During the early part of his reign, the office of Yamtuan Muda was held by the powerful Bugis chief, Daeng Kemboja. Mahmud Shah III came of age at a time when Bugis-Dutch trade rivalry was intensifying. He exploited the rivalry by concluding a treaty of protection with VOC on board the Utrecht[2] on 10 November 1784 in which he was accorded the style of 'Most Serene Prince' (Doorlugtigen Vorst).[citation needed]