook op den 18'''' Juni] edoLsh met ordxe omme namontlijt^ de Tulp eerst alle haTweu met eenen langhs de ouiten desen ho^ok om te ontdaokeü ni^4. H«ii Aug. Beyond the Cape as far as Rio de Beys in 25° S. LaL, and then across to Madagascar for rice, as the accompanying resolution will show. Refer you also to copy of our letter to Commodore Kemp, for provisions out of the Ketchum Fleet Received from him 25° last rice and some articles of clothing for the men. The copies will give you all our correspondence with Holland and the replies per Tulp and Oaudsbiaem. We also refer you to our journal which contains a memorandum of events since the departure of the Drake and Kalf. As stated, we were much surprised by the sailing past of the return fleet, because of the want of provisions, as we could get no barley or peas out of the ships, and were not provided last year with rice. We therefore hardly knew how to feed the men three times daily, and had to apply to the gardens for the vegetables in them, which, however, gave no strength to the workmen to do the hard work to be done here at the fort and on the lands, which will not cease for a long time, if this place is to be improved year after year. It has been very miserable to sit here with such scanty supplies, caused by the vessels passing by, especially those of the smidler chambers. As long as we have been here no other ships than those of the Amsterdam Chamber have touched here, expecting the Hof van Zeelant in May 1652 and the Breda from Hoorn in December. They seem to have been frightened away from the Cape, and those who do call have the idea that only out of the Amsterdam ships supplies may be drawn, and even go so far as to protest against being compelled to discharge anything, however much we prove to them our straits. They, however, demand as abundant refreshment as those of Amsterdam, which is equally apportioned to them also. Heil Aug. 1051. want of water, &c. We would not care about it, however, if you would annually supply us— as has been now successfully done per has— with 30 or 40 lbs of rice, also some beans and other and 25 or 30 leafers arrack, which would save the same quantity of wine from India, which we are obliged to take from the ships instead. This would save much expense, as 6 leaguers arrack hardly cost as much as one leaguer of wine. The bread would of course be also very well-moist in India. We would annually require 4,000 lbs., but will not be able to keep the men at work on this. On 4 lbs. bread and the ordinary meat days weekly without additional boiled food 3 times daily, they cannot work, and if we only had rice now, we could help ourselves, as it is both bread and boiled food. Our urgent request is therefore to be supplied annually with rice and arrack principally — for the rest we will be able to help ourselves. We also ask for some clothes for the men, also that in future they may line their clothes and make their own shirts. 4 packs guinea linen. 2 do. Sumt chintz. 4 do. Negros, also for making cartridges. 150 coverlets. 2 packs fine and common mouris. 5 packs blue and white bafta. all kinds of colored ginghams for summer clothing. 1 lb. Bothillis. to be used as bunting. For the fort and flag, Sailch, 3 or 4 hundred common coast, and among them some fine shirts, with bands for the men and the officers. N.B. — No Dutch goods, as they will not be taken. Some black sugar for beer, and some white do. ; also som#* spiees for the sick, largely used here. Have often 50 or 60 siek from the ships on shore for recovery, that they may in a healthy stjite be forwarded to Batavia, as in the cjise of those of the (fOUfhhIoem, 4 or 5 piools wax — it may seem much, but it will be profitable to the Company an<l of s(*rvice to the men, as it will be sold for the same price charged for it at Batavia. 2 do. 2 do. 2 <lo. 1 do. 1 .lo. 1 do. 2 do. 2 do. 827 ofte gebreok van water &c*. edoch was daer aen- voor ons niet ^ö^^- gelegen als UEd : ons maer jaerlijckx (gelijok nu pr. de Haes u^^uff. treffelijek gesohiel sij) gelieven t accommoderen met 30 d 40 lasten rijs nevens wat boocen ende cadjangh ende 25 & 30 leggers aracq waer mede soo veel meer wijn (alhier in plaets van aracq moetende lichten tot volcqx rantsoen) voor India sal oannen verspaert ende costij overcomen mitsgaders ingevolghe dese plaetse daer bij vrij oncost elijcker gehouden werden, vermits bemercken 6 leggers aracq 't noch qualijok soo veel monteren als een legger wijn gelijckt broodt voor de schepen in India oock beter te passé sal comen dat hier anders alle jaren al omtrent 40 C Ib. soude dienen te wesen, daermede de luijden echter niet cnnnen aen 't werok houden, als mogende op 4 Ib. broodt ende d'ordinarie vleijsdagen's weecks sonder beneffens dien alle dagen 3 mael pot spijs geschaft te worden, niet arbeijden ende wanneer maer rijs hebben gel : nu, cunnen wij ons volcomelijck behelpen want 't selve broodt ende potspij s tegelijck is invougen ons ver- Boeck dierhalven op 't hooghste ende alderdienstighste vort Aen maer is om rijs ende aracq principiel, sullen ons dan wel voorts cunnen behelpen beneffens welcke provisie oock versoecken tot verschooningo voor ons volcq in toecomende om haer cleeren te voeren ende hembden yjblu te mogen maecken, &c. namentlijck : 4 packen gunees linnen. 2 d" Suratse Chits. 5 d" negros cleeden om oock cardoesen van te maken. 160 deeckens. 2 d" fine ende gomeene mouris. 2 d" salm pouns. 2 d" blaeuw ende witte bafta. 2 d" ttlderhande gecoleurde gingans tot somer kleeden. 1 d"^^'ft^ I '^öthilles om oock voor't fort ende gal jots tot 1 d" blaeuwe ) ^^*^^® ^^^^ ^ gebruijcken. 2 d" Taffacelas. 2 d" seijl cleeden. 3 è 400 gemdene daer onder wat mooije cust hembden met beffen daerop, voort gemeeno volcq ende d'offisieren. Nota geen hollantsen die niet quijt worden souden. Wat Bwarte suijcker om bier te stellen ende oock wat witte d" nevens eenige specerijen voor de siecken daer hier veel aen ge- consumeert wort, also somtij ts 50 a 60 siecken van de schepen aen lant nemen, om door verversingen ende andersints in der haeste hier weder op te queecken op dat se met deselve weder gesont ende verfrist sijnde voort na Batavia mogen gaen soo nu aen die van de Goutsblom gedaen is. 4 & 5 picol wasch, dit sal T7 Ed : misschien al wat veel schijnen maer van hier tot profijt van de Ed: Compangie ende groot i<;'>4 In case you dow Imvp as little rice a» laat year, we Teqnefit to iitlrAutf. ^*^ furnished with more cloth and a quiantilj' of tiD, to be lued for buying rice at Madagascar, as we now had to do with very little goods for barter. Will inform you of the result. Would like to have some pieel if you have any, to be used with inn, of which we have enough. We can only older some from liome per next return fleet. In the Meanwhile, we must do without it, though we want it badly. Had the fleet called it would have been abundantly supplied with cabbages, carrots, turnips, beets, cucumbers, and other greens, to save nothing of the thousands of watermelons, of which we sent to St. Helena per Tulp a good many. The rest we used for the garrison, and as a quantity of seeds per Gomhbhem reached us from Holland, and we sowed 3 morgen of ground, having 2 more ready for the same purpose, it is evident that the crops will next season be 10 times more abundant. Will also have cattle, for having obtained the necessary copper we will again be able to trade. Consistently, in future the return fleet will here find of everything so much and so good that the crew will believe themselves to be in Holland, as the gardens are so full of young plants that when grown to perfection they will be able to supply 25 ships every day abundantly for a whole month, and should the fleet again help us with rice and arrack, as you have done so opportunely per the HaaH, the yield will henceforth never be less, but if not we will be obliged to consume the vegetables ourselves, instead of their being used for the passing ships for necessary refreshment. We therefore humbly beg for rice, &c., for the rest we will be able to help ourselves. We are surprised that the seal skins and the sea cow tusks yield so little in Japan, as there was a good demand for all kinds of gear for the journey. Van de retour vlnte hebben vemonien dat np Batavia gedaen wort. JRndd ingevftl!*^ dattet wederom u^ioohto geheuren nh a" pftBi*ailo *]at; ('ostij êoo weijnigh rijft in voor ra*^ rit wan soo V6rei>eckea oitmoedighl : ons in dien gevalle dan zoo voel te meer cl e oden end e peitije thin magh toe geaonden worden om daer voor onse provieie selfs van MadagaRcar te mogen hal on aoo desen jare met eeo fleer sober cargasoen noot fihal ven Ii ebben moeten onder- nemen waervan naer beoomen preuve üEd. hier na ad vijs hopen te geven. 8tael eoBtij cuonende geroiat worden 8onden mede gaerne met ijtwes aocoTn mod eert weeën omme hier van te maken met iser (dat geiioech hebben) *tgene ons diekwil» U*r haoghsten nodigh ir, nleoo 't niet eer als niet d' aenstaende retour vlote uijt 't patria Rullon ounnen ontbieden, en de ondertiifwehen vrij om bonoodight vallen, p". memorie. Ilftdde de retour vlote hier aeiififeeomen, fiouden floo over- vloed igb Cf>ol, wortelen, rapen, oonioomnierfi ende andre moeaeniijden gevonden hebb*'n, dat het moe geworden, ende niet oirboren souden hebben ounnen aU «ïoek bij duijaeiiden WHler- lem oenen waervan dezelve aen St" Helena p' de Tulp oock al vrij wat na Bonden, ende van de reet nedert ons volek geapijst ende al soo onB jegenwoonligh abondantie van flaet p' de (ïoutabloem nijt Hollant geBonden is, ende ongeveer o mergeu lant befiaijt mitaobaders nooh omtrent 2 mergen boven dien gereet te be&aeïjen staet, Bo iat apparent tegen 't aenataende noch wel 10 maol overvloediger te wesen aU mede van koebeesten die ^eruiita nu oo<3k ontsetb van plaet onde dink draet ooper hebben beeomen wel weder Bullen eunnen hanfleleo. Invougen met Godt lie voorate de retour vlote in toeooaieude hier vareehijnende van alleB soo vele ende wel sal vinden datae sohier fiuUen meenen heel in Hollant te wesen also 't lant jegenwoordigh wel soo (vol?) jonge aert vruchten ataet datter (rijp gewortlen aijnde) wel 2 -'t retour sehepen, l ma ent langh alle dagen o vervloed igh mede sal te ververren wesen, ende noo wij met d vloot weder ge secondeert worden prinoipael met rijs ende aracq gelijek UËd : ons nu p' de Haes als voorst: trefteltjok gedaen hebben snit er voortaen niet minder vallen maer des neen aalt uijt noot door ona flelfs al *t elckens weder moeten opgegeten worden, ende nooijtter tlegen mogen streoken daer ende soo 't wel behoort namentlijok 7oor de heen ende weder varende Comp* s^) hepen 't haenler hoogh- noodige verversinge derhalven bo wel bidden alB dientügh veraoeoken principal : om rijs, &c' BuUcn ons dan als meer geseijt wel voorts maken te behelpen, per memorij, Wij verwonderen ons soer dat de robben vellen ende s^eeeoe* tanden in Japan soo weijnigh  more until we hear otherwise. We trust, however, that those sent per Drake and Kalf, being better conditioned, will secure a fairer trial; the result we await. We have heard nothing from home regarding this matter — the following ships may tell us when the Company believes they will be most profitably sold. A great quantity can be annually secured. In addition to all this, we are also burning bricks, and have finished our second oven of 6,000. Consequently, a serviceable brick-building store has been nearly completed within the fort. All the house inside of it we intend to build in the same way that they may be fireproof. We also, in course of time, intend to cover the front with brick, where the sods now are, well fixed with palisades taken from the Cape forest; so that henceforth we require no material from Batavia, and will be able to help ourselves if we only get rice and arrack, which would save much wine which we have often been obliged to land against our wishes, and which would have been very useful in India. Besides, the garrison and the natives prefer arrack, which is especially necessary to draw on the latter, and as necessary as rice, as the aboriginal stomach is often to be filled if any service is to be expected from that quarter. As a rule, we were badly supplied, so that in consequence the natives were not so eager in coming forward as they would otherwise have done. Rice and arrack — consequently necessary to treat the natives, and to feed our people in their heavy labour. The Hon. Kemp wrote that all his oadjangh had been spoilt, and flown overboard before his arrival at St. Helena. If in J daer doch all eorteringe van vellen eeneomraot Coopman- pJaeg I e weseuj edoob d© wijle 't nu ootttrarie onse raeenige luUeo tot naarder OBtbiedioge geen jneer eenden, eoht«r kopen die p' den Draeok ©nde 't Calff overgeaoilden (beter itioneert wesendej nader prtuve Tan geDomen et de ons j^eonden gal werden ; uijt 't Vatria hebben mede nooh geen ran de beTindinge maer ataen 't met de volgend© cohepen lemen als waum^er Bullen cunnen weten wai^r m (V Ë. 