Inventory 3746
Bengal · 115 pages · 47 segments · open at the Nationaal Archief ↗
English
3030 2 Bengal, Transmitted: 1788. Register of Papers Original separate dispatch from the Director alone to the Gentlemen of the Meeting of the Seventeen, Committee for Secret Affairs, dated 10 January 1788. Original consultation with, and the advice of, Advocate W. Dunkin, concerning the proceedings of the English Governor-General & Council versus H: Halsey regarding the delivery of linens in 178 / along with its translation. Original & translated consultations with the aforementioned Advocate concerning the capture of the Dutch possessions by the English in 1781 and the confiscation of outstanding debts. Ditto contract with said Advocate regarding the institution of legal proceedings by the Dutch against the English Company for compensation of the damages inflicted by the English during the latest war, dated 14 December 1787. Copy & translation of the letter written by the King's Lieutenant Eyre to the former Director Ross, dated 5 July 1781, concerning the orders for the capture of Chinsurah. Ditto, ditto of the order from the Supreme Council of Fort William to Captain C Chatfield to the same effect, dated 3 ditto. Ditto, ditto of a letter written by the Secretary of the English General Government to Director Ross, dated 25 October 1781, containing a request for an account of the circumstances occurring at the capture of the aforementioned place. Ditto, ditto of the reply thereto, dated 29 October 1781, along with a Pro Memorie or account dated 4 July 1783. Second Volume. Register of the letters and papers transmitted from Bengal, 1788. Register of Papers Original separate dispatch from the Director alone to the Gentlemen of the Meeting of the Seventeen, Committee for Secret Affairs, dated 10 January 1788. Original consultation with, and the advice of, Advocate W. Dunkin, concerning the proceedings of the English Governor-General & Council versus H: Halsey regarding the delivery of linens in 1782, along with its translation. Original & translated consultations with the aforementioned Advocate concerning the capture of the Dutch possessions by the English in 1781 and the confiscation of outstanding debts. Ditto contract with said Advocate regarding the institution of legal proceedings by the Dutch against the English Company for compensation of the damages inflicted by the English during the latest war, dated 14 December 1787. Copy & translation of the letter written by the King's Lieutenant Eyre to the former Director Ross, dated 5 July 1781, concerning the orders for the capture of Chinsurah. Ditto, ditto of the order from the Supreme Council of Fort William to Captain C Chatfield to the same effect, dated 3 ditto. Ditto, ditto of a letter written by the Secretary of the English General Government to Director Ross, dated 25 October 1781, containing a request for an account of the circumstances occurring at the capture of the aforementioned place. Ditto, ditto of the reply thereto, dated 29 October 1781, along with a Pro Memorie or account dated 4 July 1783. Second Volume. Register of the letters and papers transmitted from Bengal, 1788. 431 to 432. Register of Papers 433 to 443. Original separate dispatch from the Director alone to the Gentlemen of the Meeting of the Seventeen, Committee for Secret Affairs, dated 10 January 1788. 444 to 450. Original consultation with, and the advice of, Advocate W. Dunkin, concerning the proceedings of the English Governor-General & Council versus H: Halsey regarding the delivery of linens in 178 / along with its translation. 451 to 453. Original & translated consultations with the aforementioned Advocate concerning the capture of the Dutch possessions by the English in 1781 and the confiscation of outstanding debts. 454 to 456. Ditto contract with said Advocate regarding the institution of legal proceedings by the Dutch against the English Company for compensation of the damages inflicted by the English during the latest war, dated 14 December 1787. 457 to 459. Copy & translation of the letter written by the King's Lieutenant Eyre to the former Director Ross, dated 5 July 1781, concerning the orders for the capture of Chinsurah. 460 to 462. Ditto, ditto of the order from the Supreme Council of Fort William to Captain C Chatfield to the same effect, dated 3 ditto. 463 to 464. Ditto, ditto of a letter written by the Secretary of the English General Government to Director Ross, dated 25 October 1781, containing a request for an account of the circumstances occurring at the capture of the aforementioned place. 465 to 466. Ditto, ditto of the reply thereto, dated 29 October 1781, along with 467 to 474. Pro Memorie or account dated 4 July 1783. Second Volume. Register of the letters and papers transmitted from Bengal, 1788. 816. 475 to 479. Copy of the general receipt granted by the English Commissioners Perling, Heatly & Ramus for what was taken by the English in this Directorate, dated 10 April 1782. 480 to 481. Original & translated statement of what the Dutch Company lost in 1781 during the capture of its possessions in Bengal, showing what has been restored, dated 26 November 1787. 482 to 483. Original dispatch from Merchant & Trade Bookkeeper I. Eilbracht to the Meeting of the Seventeen, dated 4 March 1788, along with 484 to 501. various appendices specified in the said letter. 502 to 503. Original dispatch from Junior Merchant & Translator C. L. Eylbracht to the Meeting of the Seventeen, dated 27 January 1788, along with 504 to 508. Petition from the same to the Governor-General & Council. 509 to 510. Ditto to the Meeting of the Seventeen. 511. List of the papers required by him.
Dutch transcription
3030 2 Bengaale Overgek: 1788. Register der Papieren Origineele aparte missive van den Directeur alleen aan de Heeren uit de Verg: van xvij: gecommitteerd tot de Secreete Zaaken in do 10 Jann: 1788. Origineele Consultatie met, en het advis van den Advocaat d¬ W. Dunkin, rakende de Procedures van den Engelschen Gouvernr Genls: & Raad Contra H: Halseij over leverantie van Lynwaaten in 178 / nevens dies Translaat. Origineele & Translaat Consultatien met voorsz. Advocaat betreffende het neemen der Hollandsche Bezittingen door de Engelschen in 1781. en het inpalmen der uijt¬ „staande schulden. dito contract met gem: Advocaat over het en tameeren eener Procedure door de Hollandsche tegens de Engelsche Comp: ter vergoeding van de in den Jongsten oorlog door de Engelsche toegebragte schade indo: 14 Dec: 1787. Copij & Translaat van de door des Konings Luitent: Eijre aan den geweze Directeur Ross. gesz. brieff in do 5 Julij 1781. betreffende de ordres tot het inneemen van Sinsura dito, dito van de order van den Hogen Raad van 't Ford William aan Captein C Chatfield ten zelven einde in dato 3 dito dito, dito van een door den secretaris van 't Engelsch Gent: Gouvernement aan den Directeur Ross. gesch: Brieff en in do 25 October 1781. houdende verzoek om een relaas der omstandigheeden by het neemen van gem: plaats zijnde voorgevallen. 5 dito, dito van het antwoord daar op in d:o 29 Octob: 1781 nevens Pro Memorie of relaas in do: 4 Julij 1783. Tweede Deel. Register der Brieven en Papie ren van Bengale overgekomen 1788. Register der Papieren Origineele aparte missive van den Directeur alleen aan de Heeren uit de Verg: van xvij: gecommitteerd tot de Secreete Zaaken in do 10 Jann: 1788. Origineele Consultatie met, en het advis van den Advocaat d¬ W. Dunkin, zakende de Procedures van den Engelschen Gouvernr: Genl: & Raad Contra H: Halseij over leverantie van Lynwaaten in 178 2/ nevens dies Translaat. Origineele & Translaat Consultatien met voorsz. Advocaat betreffende het neemen der Hollandsche Bezittingen door de Engelschen in 1781. en het inpalmender uijt¬ „staande schulden. dito contract met gem: Advocaat over het en tameeren eener Procedure door de Hollandsche tegens de Engelsche Comp: ter vergoeding van de in den Jongsten oorlog door de Engelsche toegebragte schade indo: 14 Dec: 1787 Copij & Translaat van de door des Konings Luitens: Eijre res aan den geweze Directeur Ross. gesz. brieff in do: 5 Julij 1781. betreffende de ordres tot het inneemen van Sinsura dito, dito van de order van den Hogen Raad van 't Ford William aan Captein C Chatfield ten zelven einde in dato 3 dito dito, dito van een door den secretaris van 't Engelsch Gent: Gouvernement aan den Directeur Ross. gesch: Brieff en in do 25 October 1781. houdende verzoek om een relaas der omstandigheeden by het neemen van gem: plaats zijnde voorgevallen. 5 dito, dito van het antwoord daar op in d:o 29 Octob: 1781 nevens Pro Memorie of relaas in do: 4 Julij 1783. Tweede Deel. Register der Brieven en Papie ren van Bengale overgekomen 1788. 431 a 432. Register der Papieren 433 „ 443. Origineele aparte missive van den Directeur alleen aan de Heeren uit de Verg: van xvij: gecommitteerd tot de Secreete Zaaken in do: 10 Jann: 1788. 444 „ 450. Origineele Consultatie met, en het advis van den Advocaat d„ W. Dunkin, zakende de Procedures van den Engelschen Gouvernr Genls: & Raad Contra H: Halseij over leverantie van Lynwaaten in 178 / nevens dies Translaat. 451 „ 453. Origineele & Translaat Consultatien met voorsz. Advocaat betreffende het neemen der Hollandsche Bezittingen door de Engelschen in 1781. en het inpalmen der uijt¬ „staande schulden. 454 „ 456. dito contract met gem: Advocaat over het en tameeren eener Procedure door de Hollandsche tegens de Engelsche Comp: ter vergoeding van de in den Jongsten oorlog door de Engelsche toegebragte schade indo: 14 Dec: 1787 al 457 „ 459. Copij & Translaat van de door des Konings Luiten: Eijre aan den geweze Directeur Ross. gesz. brieff in do 5 Julij 1781. betreffende de ordres tot het inneemen van Sinsura 460 „ 462. dito, dito van de order van den Hogen Raad van 't Ford William aan Captein C Chatfield ten zelven einde in dato 3 dito res 463 „ 464. dito, dito van een door den secretaris van 't Engelsch Gen: Gouvernement aan den Directeur Ross. gesch: Brieff en in do: 25 October 1781. houdende verzoek om een relaas der omstandigheeden by het neemen van gem: plaats zijnde voorgevallen. 465. „ 466 dito, dito van het antwoord daar op in d:o 29 Octob: 1781 nevens 467 „ 474. Pro Memorie of relaas in do 4 Julij 1783. Tweede Deel. Register der Brieven en Papie ren van Bengale overgekomen 1788. 816. 475 a 479. Copie van de door de Engelsche Commissarissen Peerling Heatly & Ramus verleende generaale recepisse Van 't geen door de Engelsche in deeze Directie ge¬ noomen is in do: 10 April 1782. 480 „ 481. Origineel & Translaat aantooning van 't geen de Nederl Comp: in 1781. bij het inneemen van haare bezittin¬ gen in Bengale verlooren heeft, met aantooning van 't gerestitueerde en do: 26 Novemb: 1787. 482 „ 483. Origineele missive van den koopman & Negotie Boek„ houder I. Eilbracht aan de Verg: van xvij in dato 4 Maart 1788. neevens. diverse Bylagen in gem: Brieff gespecificeert. 484 „ 501. 502 „ 503. Origineele Missive van den Onderkoopman & Trans„ „lateur C. L. Eylbracht aan de Verg: van xiij: in dato 27' Jann: 1788. neevens. Request van denzelve aan Gen: & Raden. dito. . . . dito. . . . . . de Verg: van xvije Lyst van de door hem benodigde Papieren 504 „ 508. 509 „ 510. 511. . . . . . . .
English
Register of Papers which are sent on this day To the Right Honorable Gentlemen Directors Deputed to the Assembly of Seventeen representing the General Netherlands East India Company at the Presidial Chamber Amsterdam, beside a Separate Letter from the undersigned under the present date. No 1. Original Consultation with and the advice of the Lawyer William Dunkin regarding the Proceedings of the English Governor-General and Council against Henry Halsey on account of the Contract entered into by him in the name of Collinaat Moekersja with the Dutch Company for the Delivery of Linens in 178 /; annexed the Translation made thereof. " 2 and 3 Original and Translated Consultations with the aforesaid Mr. Dunkin concerning the taking of our possessions by the English in 1781 and the seizing of the Outstanding debts of the Honorable Company by that Nation. No 4 Original Contract concluded between him, Mr. Dunken, and the undersigned regarding the initiation of a Lawsuit by the Dutch against the English Company for compensation of the damage inflicted upon the first- mentioned in Bengal during the Late War. " 5. Authentic Copy and translation of the letter written by the King's Lieutenant Eyre to the Former Director Ross, dated 5 July 1781, concerning his orders for the capture of Chinsurah. " 6. ditto ditto ditto of the order of the High Council of Fort William to Capt: Charles Chatfield to the same end, dated 3 July 1781. " 7. ditto ditto ditto of a letter written by the secretary of the English General Government to Director Ross, dated 25 October 1781, containing a request for an account of the circumstances that took place at the capture of Chinsurah. " 8. Authentic Copy and Translation of the answer thereto, annexed Pro Memoria with which the above-mentioned account is followed. " 9. ditto ditto of the General receipt granted by the English Commissioners Burling, Heatly & Ramus for that which was taken by the English in this Directorate. " 10. Original brief Demonstration of that which the Netherlands Company lost in the Year 1781 at the capture and overrunning of its possessions in Bengal, with a Demonstration of what has been restituted thereof; annexed the Translation made thereof. Hooghly in Bengal, the 10th of January 1788. Original Patria To the Right Honorable Great Respectable Gentlemen Directors on behalf of the Illustrious Assembly of Seventeen, Appointed and Authorized for Secret Affairs Right Honorable Great Respectable Gentlemen Having endeavored since my arrival in Bengal, by reading through all such papers that have the most important bearing on our former and present situation, to obtain a full understanding of the state of affairs, both concerning our rights and privileges and our condition with respect to the Foreign Nations, primarily the English, who presently play the absolute Master as Sovereigns of the Country, and make all others depend upon their arbitrary orders, I take the liberty, in the hope that your Right Honorable Great Respectable Sirs will please look favorably upon me, without entering into details made common by knowledgeable writers, to remark in passing as a consequence thereof: That to this end, all that has occurred concerning the Establishments of the European Nations in the empire of the Great Mogul, and in particular in the three Provinces of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa, with that which was granted by that Prince from time to time in the enjoyment of their liberties and privileges, both concerning their possessions and the conducting of Trade, from their first arrival in the previous Century until the present, must be distinguished into two Periods. The first began with the arrival of those Nations and lasted until the Year 1756. The second with the year 1756 and continues to the present day. During the First, in the previous Century the Portuguese, Dutch, English, and French, and in this Century the Danes, one Nation after the other, obtained nearly the same liberties of possessions and privileges in trade; only we had the minting privilege above all other Nations, which in later Years was also permitted to the French. All privileges were obtained from the Great Mogul through the repeated dispatch of costly Embassies, and are contained in the successively granted Firmans by the Successors from the lineage of Timur or Tamerlane. Their general contents can be divided into two main grounds, namely: 1st Concerning the designated and obtained lands for the erection of Fortifications or Lodges, the liberty granted therewith for the exercise of full jurisdiction over their own Nations, and to what extent that of minor justice was permitted to them, wholly or in part, over the Native Nations. 2nd Concerning the liberty granted in Trade, namely, the import and export; under what conditions; with what privileges above all other Traders to conduct commerce; as well as the privileges conceded to the European Nations for the convenience of trade inland in general, and concerning that which could lend prestige and luster to that Trade with preference above all other Indian Nations. The viceroys, Governors or Nabobs, and their Naibs and Faujdars in the respective Provinces were commanded by their Sovereign, the Great Mogul, to maintain and protect the respective European Nations in their designated and obtained Lands, with the Lodges erected thereon, and in the Trade to be conducted according to the privileges granted to them, above all other Merchants.
Dutch transcription
231 Register der Papieren welke op heeden versonden worden Aan de WelEdele Hoog Achtbaare Heeren Bewindhebberen Gedeputeerd ter Vergadering van Zee„ ventienen de Generaale Nederland„ „sche Oost Indische Compagnie repre„ „senteerende ter Presidiaale Kamer Amsterdam, nevens Aparte Brief. van den ondergeteekende onder hui„ digen datum. N„o 1. Origineele Consultatie met en het advis van den Advocaat William Dunkin raakende de Procedures van den Engelschen Gouverneur Generaal en Raad Contra Henrij Halsey weegens het door hem op den naam van Collinaat Moekersja met de Hollandsche Compag„ nie aangegaan Contract ter Leverantie van Lynwaaten in 178 /; annex 't daar van gemaakt Translaat. „ 2 en 3 Origineele en Translaat Consultatien met voorsz: Heer Dunkin betreffende het neemen onzer 432 bezittingen door de Engelschen in 1781 en het in„ „palmen der Uitstaande schulden der E Maat„ „schappy door die Natie. N=o 4 Origineel Contract geslooten tusschen hem Heer Dunken en den ondergeteekende raakende het entameeren ee„ „ner Procedure door de Hollandsche teegens de En¬ „gelsche Comp: ter vergoeding van de door de eerst gemelde geduerende de Jongste Oorlog in Ben¬ „gaale toegebrachte schaade. „ 5. Authenticque Copij en translaat van de door den Konings Lieutenant Eijre aan den Geweezene Directeur Rofs geschreevene brief in dato 5 July 1781 betref: „fende zyne orders tot het inneemen van Sinsura„ „ 6: d„o d„o d„o van de ordre van den Hoogen Raad van Fort William aan Capt: Charles Chat„ „field ten zelve eiende gedateerd 3' July 1781. „ 7. d„o d„o d„o van een door den secretaris van het En„ „gelsch Generaal Gouvernement aan den Directeur Rofs geschreeven, brief in dato 25 October 1781 houdende verzoek om een relaas van de omstan„ „digheeden die by het neemen van Sinsura hebben „ 10: Origineele korte Aantooning van het geen de Nederlandsche Comp: in A:o 1781 by het inneemen en over„ „rompelen van haare bezittingen in Ben„ „gaale heeft verlooren met Aantooning wat daar van weder gerestitueert is; an„ „nex 't daar van gemaakte Translaat. Houglij in Bengale den 10e Januarij 1788. 9 d„o d=o No 8. authenticque Copy en Translaat van het antwoord daar op annex Pro Memoria waar by het boven gem: relaas gevolg neemd. d„o van de door de Engelsche Commissaris„ „sen Burling, Heatly & Ramus ver„ „leende Generaale recipisse van het geen er door de Engelsche in deze Directie genomen is. plaats gehad. Ltirgh plaats 24 433 Origineel Patria Aan de Hoog Edele Groot Agtbaare Heeren Bewindhebberen van weegens de Illustre Verga¬ „dering van Seeventienen Gecom„ „mitteerd en Gemagtigd tot de Secree„ „te zaaken Hoog Edele Groot Agtbaare Heeren a mijn komst in Bengale mij beiverd hebbende om door het naleesen van alle zodanige papieren welke op onse voorige en teegenwoordige situatie de gewigtigste be„ „trekking hebben, van de gesteltheid der zaaken een vollee„ „dig begrip t' erlangen, zo omtrend onse regten en privilee„ „gien als onsen toestand ten opsigte der Vreemde Natien, voornaamentlyk der Engelsen, thans als Souverainen van het Land volstrekt den Meester speelenden, en alle anderen van haare wille keurige beveelen doenden afhangen, 434 neem ik de vrijheid, in hoope dat uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtbr= my zulks zullen gelieven ten goede te duijden, ten gevolge daar van zonder my in detailen in te laaten door kundi„ „ge schreiveren gemeen gemaakt, als ter loops aan te merken Dat men daar toe al het voorgevallene omtrend de Eta„ „blissementen der Europeese Natien in het ryk van den Groot Mogol, en in het beisonder in de drie Provincien Bengale Behaar en orixa, met het geen van teid tot teid in het genot. haurer vrijheeden en voorregten zo omtrend haare besittin„ „gen als het dreiven van den Handel, door dien Vorst ver„ „gund, van haare eerste aankomst in de voorige Eeuw tot heede, in twee Seidperken moet onderscheiden. Het eerste begon met de komst dier Natien en duurde tot het Jaar 1756. Het tweede met het jaar 1756. en houd tot heede stand. Geduurende het Eerste, hebben in de voorige Eeuw de Portu¬ „geesen, Neederlanders, Engelsen, en Franssen, en in deeze Eeuw de Deenen de eene Natie na den andere ten naasten bij dezel¬ „ve vrijheeden van besittingen en privileegien in den handel erlangd, alleen hadden wij boove alle andere Natien het munt voorregt, 't geen in laatere Iaaren de Franssen meede vrijstond. Alle voorregten wierden van den Groot Mogol door het herhaald senden van kostbaare Gesantschappen verkreegen, en zyn vervat by de successive verleende Firmans door de Opvolgers uyt het geslagt van Simur of Samerlan. Haare algemeene inhoud kan in twee hoofd gronden werden verdeeld, als 1=e Omtrend de aangeweesene en verkreegene gronden tot oprigting van Vastigheeden of Logies, de daar bij ver„ „gunde vrijheid tot het oeffenen van eene volkoome regts„ „pleeging over hunne eigene Natien, en in hoe verre hen die van het klyne geregt; geheel of ten deele over de Inlandse Natien vrijstond. 2=o Omtrend de verguende vrijheid in den Handel, als, den in een uytvoer: onder welke voorwaarden: met welke voorregten boove alle andere Trafikanten den handel te drijven: Zo meede de aan de Europeese Natien toegestaane voor„ „regten tot gemak van den handel binnens Lands in het alge„ „meen, en omtrend het geen dien Handel met voorkeur boove alle andere Indise Natien aansien en luijster kon bijsetten. De onderkooningen, Gouverneurs of Nababs, en haare Naibs en Thousdaars in de respective Provincien wierden van hunnen Souverain, den Groot Mogol, gelast, de res„ „pective Europeese Natien in haare aangeweesene en ver„ „kreegene Gronden met de aldaar opgerigte Logies, en in de te dreivene Handel na de hen vergunde voorregten, boove alle andere Handelaaren te moeten maintineeren en
English
to maintain. From this it followed naturally that the Nabab of the Province was immediately the person upon whom the execution of the orders of the Great Mogol, and the peaceful enjoyment of the liberties and privileges contained in the Firmans, depended; therefore, the Nababs and their sub-governors or Phousdaars in the various Provinces were kept as friends from time to time by all European Nations through substantial gifts, in proportion to the importance of their trade, according to whether their generous or greedy nature required it. Since, according to the Eastern arbitrary form of government, a change among these officials usually took place every three years, though often sooner, the Chiefs of the European Nations were constantly dependent upon the notions of the new land rulers and their avaricious practices, which continually gave rise to disputes and differences. Since the peaceful enjoyment of the privileges granted by the Fermans now depended entirely on the goodwill of the Nababs, against whose violations redress could only be sought through tedious and expensive Embassies to the Mogol Court at Dilly, they chose to take the least costly route, all the more so because they often realized how little influence any complaints at Court had, due to the powerful protection which the said Nababs, favorites of one minister or another, enjoyed there. They therefore sought to keep both them and their Phousdaar in good humor through large presents, which also had such a desired effect that often, depending on the value of its expenditures, more liberty was granted to one of the European Nations than was specified in the Firmans, which then over time became a custom, and finally a permanent practice. In the previous century and at the beginning of this century, the Mogol Government was still in full splendor, and the Nababs feared their Sovereign; as the same was weakened by the terrifying disturbances that continually followed one another, the Nababs increased more and more in power, and finally established the succession in their Government and offices, previously dependent on the arbitrary will of the Mogol Prince, in their Families, or, finding a Rival, the dignity of Nabab fell to the strongest. While the honorary authority of the Mogol Throne, occupied until now by the direct descendants of Timur or Tamerlane, is also recognized to this day by all the Nababs or viceroys in the respective Provinces of the Empire, which lineage of Timur is regarded by them as almost sacred, although they revere him, now almost without land and power, by comparison, as a queen bee in the hive, while each of the Nababs is an actual Sovereign in his own Province, who is constantly entangled in wars to maintain himself therein; and because according to Eastern customs the consent and confirmation of the Great Mogol in Optima forma is required to make oneself properly respected, it remained their custom to request the same from the Delly Court through costly Embassies and heavy presents, which were never refused to the strongest, lest by such a refusal the shadowy authority disappear at the same time as the gifts that had been sent. According to the statecraft of the Mogol Princes, everything that actually pertained to the government and administration of the Province belonged under the Nabab; all that pertained to the collection of the country's revenues and tolls belonged to the Dewan, the second person of the Province, and entirely independent of the Nabab, which in the beginning had a good effect in restraining the ambition of the Nababs; both were subject to the despotic authority of the Sovereign. The influence of the Mogol government weakening through continuous troubles, the Nababs in the Provinces gradually also assumed supreme authority over the Dewaans, and consequently over the country's revenues, until at last, through the complete inability of the Delly Princes to punish their usurpations, they drew the same entirely to themselves; however, as far as the formal and ceremonial aspects were concerned, everything remained on the footing customary of old, and proceeded in the name of the Mogol. In the year 1756, with which the second period begins, Bengal was ruled by a Viceroy or Nabab as described above. We, who from the beginning had always conducted the most considerable trade among all European Nations in the Provinces of Bengal, Behaar, and Orixa, were also, as the Mogol Government weakened and the power of the Nababs increased, constantly plagued by the latter with monetary extortions, or thwarted in the enjoyment of our Privileges; the papers up to that time provide a multitude of examples serving as the most convincing proof thereof. To hope for redress from the Sovereign was fruitless; complaints without heavy expenditures could find no acceptance with the Nababs; the great divisions and internal troubles caused other means to be considered; people began to open their eyes regarding the conduct of our Competitors, a shadowy prospect of that which one in the
Dutch transcription
435 voorstaan. Hier uyt volgde van zelf, dat de Nabab der Provincie onmiddelyk de Persoon was van wien de uytvoering der or¬ „ders van den Groot Mogol, en het gerust genot der vrijhee„ „den en voorregten by de Firmans vervat, afhing, der„ „halven wierden de Nababs, en haare onder Gouverneurs of Phousdaars in de verschillende Provincien door alle Euro¬ „peese Natien na maate van het belang haares Handels, van teid tot teid door aansienlijke geschenken te vriend gehou„ „den, na dat hunne Edelmoedige of vrekke in borst zulks vereischte: daar na de Oosterse willekeurige regeerings form gewoonlyk om de drie Jaaren, dog dikwils vroeger, onder deeze Amptenaaren verandering plaats had, waaren de Hoofden der Europeese Natien geduurig van de begrippen der Nieuwe Lands regenten en haare Schraapsugtige be„ „dreiven afhangenden, het geen aanhoudend tot twisten en verschillen aanleiding gaf. wyl nu het gerust genot der voorregten by de Fermans vergund volstrekt van de goede wil der Nababs afhing, tee„ „gen welker schending niet dan door lang weilige en kost„ „baare Gesantschappen na het Mogolse Hof te Dilly redres was te soeken, verkoos men den minst kostbaare weg in te slaan, te eerder, wyl men dikwils ontwaarde van hoe wei„ „nig invloed alle klagten ten Hoove waaren, door de vermo„ „gende bescherming welke gemelde Nababs, gunstelingen van den een of ander minister, aldaar genooten, men tragte daarom zo wel hen als haare Phousdaar door groote vereeringen in een goede luijm te houden, het geen ook van zulk eene gewenste uytwerking was dat veelmaals aan een der Europeese Natien na de waarde, zij„ „ner spendatien meerder vrijheid wierd vergund als by de Firmans was bepaald, het geen dan door den teid tot een gewoonte, en ten laaste tot een permanent gebruijk wierd. In de voorige en in het begin deezer Eeuw was de Mogol„ „se Regeering nog in volle luyster, ende Nababs vreesden hunnen Gouverein, na maate dezelve door de verschrik„ „kende beroertens die geduurig als elkander gevolgden wierd verswakt, naamen de Nababs meer en meer in magt toe, en vestigden ten laaste de opvolging in hunne Regeering en bedieningen, te voore van de willekeur des Mogolse Vorst afhangende, in hunne Familien, of, een Meede„ „dinger vindenden, viel de waardigheid van Nabab den sterkste ten deel, Daar het honorair gesag van den Mogolsen Troon tot nu toe door de directe afstammelin„ „gen van Simur of Tamerlan bekleed, ook tot heede door alle de Nababs of onder kooningen in de respective Pro„ „vincien van het Ryk word erkend, welk geslagt van Si„ „mur door hen eeve als heilig word beschouwd, Schoon „gende, 436 zy hem, thans schier zonder land en magt, by vergelijking, als een Koning in de by en korf vereeren, terwyl ider der Na„ „babs een weesentlijk Souverein in zyn eige Provincie is, die om zig daar in te handhaaven geduurig in oorloogen is gewikkeld; en door dien na de Oosterse gebruyken de toestemming en bevestiging van den groot Mogol in Opti„ „ma forma word vereischt om Zig na behoore te doen res„ „pecteeren, bleef het by hen in gebruijk, door kostbaare Ge„ „santschappen en Zwaare vereeringen dezelve van het Dellyse Hof te versoeken, welke nimmer aan den sterkste wierd geweigerd, om door zodanig eene weigering het scha„ „duwagtig gesag met de toegesondene geschenken met te gelijk te sien verdwainen. Na de staad kunde der Mogolse Vorsten behoorde al het geen werkelijk tot de regeering, en het bestier der Provin „cie betrekking had, onder den Nabab: al wat tot het in„ „vorderen van 's Lands revenuen en tollen specteerde, tot den Dewan, de tweede persoon der Provincie, en volstrekt van den Nabab onafhankelyk, 't geen in den beginne van goede uytwerking was, om de heers zugt der Nababs in te too„ „men: beide waaren aan het dispotig gesag van den Pou „verein onderworpen. De invtoed der Mogolse regeering door aanhoudende troubles verswakkende: maatigden de Nababs zig in de Provincien ook allenks het Oppergesag over de Dewaans, en gevolgelyk over 's lands inkomsten aan, tot dat zy ten laas„ „ten door de volslaage onmagt der Dellijse Vorsten om haare insurpatien te straffen, dezelve geheel onder zig trokken, wat het formeele en Ceremonieele egter aanging, bleef alles op de Voet van ouds gebruykelyk, en ging op naam van den Mogol voort. In het jaar 1756, met het welk het tweede teid perk begind, wierd Bengale door een Onderkooning of Nabab als boove beschreeve, bestierd. Wij die van den beginne af in de Provincien Bengale, Be„ „haar en Orixa onder alle Europeese Natien steeds den aansienlyksten handel hadden gedreeven, wierden ook, na maate de Mogolse Regeering verswakte, en de magt der Nababs toenam, door de laasten steeds met geld afpersin„ „gen gekweld, of in het genot onser Crivileegien gedwars boomd, „de papieren tot die teid, leeveren een meenigte voorbeelden op daar van ten overtuigendste beweise strekkenden. Op redres van den Souverain te hoopen was vrugteloos; klagten zonder zwaare spendatien konden by de Nababs geen ingang vinden; de groote verdeeltheeden en inlandse troubles deeden op andere middelen bedagt zyn, men begon de oogen omtrent het gedrag onser Competiteuren te oope„ „nen, een schaduwagtig verschiet van het geen men in der ƒ
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lay the foundation for an undertaking which, although resting upon a well-reasoned plan, through fatalities of which it is best not to revive the memory, in the outcome brought us into even worse circumstances and even to that humiliation of having to request those who caused us all this harm to act as mediators with the Nabab; whereupon, after having had to undergo manifold vexations, a convention took place between the commissioners of the English as well as the Nabab Iaffer alij Chan Souja ul Molk Bhadur on the one side, and our deputies on the other side, and a preliminary peace treaty was signed on 2 Dec: 1759, from which day onward all hostilities and acts of violence ceased, subsequently leading to a provisional peace treaty being concluded with the Nawab on 3 Dec:, which on 23 aug: 1760 was converted into a definitive peace treaty, the conditions of which were signed on the following 22 Sept: by the Governor and Council of Fort William as guarantors; after having subjected ourselves to the most humiliating conditions, it was stipulated by that treaty that we shall be supported in all our rights, liberties, and privileges granted to us by Firmans of the Mogol, and our trade in all articles whatsoever, except in saltpetre, which was granted by the Nabab to the English alone to the exclusion of all others, would be carried on freely and undisturbed in the three provinces, Bengale Behaaren orixa, pursuant to several Firmans obtained by us. Under this definitive treaty one found the following wording. In Fort William the 22 September 1760. The above-mentioned articles, being duly ratified by the Nabab on the one side and on the other side by the Director and Council of Chinsura, are now signed by us, the Governor and Council of Fort William, as guarantors. The actual government of the Great Mogol was at that time so weakened that the Nawabs in their provinces were completely sovereign, or let me rather say the English hiding under their mask, the Mogol alone being still recognized as a nominal and honorary sovereign. The content of the aforesaid peace treaty serves as an irrefutable proof thereof, as well as that the Nawab confirms and ratifies to the Dutch Company its liberties obtained by the Firmans of the Great Mogol, and also that the Nabab, who appears and acts in this treaty as Sovereign of Bengale, by the conclusion of the same by the Dutch and English nations is recognized and paid homage to as Sovereign Prince of Bengale. The disturbances that were incessantly stoked throughout the entire empire by many rivals, and the precarious power of the Nababs, as unable to maintain themselves in their usurpations, caused them to be mindful of foreign help: since we, by virtue of the aforesaid treaty, were stripped of all power, and the door to introducing it was closed to us for the future, they could only turn to the English; the latter, making all means whatsoever serve the attainment of their political objectives, and never losing sight of their long-cherished plan for a general conquest, were immediately ready with assistance, obtaining in reward therefor the most favorable conditions and considerable revenues: the most solemn treaties entered into with one were broken upon the flimsiest pretexts after a few months, and another established upon the throne, who in turn was forced into new sacrifices, through all of which maneuvers they finally established themselves so firmly in Bengaale, and obtained such a dominating influence upon the Mogol government, that at last the Dewanie in the three provinces Bengale Behaar and orixa was ceded to them forever by the Great Mogol Thah allum by Firman of 12 aug: 1765, provided they paid him a fixed annual sum. Through obtaining the Dewanie, or the right to collect and manage the revenues of the country, they were not only enabled always to maintain considerable armies, but also assumed such an unlimited power that they must absolutely be regarded as masters and lords in these regions, although to this day they wish to be known to the European powers in no other light than as Dewaan of the Mogol; and wish to make the Nabab appear as Sovereign of Bengaale, who, however, depends so completely upon their arbitrary will that only a shadowy authority remains to him: his subjection appears from the humiliating greeting which he, together with his vizier, was obliged to make in Calcatta upon the arrival of the Governor-General Earl of Cornwallis in the previous year. Since our power in Bengaale was limited by the 5th article of the aforesaid peace treaty solely to 125 Europeans, thus not able to ward off any violence, indeed scarcely to stand up against a band of vagabonds (Decoits), we had, for the freedom and safety of our valuable trade, no other protection and security than
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437 teid zou kunnen zyn, lag de grondslag tot eene ondernee„ „ming, die schoon op een wel beredeneerd plan berustende, door fataliteiten van welken het best is, de geheugenisse niet te verleevendigen, ons by de uytkomst nog in slimmer omstandigheeden en zelf tot die verneedering bragt, om hen die ons al dit kwaad berokkenden, nog tot Bemidde„ „laers by den Nabab te moeten aansoeken, waar op dan ook na veelvuldige verdrietelykheeden te hebben moeten ondergaan, een Conventie tussen de Commissarissen der En„ „gelsen als meede den Nabab Iaffer alij Chan Souja ul Molk Bhadur ter eenre, en onse Gedeputeerdens ter andere Zeide plaats greep, en een preliminair vreedens verdrag den 2 Dec: 1759 geteekend wierd, van welke dag af alle daadelykheeden en vijandelijkheeden Cesseerden, werdende vervolgens een provisioneel vreedens tractaat den 3 Dec: met de Nawab getroffe, 't geen den 23 aug: 1760 in een definitief vreedens tractaat wierd verkeerd, waar van de Voorwaarden den 22 Sept: daar aan door den Gouver„ „neur en raad van het Fort William als guarandeurs getee„ „kend zyn; Na ons aan de verneederendste Conditien te heb„ „ben onderworpen, wierd by dat Tractaat bedonge, dat wij in alle onse regten, vrijheeden en privileegien ons by Fir„ „mans van den Mogol verleend, zullen werden ondersteund, en onse handel in alle articulen hoe genaamd, excepto in In het Fort William den 22 September 1760. De actueele Regeering van den Groot Mogol was in dat teidstip zoo verswakt, dat de Nawabs in hunne Provin„ „cien volkoome Souverain waaren, op laat ik liever seggen de Engelsen onder haar masker schuylenden, alleen wierd de Mogol nog als nominair en honordir souverain erkend. De inhoud van het voormelde vreedens tractaat strekt daar van tot een onweederspreekelyk bewijs, zoo meede dat de Nawab aan de Neederlandse Compagnie haare by de Hirmans van den groot Mogol verkreegene vrijheeden, bevestigd, en ratificeerd, en teffens dat de Nabab die by dit Tractaat als Souverain van Bengale voorkomt en ageerd, Booven gemelde articulen behoorlyk geratificeert zynden door de Nabab ter Eenre en ter andere Zeide door den Direc„ „teur en Raad van Chinsura worden nu onderteekend door ons den Gouverneur en Raad van Fort William als qua„ „randeurs. Salpeeter door de Nabab met uytsluyting van alle anderen aan de Engelsen alleen toegestaan, in de drie Provincien, Bengale Behaaren orixa in gevolge verscheide door ons verkreegene Firmans, vrij en ongestoord zou werden gedreeve. Onder dit difinitie / tractaat vond men de volgende bewoordingen. Salpeeter 438 door het sluyten van het zelve door de Neederlandse en Engelse Natien als Souverain Vorst van Bengale word erkenden hulde beweese. De beroertens die zonder ophouden in het Geheele ryk door veele meede dingers wierden aangestookt, ende pre„ „caire magt der Nababs, als niet bestand zig zelf in haa„ „re usurpatien te hand haaven, deed hen op Vreemde hulp bedagt zyn: daar wy uytkragte van het voormelde Trac„ „taat van alle magt ontbloot waaren, ende deur voor ons tot het invoeren daar van voor het vervolg gesloote was, konden zy zig alleen by de Engelsen vervoegen; Deeze alle middelen hoe ook genaamd ter bereiking haarer staad„ „kundige oogmerken doenden strekken, en nimmer haar lang gekoesterd plan tot eene algemeene overheersching uyt het oog verliesenden, waaren daadelyk tot bijstand vaar„ „dig, daar voor de allergunstigste voorwaardens en aan„ „sienlyke inkomsten ter belooning erlangenden: de plegtig„ „ste verbonden met den eene aangegaan wierden op de nietigste voorwendsels na weinige maanden verbrooken, en een ander op de troon gevestigd, die daar voor weeder tot nieuwe op offeringen gedwonge wierd, door alle welke menees zy zig eindelyk zoo vast in Bengaale vestigden, en Zulk een overheerschende in vloed op de Mogolse Regeering verkreegen, dat hen ten laaste door den Groot Mogol Thah allum by Firman van 12 aug: 1765 voor altoos de Dewanie in de drie Provincien Bengale Behaar en orixa wierd afgestaan, mits hem Jaarlyks een bepaald tantum betaalenden. Door het erlangen van de Dewanie, of het regt tot het in„ „vorderen en bestieren van 's Lands Inkomsten zyn zy niet alleen in staat gesteld steeds aansienlyke leegers te onder„ „houden, maar hebben zig ook zulk een onbepaalde magt aangemaatigd, dat zy volstrekt als Heeren en Meesters in deeze Gewesten moeten werden beschouwd, Schoon zy tot heede by de Europeese Moogenheeden in geen ander ligt dan als Dewaan van den Mogol willen bekend staan; en den Nabab als Souverain van Bengaale willen doen voorkoomen, die egter zo volstrekt van hunne willekeur afhangd, dat hem alleen een schaduwagtig gesag overblijft: zyne onderwerping blijkt uyt de verneederende begroeting die hy neevens zyn Visier bij de komst van den Gouverneur Generaal Grave van Corn„ „wallis in het voorige jaar gehoude was op Calcatta te doen. Daar onse magt in Bengaale bij het 5:e articul van het voormelde vreedens tractaat alleen op 125 Europeesen was be„ „paald, dus niet tot het afkeeren van eenig geweld bestand, Ja naauwlyks om een bende Landloopers (Decoits / het hoofd te bieden, hadden wy voor de vryheid en vyligheid van onsen kostbaare handel, geene andere bescherming en zeekerheid dan
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the protection of the Nabob and the guarantee of the English. It was therefore seen with the utmost astonishment on the 15 July 1781 when the War in Europe had broken out in the month Dec: of the previous Year, the Governor General and Council of Fort William, the guarantors against all attempts by the Nabob on our rights and privileges, the guarantors of our freedom and safety in trade, violently attacked us, besieged and demanded our defenseless Fort, occupied with only 24 Europeans and 60 Sepoys, after the conclusion of the Treaty without defense, and in safety under their guarantee, by their troops, took away everything belonging to the Dutch Company in these regions, even appropriating by force throughout all the provinces the linens for which one had contracted with private Merchants on advanced funds: Whereas on the aforementioned grounds one thought oneself completely safe under the English Guarantee, indeed as peaceful and secure as a Dutch Merchant's house in London, one could, being in no state of defense, do nothing other than bow to the superior force of the Governor and Council of Fort William: what seems strange to me, however, is that the Ministry of that time did not immediately reclaim that protection and safety by a letter from the Nabob, to which we had an indisputable right both by virtue of the Firmans granted to us by the Mughal Princes and by virtue of the ratification and confirmation thereof in the concluded peace treaty of 23 aug:s 1760: perhaps one was kept back from this out of apprehension for the consequences that the displeasure of the English over such a step could drag behind it. The untenability of these actions of the English government and at the same time the seizure of all goods remaining with private merchants long after the surrender of the Lodge, which should also have obligated them to satisfy our debts, has, since my arrival, raised many reflections in me, and given occasion, speaking with some of my Friends in Calcutta concerning this and that, to present to them my thoughts on the invalidity of this conduct; Some among them assured me in confidence that to the Government and to many private individuals themselves this manner of acting had not appeared entirely regular, but that they had proceeded on the grounds of needing the money in those Critical times, that consequently they had also appropriated the goods, saying that if a dispute arose over it afterward, and the Company were called upon for restitution, it could suffice with the payment in the event of a ruling to its disadvantage; in particular I betook myself with my grievances to the present Advocate General Mr. Duncan, with whom I was very closely associated: after having considered the grounds upon which I thought that the English Company could be called upon for restitution, he told me that he, along with many of his Friends, had been surprised that the Dutch Company made no moves regarding what had occurred in Bengal during the Late War, that the same had an indisputable right to claim Compensation for damages, that the appeal to the English guarantee of our privileges and freedom in trade could be eluded by what appears in the definitive treaty with the Nabob of the 23 aug: 1760, where under article 5 it is said. The aforesaid commissioners on the part of the Director and Council of Chinsura, renew, confirm, and ratify hereby all the conditions accepted by them in the Treaty concluded between the English Commissioners as well as the Nabob on the one part, and the Director and Council of Hooghly on the other part on the 3rd Dec: 1759. In which Treaty of the 3 Decb: 1759 it indeed explicitly states in the reply to the 2nd article. so long as the friendship continues between both our sovereigns in Europe; yet that there were surer and more indisputable grounds upon which the Compensation for damages would undoubtedly be obtained, professing himself willing to undertake that matter, that he, already at my first conversation in 1785 had made his reflections upon it, and consulted on it with the most knowledgeable jurists in England, upon whose advice he by no means doubted a good outcome, that he would give me in writing the grounds upon which his opinion rested, so that I, after having maturely considered the same, could judge their value, and then make a decision whether or not to pursue the matter. In consequence thereof he sent me the papers accompanying this along with the translations under No 1, 2, and 3, however much I agreed with the solidity of the grounds laid by him as a basis, I deemed it too dangerous without authorization to involve the Company in such lawsuits, which, without a certain prospect of success, could run it into enormous costs, with heartache I made known to him my inability, and how in this case my hands were tied: seeing that nothing was to be accomplished by this, and yet assured of the good outcome of his case; he proposed to me to make a mutual Contract, by which he on his part would bind himself to take upon himself the Claim of the Company for compensation of damages on account of what was lost in Bengal during the Late war against the English Company, either in person, or through
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439 de protectie van den Nabab en de guarantie der Engelsen. Men zag daarom met de uyterste verbaasing op den 45 July 1781 wanneer de Oorlog in Europa in de maand Dec: des voorige Jaars was uytgebrooke, den Gouverneur Gene„ „raal en Raad van het Fort William, de guarandeurs teege alle tentamens van den Nabab op onse regten en pri¬ „vileegien, de guarandeurs van onse vryheid en veiligheid in den handel, ons geweldiger weise aanvallen, ons weerloos Fort alleen met 24 Europeesen en 60 Sipais beset, na het sluyten van het Tractaat sonder defensie, en onder haare guarantie in zeekerheid, door haare troupen insluyten en opeisschen, hen alles wat de Neederlandse Compagnie in dee„ „ze gewesten behoorde weg neemen, Ja zelf de lywaden waar voor men op geavanceerde gelden met particuliere Kooplieden had gecontracteerd, door alle de provincien zig met geweld toe eigenen: Daar men zig uyt hoofde voor„ „meld onder de Engelse Guarantie volkoome veilig, Ja zoo gerust en zeeker dagt als een Neederlands Koopmans huys in London, kon men, buyte staat van de fensie zynde, niets anders doen, dan voor de overmagt van den Gouverneur en Raad van het Fort William te bukken: wat my egter vreemd voorkomt, is, dat het toenmaalig Ministerie niet terstond by een brief van den Nabab die protectie en veiligheid heeft gere„ „clameert, tot welke wy en uyt hoofde der Firmans ons door de Mogolse Vosten verleenden uyt hoofde van de ratifica„ „tie en bevesting der selven by het gesloote vreedens tractaat van 23 aug:s 1760. een onbetwistbaar regt hadden: mogelyk is men hier van te rug gehoude, uyt bedugting voor de ge„ „volgen die het misnoege der Engelsen over zulk een stap konden na zig sleepen. De onbestaanbaarheid deeser handelingen van het Engels gouvernement en teffens het aanslaan van alle goederen lang na overgaave van de Loge onder particuliere kooplie„ „den berustenden, 't geen hen ook tot voldoening onser schul„ „den moest hebben verpligt, heeft by my, van myn komst af, veele bedenkingen doen opkoomen, en aanleiding gegeeven met zommige myner Vrienden in Calcutta nopens dit een en ander spreekende, hen myne gedagten over de in validiteid van dit gedrag voor te houden; Eenige onder hen verzeekerden my in vertrouwe, dat by het Gouvernement en bij veele par„ „ticulieren zelf deeze handelweise niet geheel reegelmaatig was voorgekoome, dog dat men had voortgegaan op gronden van het geld in die Critique teiden te zyn benoodigd, dat men ten gevolge zig ook de goederen had toegeeigend, seggenden, dat indien er naderhand verschil over ontstond, en de Com„ „pagnie tot restitutie wierd aangesprooke, zy by een uytspraak ten haare nadeele met de betaaling kon volstaan; in het bei„ „sonder heb ik mij met mine bezwaaren vervoegd bij den de, 440 teegenwoordigen advocaat Generaal de Heer Duncan met wien ik zeergelieerd was: na de gronden op welken ik vermeen„ „de dat de Engelse Compagnie tot restitutie kon werden aangesprooke te hebben overwoogen, seide hy my, met vee„ „le zyner Vrienden verwonderd te zyn geweest dat de Nee„ „derlandse Compagnie omtrend, het geexteerde in Bengaale by de Jongste Oorlog geene beweegingen maakte, dat dezelve tot reclaame van Schaaver Goeding een onbetwist baar regt had, dat de beroeping op der Engelse guarantie van onse voor„ „regten en vrijheid in de handel kon werden g'eludeerd door het geen by het definitief tractaat met den Nabab van den 23 aug: 1760 voorkomt, waar onder articul 5 word gesegd. De voorz: gecommitteerdens van weegens den Directeur en Raad van Chinsura, vernieuwen, bevestigen; en ratificee„ „ren mits deeze alle de voorwaardens by hen aangenoomen in het Tractaat gesloote tusse de Engelse Commissarissen als meede den Nabab ter Eenre, en den Directeur en raad van Hougli ter andere zeide op den 3„' Dec: 1759. By welk Tractaat van den 3 Decb: 1759 wel uytdrukkelijk in de beantwoording van het 2:e articul staat. zoo lang de vriendschap standhoud tussen onse beide sou„ „verainen in Europa dog dat er zeekerder en onbetwistbaar„ „der gronden waaren op welke de Schaavergoeding ontwijf„ „selbaar zou werden erlangd, betuigende, hyj bereedwillig te zyn, die zaak te onderneemen, dat hy, reeds by myn eerste gesprek in 1785 zyne bedenkingen daar op had gemaakt, en met de kundigste regtsgeleerden in Engelander over geraadpleegd, op welker advies hy geensints aan een goe„ „de uytslag twyffelde, dat hy de gronden op welken zyn gevoele beruste mij by geschrift zou opgeeven, dat ik na dezelven reipelyk te hebben overwoogen, over haa„ „re waarde kon oordeelen, en als dan een besluyt neemen die zaak al of niet door te setten. Ten gevolge van dien sond hy my de papieren deeze neevens de translaaten onder N=o 1, 2 en 3 versellenden, hoe zeer ik de soliditeid der gronden door hem ten basis gelegd toestemde, oordeelde ik het te gevaarlyk ongequali„ ficeert de Compagnie in zodanige proceduures in te wikke„ „len, die haar, zonder een zeeker uytsigt van succes, op enor„ „me kosten konden Jaagen, met hart zeer gaf ik hem mijn on„ „vermooge te kenne, en hoe mij in dit geval de handen ge„ „bonden waaren: siende dat hier door niets was uyt te wer„ „ken, en segter van de goede uytslag zyner zaak verseekerd; sloeg hy my voor een onderling Contract te maaken, by het welk hy zig van zyn kant zou verbinden den Eisch der Compagnie tot schaavergoeding weegens het verloorene in Bengaale by den Jongste oorlog teegen de Engelse Com„ „pagnie op zig te neemen, het zij in persoon, dan wel door
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441 whom he would appoint for that purpose in London; that in the event the proceedings were decided to his disadvantage, and the Dutch Company was judged not entitled to obtain compensation, then all the expenses of the proceedings, under whatever name, would be for his account, without the Dutch Company, or I in my private capacity, being liable for even the slightest payment. That I, on the other hand, in the name of the Company, for all such monies as might be recovered by it from the English Company as compensation for what was lost in Bengaale, had to promise and assure him, both for his labor and for the expenses to be borne, a net amount of forty per cent, whether the matter were settled by judicial verdict, compromise, or otherwise. However acceptable the proposal appeared to me to undertake those proceedings without any risk or expense to the Dutch Company, I was deterred by the enormous demand of forty per cent. We held frequent conferences on this matter, in which he detailed to me how costly legal proceedings in England were; how he, being strictly obliged to settle his affairs, had to remain in these regions for another year, and had to employ the most distinguished and capable lawyers in London; that one could not foresee how long those proceedings might be dragged out; that in the meantime all the costs remained for his account; and that it was in the highest degree equitable that, in proportion to the risk to which he exposed himself and the surrender of his present livelihood, which was substantial, in pursuit of something uncertain, he should also be fairly rewarded. After tedious debates we finally agreed that he, from all the monies which the Dutch Company might recover from the English Company as reparation for the damage in Bengaale during the taking possession of its possessions, whether by judicial verdict, compromise, or otherwise, should receive twenty-five per cent, without the same being bound to the payment of any other monies, whether for himself or for his employees, under whatever name; all of which is expressed in detail in the attached Contract under No 4. Furthermore, it was stipulated between us in this regard that he would provide himself in Calcutta with all papers and documents, both in the case of Halseij before the English Court of Justice, as well as the opinions of the judges, the counsels of the legal experts, and many other records that relate to the transactions at that time, all properly authenticated, while I on my part would provide him with 442 all the papers that could serve to verify and claim this compensation, of all of which copies are annexed hereto under No 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10. That when he has all the aforementioned papers in order, he shall transmit the same to two of the most knowledgeable legal experts in London, instructing them to consider maturely the reasons and motives upon which he bases his action; and finding that the same are fully grounded, and that the matter may be undertaken with confidence, that then one of them, or indeed a trusted person in their name, shall cross over to Holland, and at the Assembly of Your Right Honourable Grand Worships present a copy of this letter, together with the documents upon which they wish to institute their action, for reconsideration. That if Your Right Honourable Grand Worships, after evaluating the same, consent to the entering into of these proceedings, they shall immediately initiate the matter; but if Your Right Honourable Grand Worships, contrary to all expectation, should find this ill-advised and should not be pleased to grant their consent thereto, that then this entire negotiation shall be regarded as null and of no value, he declaring that he has full confidence that, after the disclosure of his grounds, the same will not subsequently be undertaken by anyone else. Furthermore, he showed me that he had already committed himself in Calcutta to many expenditures in order to obtain all the required authenticated documents, which expenses he was unable to bear if the matter had no sequel; that Your Right Honourable Grand Worships, on the grounds of my declared lack of authority to bind the Company to pay such expenses without Their Highest authorization, might refuse payment, and he therefore desired some security regarding this. I have therefore agreed with him that, should it unexpectedly happen that Your Right Honourable Grand Worships did not wish to proceed in pursuing compensation and undertaking these proceedings, and might refuse payment of the monies disbursed before Their Highest approval was obtained, on the grounds that without their prior orders and consent I was not permitted to expose the Company to such compensations, that I shall then pay those expenditures from my private purse, provided they do not amount to more than a sum of Five thousand Sicca rupees. Having acquired too much experience not to be convinced of how dangerous it is to entrust matters of so much importance to many people, I felt obliged to disclose this only to the Secretary Wiman and First Clerk van den Broeck, as strictly
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441 die hy daar toe in London zou benoemen, dat ingevalle de proceduuren ten zynen nadeele wierden uytgeweesen, ende Neederlandse Compagnie tot het erlangen van schaa„ „vergoeding niet bevoegd geoordeeld, als dan alle de ongel„ „den der proceduuren, onder welke benaaming ook, tot zij „nen laste zouden koomen, zonder dat de Neederlandse Compagnie, of ik in myn prive, tot eenige de geringste vol„ „doening aanspreekelyk zou zyn:/ Dat ik daar en teegen in naam der Compagnie van alle zodanige gelden als door haar tot Schaavergoeding voor het verloorene in Bengaa„ „le van de Engelse Compagnie zouden werden gerecourreert, hem moest toeseggen en verseekeren zo voor zyne arbeid als te draagene ongelden, een zuyver tantum van veertig ten honderd, het zy die zaak by geregtelyke uytspraak, Com„ „promis als anderzints wierd afgemaakt. Hoe aanneemelyk my de voorslag scheen om die proce¬ „duures zonder eenige resico of lasten van de Neederland, „se Compagnie t' onderstaan, wierd ik door de enorme Eisch van Veertig ten honderd afgeschrikt, wij hebben hier over veelvuldige Conferentien gehouden, in welke hij my een detail deed hoe kostbaar de regtspleegingen in En„ „geland waaren, hoe hy, volstrekt verpligt zynde tot ree„ „geling zyner zaaken nog een Jaar in deeze Gewesten te ver„ „toeven, de aansienlykste en bekwaamste advocaaten in London moest te werk stellen, dat men niet kon voorsien hoe lang die proceduures konden werden gerekt, dat intussen alle de kosten tot zyn laste bleeven, en het ten hoogste billijk was dat hy na maate van de risico aan welke hy zig bloodstelde; en het opgeeven van zyn teegenwoordig bestaan dat aansien„ „lyk was, tot bejaaging van iets wisselvalligs, ook eeven ree„ „dig wierd beloond: na langweilige debatten zyn wij ten laaste over eengekoomen, dat hy van alle de gelden die de Neederlandse Compagnie tot goedmaking der schaade in Ben„ „gaale by het besit neemen haarer Possessien door de En„ „gelse Compagnie van de zelve het zy bij geregtelijke uyt¬ „spraak, Compromis, als anderzints, mogt recouvreeren, zou genieten vyf en twintig ten honderd, zonder dat dezel„ „ve tot voldoening van eenige andere gelden het zij voor hem zelve of zyne geemploijeerdens onder welke benaaming ook zou verbonde zyn, alles omstandig uijtgedrukt bij het hier neevens gevoegd Contract onder N:o 4. Verders is tussen ons ten dien opsigte bepaald, dat hy zig op Calcutta zou voorzien van alle stukken en documen„ „ten, zoo in de zaak van Halseij voor het Engels Geregts Hoff, als de Consideratien van de regters, de adviesen der regts geleerden, en veele andere bescheiden die tot de trans „acties in die teid relaatie hebben, alle behoorlyk geauthen„ „tiseerd, terwyl ik hem van mijn kant zou voorsien met London 442 alle de papieren die tot verifieering en reclaame deezer schaavergoeding kunnen dienen, van alle welken Copiaan onder N:o 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 en 10. hier neevens gaan. Dat hy alle voornoemde papieren in order hebbende, de„ „zelven zal overmaaken aan tweeder kundigste Regtsge „leerden in London, hen opdraagende, de reedenen en mo„ „tiven op welken hij zyn actie fundeerd rypelyk te overwee„ „gen, en bevindenden dat dezelve ten volle gegrond zyn, en de zaak daar op met gerustheid kan worden ondernoo„ „me, dat als dan een van hen, of wel een vertrouwd persoon in hun naam na Holland zal overgaan, en ter Verga„ „dering van Uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtb=rn Copia van dee„ „sen drief, neevens de stukken waar op zy haar actie wil„ „len institueeren ter resumtie zullen aanbieden: dat in„ „dien uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtb=r na beoordeling derzel„ „ven in het aangaan deezer proceduuren bewilligen, zy terstond de zaak zullen entameeren, dog zo uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtb:rn teege alle verwagting dit mogten ongeraade vin¬ „den, en daar toe haare toestemming niet geliefden te ver„ „leenen, dat als dan deeze geheele onderhandeling voor af„ „gedaan en van geener waarde zal werden beschouwd, verklaarende hy ten volle te vertrouwen, dat dezelve na het doen van opening zyner grond en naderhand door geen ander zal werden ondernoome. Voorts vertoonde hy my reeds in Calcatta tot veele uytgif¬ ten ter bemagtiging van alle de gerequireerde geauthen„ „tiseerde Documenten te zijn verbonde, welken hy zo de zaak geen gevolg had onvermogend was te draagen, dat uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtb=r op grond van mijne betuig„ „de onbevoegdheid om buyten Hoogst dezelver qualificatie de Compagnie tot het voldoen van zodaanige ongelden te verbinden, de betaaling mogten weigeren, en hy dus daar omtrend eenige zeekerheid begeerde: ik ben dies weegens met hem over eengekoome, dat indien het onverhoopt mogt gebeuren dat uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtb=r in het aandringen op schaavergoeding, en het onderneemen deezer proceeduures niet wilden treeden, en de Voldoening der gelden uytgeschoo„ „ten al eer hoogst derselver bewilliging was erlangd, mogten weigeren, om reedenen dat ik zonder haare prealabele orders en toestemming, de Compagnie aan zulke vergoedingen niet mogt bloot stellen, dat ik als dan die uytgeften, mits niet hooger beloopenden als een somma van Vijf duijsend Sicca ropijen, uyt myne prive beurs zal voldoen. Te veel ondervinding hebbende verkreege om niet over„ „tuigd te zyn hoegevaarlyk het is zaaken van zoo veel be„ „lang aan veelen te betrouwen, heb ik mij verpligt gevon„ de hier van alleen Opening te doen aan den Secretaris Wiman en Eerste Clerk van den Broeck, als volstrekt
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443 Hooghly in Bengal The 10th of January 1788. required for preparing and authenticating the requisite papers, all the more so since Mr Duncan recommended the strictest secrecy to me for the present, as he would arrange his affairs and prepare for his departure before any information concerning this should be received from England. However unqualified I may be to enter into a negotiation of so much weight and consequence without the prior knowledge and consent of Your Right Honourable Grandees, I pray Your Honors to rely on my assurance that it springs solely from an ardent desire to be of some use to the Company in these fatal times: through the failure to send funds from Europe; through the crying lack of money in these regions; through the opposition caused to me here on all sides by the English; and the harmful means to which one is forced to resort for salvation in such distressing circumstances, I am fully convinced that I can never and will never give satisfaction regarding the linen trade; redress in this matter is only to be expected when one is again, as before, enabled to make timely advances of cash in the months of January and February, and God knows how far off that point in time still is. Since in this case only the consent, Right Honourable and Highly Respected Gentlemen, Your Right Honourable Grandees' humble and obedient servant, of Your Right Honourable Grandees is required to enable the Company to recover circa three millions; since the Company is not exposed to the slightest risk, nor needs to involve itself in tedious and long-winded consultations; since all that must be restituted upon a favourable verdict may be considered a pure profit; since, if the verdict were to turn out unfavourably, it does not have to bear the least costs or expenses, thus however one regards the matter, all the advantage rests on the side of the Company, I flatter myself that my conduct will carry the approval of Your Right Honourable Grandees, and that the Company may taste the desired fruits thereof: the satisfaction of having provided the occasion for its benefit in these unfavourable times will be my dearest, my best reward. Wishing Your Right Honourable Grandees in their persons, governance, and families a lasting enjoyment of the best blessings, I have the honour to call myself with the most perfect high esteem. from Titungh No. 1. is 444 Statement of the Case 1782. An action was instituted in the name of the English East India Company before the High Court of Justice in Calcutta against Henry Halsey, wherein it was charged against him that, on or before the 3rd of April 1781, he had entered into a contract with J. M. Ross, then Governor of the Dutch colony of Chinsurah, for the delivery of linens for the account of the Dutch Company, although it was pretended that this was a private commercial agreement between the said Ross and Halsey; that this agreement or contract was entered in the Company's books as if it had been made between the Company and a native named Collinaat Moekersja, which name was used solely as a cloak to conceal that of the actual contractor, Halsey; that, pursuant to this contract, Mr Ross had advanced to Mr Halsey, for the account of the said Company, a sum of nearly two lakhs of Sicca rupees; that Ross had always declared to the English commissioners that those advances had been made for the account of the Company. Upon instituting the aforementioned action, it was further shown that His Majesty George the Second had granted letters patent to the English East India Company whereby he grants to the said Company all prizes, booty, and plunder taken in war, provided that all such conquests are made by troops raised solely by the said Company.
Dutch transcription
443 Hougli in Bengale Den 10e. Januarij 1788. tot het gereed maaken en authentiseeren der gerequireerde papieren benoodigd, te meer, daar M. r Duncan mij voor het teegenwoordige de stricste geheim houding aan beval„ wy hy alvoorens hier omtrend eenig narigt uijt Engeland zou werden ontfangen; zyne zaaken zou hebben geree„ „geld, en zig tot zyn vertrek in staad gesteld. Hoe Zeer ik ook onbevoegd ben om buijten voor weete en be„ „williging van Uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtb=r mij in eene onderhandeling van zoo veel gewigt, en nasleepen te laa„ „ten, bid ik Hoogst dezelven te willen vertrouwen op mijne ver„ „seekering, dat het alleen uyt een Vuurig verlange spruijt om de Compagnie in deeze fataale teiden van eenig nut te kunnen zijn: door het niet aansenden van fondsen uyt Europe door het Schreeuwend geld gebrek in deeze Gewesten: door de teegenkantingen mij hier by de Engelsen van alle kanten berokkend: en de Schaadelyke middelen tot welke men in zulke kommerlijke omstandigheeden gedwonge is ter red„ „ding te moeten toevlugt neemen, ben ik ten volle overtuigd dat ik omtrend den lywaad handel nimmer genoege kan, of zal geeven, hier in is alleen redres te wagten wanneer men wee¬ „der als te voore, tot het doen van teidige vooruytverstrek„ „kingen van Contanten in de maanden Ianuarij en Febru„ „arij word in staad gesteld, en God weet hoe verre dat teid„ „stip nog af is. Daar nu in dit geval alleen de toestemming, Hoog Edele Groot Agtbaaren Heeren Uw Hoog Edele Groot Agtbaarens onderdanige en Gehoorzaame Dienaer van uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtb=rn word vereischt om de Compag „nie Circa drie Millioenen te rug te doen erlangen,/ daar de Compagnie niet aan de geringste resico blood staat, nog zig in langweilige en teedieuse Consultatien behoefd in te wikkelen; daar al wat by een favorabele uytspraak moet werden gerestitueerd als een Zuiver voordeel mag wer„ „den beschouwd; daar zy, zoo de uytspraak teege veel, de allerminste kosten of ongelden niet heeft te draagen, dus hoe men ook die zaak beschouwe, al het voordeel aan de seide der Compagnie is berustende, vleije ik mij, dat myn bestaan de Goedkeuring van uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtb=r zal wag draagen, ende Compagnie daar van de gewenschte vrugten mag smaaken: het genoege van in deeze ongunstige leiden ter haarer bevoordeeling aanleiding te hebben gegeeven, zal myne geliefste, myne beste belooning zyn. Uw Hoog Edele Groot Achtbrn in haare persoonen Regeering, en Familien een bestendig genot der beste Zeegeningen toewen„ „schende, heb ik de eer mij met de volmaakste hoogagting te noe„ „men. van Titungh No: 1. is 444 Staat der Questi 1782. Werder uit naam van de Engelsche Oost jndische Compagnie voor het Hooge Gerechtshoff te Kalkatte actie g'institueert teegens Henry Halsey, waar bij hem werd ten lasten gelegd dat, op of voor den 3. e April 1781, hij met I„ M„ Ross, toen Gouverneur van de Hollandsche Colonie Sinsura, een Contract had aangegaan ter leverantie van Lynwaaten voor reekening van de Hollandsche Compagnie, of Schoon men voorwende dat dit een particuliere over eenkomst van koophandel was tusschen den Gemelden Ross, Halseij - dat deeze overeenkomst of Contract by de Compagnies boeken was in genomen, als of dezelve gemaakt was tusschen de Compagnie en een Inlanders met naame Collinaat Moekersja, welke naam alleen gebruikt wierd als een dekmantel om die van den wezendlijken Contractant Halseij te verbergen; dat, in gevol„ „ge van dit Contract, den Heer Rofs aan den Heer Halsey, voor ree„ „kening van Gemelde Compagnie, had Voor uit verstrekt een som van by na twee Lack Sicca ropijen; dat Ross altoos aan de Engel„ „sche Commissarissen had gedeclareerd dat die Vooruit verstrek kin„ „gen Voor reekening van de Compagnie geschied waaren. Bij het institueeren van voort: actie werd al verder ver„ „toond, dat zijn Majesteit George de tweede aan de Engelsche Oost„ Jndische Compagnie hadde verleend patent brieven waar bij Hy alle prijzen, Buit en Plunder in Oorlog genoomen aan de gemelde Compagnie komt te geeven, mits dat alzulke veroveringen ge„ „schieden door Troupen welke door gem: Compagnie alleen opge„ „recht
English
were justified and paid. That, after making the aforesaid advances to Halsey and before he had delivered any linens in fulfillment of his contract, the war between the Dutch and the English broke out, and that on 4 July 1781 the troops raised solely by the English Company and paid by them took possession of Sinsura by unconditional surrender and took the mentioned Ross, as governor, prisoner of war. That thereby all the property of the Dutch nation in Sinsura and of the mentioned Ross, as well as of all Dutch subjects, became the property of the conquerors, the English Company; that for that reason Halsey came under the obligation to pay out to them the money which he had received from Ross, or to deliver the linens to them pursuant to the contract entered into with Ross. After the customary formal allegations and interrogatories were recited in the claim, it concluded that Halsey may be condemned to pay the money or to deliver the linens, etc. By the answer of Halsey, he denies ever having entered into such an agreement or contract as mentioned in the claim with Mr. Ross, as Governor of Sinsura on account of the Dutch Company, or that he ever had any acquaintance with such a man as Collinaat Moekersja, who was stated in the claim as the nominal contractor, or that anything of the kind was ever entered into the books of the Dutch Company with his knowledge, or that he ever received any advances in money pursuant to any such contract; but he admits that before 3 April 1781, the time mentioned in the claim, he received from Mr. Ross about a lack of rupees, and after the conquest of Sinsura about 87000 rupees, including therein the amount of a bill of exchange for 50000 rupees which he had received previously, but which had not fallen due nor was paid until a long time after the aforesaid conquest; that he received those sums by virtue of various mercantile transactions which he had with Mr. Ross and which he always understood to be for the private account of Mr. Ross, and that he never heard that those transactions or any of them occurred for the account of the Dutch Company, and that he never delivered any linens to the Dutch East India Company pursuant to the contract mentioned in the claim; That he believed that Sinsura was taken, but not by the troops of the English East India Company alone, because he has learned and also believed that during the night before the arrival of those Company troops at Sinsura, a detachment of men from the King's sloop of war the Nymph had entered the fort and had also remained there. That he maintained that he was always ready to settle his account with Mr. Ross and to pay back to him whatever should appear to be due to him; that he was also ready, if Mr. Ross wished to discharge him, to, at his request,
Dutch transcription
445: „recht waaren en betaald wierden. Dat, na het doen der voorsz vooruytverstrekkingen aan Halsey en voor dat hy eenige Lijnwaaten in voldoening van zyn Contract geleeverd had, den oorlog tusschen de Hollanders en Engelsche kwam uit te bree„ „ken en dat op den 4=e July 1781 de troupen welke door de Engelsche Compagnie waaren geworven en door hen betaald wierden alleen, door overgaave op discretie, Sinsura in bezit naamen en den gem Ross als gouverneur krijgsgevangen maakte. Dat hier door al den eigendom der Hollandsche Natie in Sinsura en van den gem: Ross zo wel als van alle de Hollandsche onderdaanen, het eigendom wierd der veroveraars de Engelsche Compagnie, dat om die reeden Halsey onder de verplichting gekomen was om aan hun uit betaaling te doen van het geld het welk hy van Ross ontvangen had, of aan hun, ingevolge het met Ross aangegaan Contract, de Lynwaaten te leeveren. Na dat de gewoone formeele beschuldigingen en interrogatorien by den Eisch gereciteert zyn, Concludeerd dezelve dat Halsey mag worden gecondemneerd om het geld te betaalen of de Lynwaaten te leeveren &ca By het antwoord van Halsey ontkend, hy ooit een dusdanige over„ „eenkomst of Contract, als in den Eisch vermeld word, met den Heer Ross, als Gouverneur van Sinsura voor reekening van de Hollandsche Compagnie, te hebben aangaan, of dat hy ooit eenige kennis heeft gehad aan een dusdanig man als Collinaat Moekersja welke by den Eisch, als Contractor in naam, werd opgegeeven- of dat er ooit iets dergelyks met zyn voorweeten by de boeken van de Hollandsche Compagnie ingenomen is - of dat hy Ooit eenige vooruitverstrekkingen in Geld, ingevolge van een al zulk Contract, ontvangen heeft; dog hy stemd toe dat hy voor den 3. ' April 1781, de tyd in den Eisch vermeld, van den Heer Ross ontvangen heeft omtrent een Lack ropyen, en na de verovering van Sinsura omtrent 87000 rop: daar onder be„ „greepen het bedragen eener wissel groot 50000 rox: welke hy bevoo„ „rens ontvangen had, dog welke niet was komen te vervallen nog betaald is, dan langen tyd na de voorsz: verovering. — dat hy die som„ „men ontvangen heeft uit hoofde van verscheide mercantile onderhan„ „delingen die hij met den Heer Ross gehad en welke hy altoos begreepen heeft voor particuliere reekening van den Heer Ross te zijn en dat hy nooit heeft gehoord dat die onderhandelingen of eenige daar van ge„ „schieden voor reekening van de Hollandsche Compagnie, dat hy nooit geen Lyjnwaaten aan de Hollandsche Oost Indische Compagnie geleeverd heeft ingevolge van het Contract in den Eisch vermeld: Dat hy geloofde dat Sinsura genomen was, dog niet by de Trou„ „pen der Engelsche Oost Indische Compagnie Alleen, want dat hij ver„ „nomen heeft en ook geloofde dat in den nacht Voorde aankomst van die Compagnies troupen te Sinsura, er een detachement manschap„ „pen van de Konings Oorlogsloep the Nymph in het fort gekomen en daar ook verbleeven was. Dat hy staande hield altoos bereid te zyn om met den Heer Rofs zijne reekening te vereevenen en aan hem te rug te betaalen het geen zou blyken hem te competeeren; dat hy ook bereid was, indien den Heer Ross hem ontslaan wilde, om, op versoek van denzelve,
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to pay to the English East India Company all that Mr. Ross had advanced him, provided that, in satisfaction thereof, they accepted their own Bonds for such sums as he had lent to them; maintaining that he had a right to insist upon such a satisfaction. In this lawsuit it was proven by the Testimony of Messrs. Purling and Ramus and the other British Commissioners that Mr. Ross had transferred this Debt to them for the benefit of the English East India Company, and that he had always declared to them that the money advanced belonged in property to the Dutch Company. July 1783. This case was pleaded between the English East India Company and Mr. Halsey and adjudicated by the High Court of Justice of Fort William in Bengal; the Claim of the Company being dismissed with costs. Grounds upon which the Claim was dismissed. In the settlement of this case, the dispute whether the advances made to Mr. Halsey were made for the account of the Dutch Company or for the private account of Mr. Ross was neither decided nor did it come into consideration. The judgment was rendered pursuant to a proper consideration of the granting words contained in the patent of George the Second, cited in the Claim and upon which the English Company founded its title. The Claim against Halsey could only be considered as the demand of a debt which he owed; although the aforesaid patent Before the departure of Mr. Ross to Europe, he had by a proper Deed transferred to Mr. Purling and the other British Commissioners this same claim on Mr. Halsey as a part of the property of the Dutch East India Company advanced to him in anticipation of the Delivery of Linens to the said Company. The Government of Fort William, in consequence of the judgment of the High Court of Justice, finding that it had no prospect of demanding this sum in Its own name, and not being authorized by the King, in whom, in case there was any right to proceed in this matter, the same had to be vested, letters to the Company expressly grant the right to prizes and booty, yet no debts are thereby granted to them eo nomine, and it is a Fundamental Rule in the English laws that no right or title to which the King is entitled can be taken from him by inferences; there must be express words to that end; from which it follows that, whether the King, by virtue of the conquest, had any right or none to the debts which the Dutch East India Company had outstanding before the capture of their Colony Chinsurah, the English Company, which founded their Claim upon that Charter, could not establish their right thereto, because the same, in case it could take place at all, was vested in their King and not in themselves. letters
Dutch transcription
446 aan de Engelsche Oost Indische Compagnie te betaalen al het geen den Heer Ross hem verstrekt had, mits dat, in voldoening daar van, zy aannaamen hunne eigene Obligaties voor zodanige sommen als hy aan hun geleend had; staande houdende dat hij recht had om Op een dusdanige voldoening aan te dringen. — In dit proces werd door het Getuigenis van de Heeren Purling en Ramus en de andere Britsche Commissarissen beweezen, dat den Heer Ross deeze Schuld aan hen ten behoeve der Engelsche Oost Indische Compagnie had over„ „gedragen en dat hij aan hen altoos gedeclareerd had, dat het ver„ „strekte geld in eigendom aen de Hollandsche Compagnie toe behoorde July 1783. - Werd deeze zaak tusschen de Engelsche OostJndische Compagnie en de Heer Halsey bepleit en door het Hooge Gerechtshoff van Fort William in Bengaale uytgesprooken; werdende den Eisch van de Compagnie ontzegd met de kosten. Gronden waarop den Eisch ontzegdl In het afdoen deezer zaak, wierd het verschil, of de wierd - - - - - - S voor uit verstrekkingen Aan den Heer Halsey gedaan, voor reekening van de Hollandsche Compagnie of voor particuliere reeke„ „ning van den Heer Ross geschied waaren, nog beslist, nog kwam het zelve in aanmerking. — De uitspraak geschiede navolgens een be„ „hoorlyke overweeging van de vergunnings woorden, vervat in het patent van George de tweede by den Eisch aangehaald en waar op de Engelsche Compagnie haar Aanspraak fundeerde. — Den Eisch op Halseij kon eenelyk worden aangemerkt als de vordering van een schuld welke hy schuldig was; of schoon de voorsz: patent Voor het vertrek van den Heer Ross na Europa had hy bij een behoorlijke Acte aan de Heer Zurling en de andere Britsche Com„ „missarissen Overgedragen deeze zelve pretensie op de Heer Halsaij als een gedeelte van den eigendom der Hollandsche Oost Jndische Compagnie aan hem Vooruit verstrekt ter Leverantie van Lijn„ „waaten aan gem: Comp: Het Gouvernement van Fort William, uit hoofde der uit„ „spraak van het Hoogen Gerechtshoff, vindende dat zy geen kans had deeze som of Haar eige naam in te Vorderen en door den Koning /: in wien; in geval er eenig recht tot procedeeren in deeze zaak was, het zelve gevestigd moest zyn :/ niet geauthoriseerd zynde brieven aan de Compagnie uit drukkelijk verleenen het recht op prij„ „zen en buit, zo worden daar bij echter geene schulden, eo nomine, aan hun vergund en het is een Grondreegel by de Engelsche wetten dat eenig recht of aanspraak waar toe den Koning bevoegd is, hem door geen gevolgtrekkingen kunnen worden ontnomen, daar moeten ten dien einde uitdrukkelyke worden, zyn; waar uit volgd, dat, het zij den Koning door de verovering al of geen recht had op de schulden welke de Hollandsche OostIndische Compagnie voor het neemen hunner Colonie Sinsura, had uitstaan, de En„ „gelsche Compagnie, die hunnen Eisch op dat Charter fundeerde, hun recht daar op niet kon goed maaken, wijl het zelve, in geval dit al plaats kongrijpen, in hun Koning en niet in hun zelve gevestigd was. brieven
English
447 to act in his name, saw fit to resort to other means. Although they knew that Mr Ross had transferred this claim to the British Commissioners as a claim belonging to his Masters, and therefore could claim no private interest therein, they nevertheless instituted, without his prior knowledge or order, a new action against Mr Halsey in his name, but at their own expense, having the suit conducted by their own advocate and attorney as if they were the advocate and attorney of Mr Ross, and demanding payment for that same debt, transferred by Mr Ross to the British Commissioners in the manner aforesaid, as if it were a debt due to Mr Ross on his own private account. Mr Halsey, having acknowledged in his reply to the previous demand the advances made to him by Mr Ross, as well as holding himself accountable to Mr Ross for that amount, was unable, on account of the absence of Mr Ross, to prove that he had given no power or order for instituting these proceedings, and thus found himself compelled to submit to a judgment entered against him for the amount of what he had previously acknowledged to owe. The last-mentioned demand against Mr Halsey was brought in December 1783, and the judgment was pronounced on the 5th of April 1784. On the 14th of February 1783 the cessation of arms between the English and the Dutch was proclaimed; the preliminary peace articles were signed on the 2nd and ratified on the 27th of September 1783. This money, which was awarded by judgment to Mr Ross, was received by the English East India Company as if it were for Mr Ross, but for their own use, and there has never been any condemnation of this or any other property of the Dutch before any Court of Admiralty. Please take this matter into consideration and give your opinion whether there is any means for the Dutch East India Company to recover this money from the English Company, and if so, wherein it consists. Opinion. From the case set out above, it appears that at the time of the conquest of Sinsura the claim on Mr Halsey was solely a right to a debt which could be collected in due time. If the Dutch Company was deprived by the conquest of its right to that kind of property, then after that date that right could only be claimed by the British King, for by his letters patent, under the sanction of which the English Company made its claim, he had not granted any debts to them. The evidence in the case, as presented, then shows that Mr Ross had no private interest in this debt; his transfer could therefore not curtail the right of the British King, nor could it deprive the Dutch Company of any right, in case such a right should exist, which it might deem after the conquest to
Dutch transcription
447 September 1783. - dit geld, het welk by vonnis aan den Heer Ross in zyn naam te ageeren, vond goed andere middelen by der hand te is toegeweezen, werd door de Engelsche Oost Jndische Compagnie, als neemen. - of schoon zy wisten dat den Heer Ross deeze pretensie als waare het zelve voor den Heer Ross, dog voor hun eige gebruik, ontvan„ een pretensie van zyn Meesters aan de Britsche Commissarissen „gen, en nimmer heeft er eenige Condemnatie voor eenig Admiraliteits had overgedragen; en daar in dus geen particulier belang kon hoff van dit of eenig ander eigendom der Hollanders plaats gehad. voorwenden, institueerde zy echter, sonder zyn Voorkennis of order„ Gelieft deeze zaak in overweeging te neemen en Uw advis in een nieuwe actie teegens de Heer Halsey, op zyn naam, dog op hun te geeven of er eenig middel is voor de Hollandsche Oostindische Com„ eigene kosten, het proces laatende voeren door hunne eigene advocaat en „pagnie om dit geld van de Engelsche Compagnie te rug te bekomen procureur, als waaren die den advocaat en procureur van den Heer en zo Ja waar in het zelve bestaat. Ross, en Eisch doende voor die zelve Schuld, in voege voorsz: door den Heer Ross aan de Britsche Commissarissen overgedragen, als waa„ „re dit een schuld den Heer Ross voor zyn eige particuliere reekening Com„ „peteerende. Den Heer Halseij, by zyn antwoord op den voorigen Eisch, de voor„ „uit verstrekkingen als aan hem door den Heer Ross gedaan erkend hebbende, als meede dat hy zich voor dat bedragen aan den Heer Ross verantwoordelyk hield, was niet in staat, uit hoofde der afwee„ „zigheid van den Heer Ross, om aan te toonen dat hy geen macht of order tot het aanleggen deezer procedure Gegeeven had en vond zich dus genoodzaakt te onderwerpen aan een Vonnis teegens hem ge„ „slagen voor het bedragen van het geen hy voorheen erkend had schul„ „dig te zijn. — De laastgem: Eisch teegen den Heer Halsey werd uitge„ „bragt in December 1783 in het vonnis wierd den 5=e april 1784 gepronuncieert, op den 14=e febr: 1783 werd de Stilstand van Wapenen tusschen de Engelsche en Hollanders geproclameerd - de Preliminai„ „re Vreedens Articelen zyn geteekend den 2' en geratificeert den 27=e Advis. Uit de hier boven ter needer gestelde zaak blykt het, dat ten tijde der Verovering van Sinsura de pretensie op den Heer Hal„ „sey; eenelijk een recht op een schuld was ,: welke met er tyd kon worden ingevorderd. - Indien de Hollandsche Comp: door de vero„ „vering verstooken wierd van Haar recht Op dat soort van eigen„ „dom, zo kon dat recht na dato alleen door den Britschen Koning worden gevorderd, want hyj had, by zyn Patent Brieven, onder Wel„ „ker Sanctie de Engelsche Comp: Haaren Eisch deed, aan Haar geene schulden toegestaan. — De bewijzen in de zaak, zo als die werden Voor„ gesteld, toonen dan, dat den Heer Ross geen particulier belang in deze schuld had, zijn Overdragt kon dus het recht van den Britschen Koning niet verkorten, nog kon dezelve de Hollandsche Compagnie versteeken van eenig recht /: ingeval er een dusdanig recht mogt plaats grijpen:/ het welk zy na de verovering mogt oordeelen daar
English
448 a Case for the opinion of Council to remain preserved. I am therefore of the opinion that the assignment from Mr. Ross to the English Company and the judgment obtained in his name can only have this effect, that it authorizes them to charge those sums which they have received from Mr. Halsey on behalf of such persons as shall subsequently prove to have a lawful right thereto; and this must be either the King of Great Britain or the Dutch Company. It is said that this claim has never been pleaded or adjudicated in any Court of Admiralty, and that peace between the English and Dutch nations was restored before the pronouncement of the judgment in the lawsuit which the English Company conducted in the name of Mr. Ross against Mr. Halsey. I am of the opinion that the restoration of peace also restores all rights which before the war were vested in the respective parties and concerning which no other decision was made in one or another competent court of justice prior to the restoration of peace. If I am not mistaken in this opinion, then the Dutch Company has a good claim against the English Company for as much money as it has received on its behalf; the King of Great Britain cannot now come forward with any claim which he did not previously assert, nor can it be supposed that he would sanction a claim made by the English Company whereby his rights most clearly appear to have been usurped. signed W: Dunkin A Bill was filed in the Supreme Court at Calcutta in the name of the English East India Company against Henry Halsey charging that he on or before the 3d april 1781 had entered into an Agreement with J:r M:c Ross, then Gov:r of the Dutch Settlement at Chinsura, for the delivery of cloths on account of the Dutch Company, though it was pretended to be a private transaction in trade between the said Ross and Halsey; that the agreement or Contract was entered in the Company's Books as if made between the Company and a native named Collinaud Mukergee, which name was only used as a cover to conceal the real Contractor, Halsey. That in pursuance of this Contract Mr. Ross advanced to Mr. Halsey on account of the said Company near two Lacks of Sicca Rupees. That Ross always declared to the English Commissaries that such advances were made on account of the Company. The said Bill then proceeded to state Letters Patent granted by His Majesty Geo. 2d. to the E: I: C: by which he gave all Prize, Booty or Plunder taken in war to the said C:, provided such acquisition was made by Troops raised & paid by the said Co. alone. That after the said advances had been made to Halsey and before any of the Cloths were delivered by him in pursuance of his Contract, a War broke out between the Dutch & the English, and that on the 4th July 1781 the Troops raised & paid by the Company alone took possession of Chinsura by surrender at discretion and took the said Ross the Govr. prisoner of war. Kalkatte 28 May 1787.
Dutch transcription
448 a Case for the opinion of Corncil- op te blyven behouden. — Ik ben dus van gevoele dat de overdragt van den Heer Ross op de Engelsche Compagnie en het vonnis in zijn naam verkreegen eenelijk dit effect hebben kan, dat het hun mach „tigd om die sommen welke zy van de Heer Halsey ontvangen hebben te bezwaaren ten behoeve van zodanige persoonen als in het ver„ „volg zullen komen te blyken daar op wettig recht te hebben; en dit moet of den Koning van Groot Brittanien of de Hollandsche Compagnie zijn. — Daar wordgezegd dat dezen Eisch nimmer bepleit of gevonnisd is in eenig Admiraliteits Hoff en dat de vreede tusschen de Engelsche en Hollandsche Naties hersteld is voor de Pronunciatie van het vonnis in het proces het welk de Engelsche Compagnie op naam van den Heer Ross teegens de Heer Halsey gevoerd heeft. — Ik ben van gevoeld dat de herstelling der Vreede ook hersteld alle rechten welke voor den Oorlog in de respective partyen zyn gevestigd geweest en waar over voor de herstelling der Vreede, in het een of ander Competent Gerechts „hof niet anders beslist is. — Indien ik in dit gevoele niet mistaste, dan heeft de Hollandsche Compagnie een goede pretensie op de Engelsche Compagnie voor zo veel geld als zy ten Haaren behoeve ontvangen heeft; den Koning van Groot Brittanien kan nu met geen Eisch op komen welke hy voorheen niet heeft doen gelden, nog kan het worden verondersteld dat hy zou billijken een door de Engelsche Compagnie Gemaakte pretensie waar door ten klaarsten komt te blyken zijne rechten gensurpeert te zyn. /:get:/ W: Dunkin A Bill was filed in the Suprame Court at Calcutta in the name of the English East India Companij against Henrij Halsey charging that he on or before the 3d april 1781 had entered into an Agreement with Jr Mc Ross, then Gov:r of the Dutch Settlement at Chinsura, for the delivery of cloths on account of the Dutch Company, this it was pretended to be a private transaction in trade between The said Ross and Halsey that the agreement or Contract was enterd in the Companies Books, as if made between the Company and a native named Collinaud Mukergee, which name was only used as a lover to Conceal the real Contractor, Halsey. That in pursuance of this Contract Mr. Ross advanced to Mr. Halsey on account of the said Companij near two Lacks of Sicca Rupees. That Ross always declared to the English Commissaries that such ad= vances were made on account of the Company. The said Bill then proceeded to State Letters Patent granted bij His Majesty Geo. 2d. to the E: I: C: by which he gave alle Prize, Booty or Punder taken in war to the said C:, provided such acquesition was made by Troops raised & paid by the said Co. alone that after the said advances had been made to Halsey and before anij of the Cloths were deliverd by him in pursuance of his Contract, a War broke out between the Dutch & the English– and that on the 4th July 1781. The Troops raised & paid by the Company alone took possession of Chinsura by Surender at discretion and took the said Ross the Govr. prisoner of war. Kalkatte 28 May 1787.
English
That by this means, all the property of the Dutch nation in Chinsura, and of the said Ross, and of all the Dutch subjects became the property of the captors, the English Company. That thereby it became the duty of Halsey to pay to them the money he had received from Ross, or to deliver the cloths to them pursuant to his contract with Ross. The bill, after reciting the usual formal charges and interrogatories, prays that Halsey may be compelled to pay the money or deliver the cloths, etc. The answer of Halsey denied that he ever entered into any such agreement or contract as is charged by the bill with Ross as Governor of Chinsura on account of the Dutch Company, or that he ever had any knowledge of any such man as Collinaut Mukergee, who is charged by the bill to have been the nominal contractor, or that ever any such entry was to his knowledge or with his privity made in the books of the Dutch Company; or that he ever received any advances in money in pursuance of such contract. But he admitted that he had received from Mr. Ross, previous to the 3d April 1781, the time mentioned in the bill, about a lack of rupees, and after the capture of Chinsura about 87,000 rupees, including the payments of a bill for 50,000 rupees which he had received before, but which was not due or paid until a considerable time after the said capture; that he received such sums in consequence of a variety of commercial dealings he had with Mr. Ross, which he always understood were on Mr. Ross's private account, and that he never understood that such transactions, or any of them, were on account of the Dutch Company. He admitted that he did not deliver any cloths to the Dutch East India Company in pursuance of the contract stated in the bill. He believed that Chinsura was taken, but not by the English East India Company's troops alone, for he heard and believed that the night before the arrival of this Company's troops at Chinsura, a detachment of men from one of the King's sloops of war called the Nymph had entered into the fort and continued there. He insisted that he was always ready to settle his accounts with Mr. Ross and repay him whatever might appear due to him, and was also ready, if Mr. Ross would release him, to pay whatever Mr. Ross had advanced to him, at Mr. Ross's desire, to the English East India Company, provided they would accept from him in such payment their own bonds for such sums as he had lent to them, and insisted on his right to such set-off. In this cause it was proved by the evidence of Mr. Purling, Mr. Ramus, and the other British commissaries that Mr. Ross had assigned this debt to them for the English East India Company, and had always declared to them that the money advanced, etc., was the property of the Dutch Company. This cause between the English East India Company and Mr. Halsey was heard and determined in the Supreme Court at Fort William, Bengal, and the Company's bill was dismissed with costs. In the determination of this cause, the question whether the advances made to Mr. Halsey were on the account of the Dutch Company or on the private account of Mr. Ross was not considered. The determination was made on a due consideration of the granting words in the patent of George II mentioned in the bill, on which the English East India Company founded their claim. The claim upon Halsey could only be considered as a claim of a debt due by him. Though prizes and plunder are specifically
Dutch transcription
449 That by this means, all the property of the Dutch nation in Chinsura, and of the said Ross, and of all the Dutch Subjects be lamethe property of the Captors, the English C. – That there by it become the Auty of Halsey to pay to them the money he had recd: from Ross, or to deliver the cloths to them pursuant to his Contract with Rofs – The Bill after reciting the usual formal charges & intenogatories prays that Hal, sey may be Compelld to pay the mony or deliver the cloths & - The answer of Halsey denied that he ever entered in to anij such a„ „greement or Contract as is charged by the Billwith Ross as Govr. of chinsura on acct. of the Dutch Co. or that he ever had anij Know ledge of any such man as Collinaut Mukergee who is charged by the Bill 1L to have been the nominal Contractor or that wer any such Entry was to his knowledge or with his privity made in the Books of the Dutch Company– Or that he ever recd. any advances in money in pursuance of such Contract. But admitted that he had recd from Mr. Ross, previons to the 3d: A„ pril 1881 the time mentioned in the Bill, about a Lack of Reipees, and af ther the Capture of Chinsura about 87, 000 rs, including the paijments of a Bill for 50, 000 Rs which he had recd: before but which was not due or paid untill a Considerable time afther the said Capture – that he recd. such sums in Consequence of a vairety of Commercial dealings he had with Mr. Ross, which he alwys understood were on Mr. Ross sprivate acct. and that he newer understood that such trans actions, or any of them, were on acct. of the Dutch Company. admited that he did not deliver any Cloths to the Dutch E. I. Comps. In pursuance of the Contract in the Bill stated. Believed that Chin¬ „sura was taken but not by the E. E. S. Cs. troops Alone, for that he heard & believed, the night before the arrival of this Companis Troops at Chinsura, a Detachment of men from one of the Kings Sloops of war Calld the Nymph, had intered in to the Fort & Continued there. Insisted that he was always ready to settle his accounts with Mr. Ross and repay him what ever might appeardue to him and was also ready; if Mr. Ross woud release him, to pay what ever Mr. Ross had advanced to him, at Mr. Ross's desire to the E. E. I. C. provided they word accept from him in such payment their oan Bonds for such sums as he had lent to them, & insisted on his reght to such settl off In this Cause it was proved by the widence of Mr. Purling, Mr. Ramus & the other British Commissarys that Mr. Ross had assigned this debt to them for the E: E: C. & had always declared to them that the money advanced & was the property of the D. C. This cause between the EE. H. & Mr. Halsey was heard and deter„ „mined in the Supreme Court, at Fort William Bengaland the Companies Bill was difmissd with Costs. In the determination of this Cause, the question whether, the ad„ vances made to Mr. Halsey were on the account of the D. 6: or on the private account of Mr. Ross, was not decided Considered – The Determination was made on a due Consideration of the Granting words in the Patent of Geo. 2d. mentioned in the Bill, and on which the E E. H. founded their claim – The claim upon Halsey, Coud only be considered as a claim of a Debt dee by him – Tho prizes and plunder, arespecificallij
English
450 granted by the said letters patent to the Co., yet Debts, eo nomine, are not granted, and it is a Maxim in the English Law, that any Right or Claim vested in the King, Can never be divested by implication. there must be express words for the purpose; from which it followed that whether a Debt due to the Dutch E: I: C: previous to the Capture of their Settlemt. of Chinsura did or did not vest in the King by the Capture, the English E: I: C: who by this Bill made their claim, Could not maintain it, the Right, if any, being in their King, not in them. Previous to the departure of Mr. Ross for Europe, he had by deed duly executed assigned to Mr. Purling & other the British Commissaries this very demand agt. Halsey, as part of the property of the Dutch E: I: Comp: advanced to him for furnishing the Dutch Co. with this investment of Cloth. The Governr. of Fort William, from the determination of the supreme Court on their first Bill, finding they Could have no Chance for recovering this sum in their own name, and having no authority from the King (in whom if any the right to sue was vested) to sue in his name, tried a new experiment. Tho' they Knew Mr. Ross had assigned this demand as the Demand of his Constituents to the British Commissaries & therefore Could not set up any private interest in it, without his privity or direction they instituted a new suit in the name of Mr. Ross at their own expence, conducted by their own Counsel & attorney, as if the Counsel & attorney of Mr. Ross, against Mr. Halsey, charging this very debt so conveyed by Mr. Ross to the British Commissaries, to be a debt due to Mr. Ross, on his private accounts. Mr. Halsey having in his answer to the former Bill admitted the advances that he had recd. from Mr. Ross, having admitted that he stood accountable to Mr. Ross for the amount, unable to show from Mr. Ross's absence that he had not directed or Authorized the suit, was obliged to submit to a Decree agt. him to the amount of his former admissions. The last mentd. Bill against Mr. Halsey was filed in December 1783 and the Decree was pronounced the 5t. April 1784. A Cessation of arms Between the English & Dutch was proclaimed 14th February 1783. The Preliminaries of Peace were signed the 2d and ratified the 27th Sept: 1783. The money thus decreed to be paid to Ross, was recd. by the E. I. C. as if for Mr. Ross but to their own use. There was no adjudication of this or any other Dutch property in any Court of Prize or Admiralty. Please to consider this Case and give Your opinion whether the D. E. C. have any & what remedy to recover this money from the E: I: C. It appears from the foregoing Case, That at the time of the Capture of Chinsura the demand agt. Mr. Halsey was only a claim to a Debt which might be eventually recovered. If the Capture divested the Dutch Co. of their right to this species of property, that right Could afterwards be claimed by the British King only, for He had not by his Letters Patent, under which The English Co. made their Claim, granted any debts to them. The Proofs in the Cause, as stated, shew that Mr. Ross had no private interest in this debt, his grant of it therefore could not affect the claim of the British King, nor could it divest the Dutch Co. of any right which might Opinion. 40 have remained to them if any did remain after the Capture. I am therefore of Opinion that the Grant from Mr. Ross to the English Co. and the Decree obtained in his name, Can operate only to Constitute them holders of the sums they have so received from Mr. Halsey, to the Use of those who shall appear in the End to be legally & Rightfully entitled; and that must be either the British King, or the Dutch Company. It is stated that this claim was never adjudged or heard in any Court of Prize or Admiralty & that Peace was restored between the English & Dutch nations before the Decree was pronounced in the Cause which the English Co. instituted in the name of Mr. Ross agt. Mr. Halsey. I am of opinion that the restoration of Peace Restores all the rights which previous to the war had existed in the respective parties, and which had not been, previous to the peace, decided Upon in Any Court of Competent Jurisdiction. If I am right in this Opinion, the Dutch Co. have a good action agt. the English Co. for so much money had and received to their use. The British King Can not now interpose a claim which he had not before asserted. Neither Can it be presumed that he would support a claim made by the English Co. which appears to have been a manifest usurpation of his rights. Calcutta 20t July 1787. W. Dunkin 451 Consultation In the year 1780 war arose between the English and Dutch Nations. The Government of the English East India Company at Calcutta in Bengal received news of the outbreak of that War before the Dutch at Chinsura knew anything about it, and on 4 July 1781 it sent a detachment of its troops, assisted by a party of Seamen belonging to a Sloop of War of the King of Great Britain, to take possession of Chinsura, the Dutch Colony on the river Hooghly in Bengal, a place that is open and completely unfortified. The Town surrendered at discretion. The Director and Council were made prisoners of war. The captors seized all the property they found there and immediately applied it to their own use without previously obtaining any Condemnation or Sentence regarding it from any Admiralty Court. There is and there was in Fort William at Calcutta a Court of Justice, having the power of that of the Admiralty, established under the Royal Charter granted on the authority of an Act of the British Parliament. Peace is restored. First question. Does the failure to obtain such a Sentence or Condemnation from the admiralty court in any way affect the right that the English Company has to the property that No: 223
Dutch transcription
450 granted bij the said letters patent to the Co, yet Debts, eo nomine, are not granted- and it is a Maxim in the English Law, that any Eight or Claim vested in the King, Can never be devested bij implication. there must be express words for the purpose; from which it followed that whether a Debt due to the Dutch E: I: C: previons to the Capture of their Settlemt. of Chinsura did or did not vest in the King by the Capture, the English E: I: C: who by this Bill made their claim, Coud not maintain it the Right, if anij being in their King, not in them Previons to the departure of Mr. Ross for Europe, he had by dad duly excuted assigned to Mr. Purling & other the British Commi„ saries this very demand agt. Halsey, as part of the property of the Dutch E: I: Comps: advanced to him for furnishing the Dutch C with this investment of Clotho The Governr. of Fort William, from the determination of the supreme Court on their first Bill, finding they Coud have no Chance for recovering this sum in their own name, and having no authority from the King, (in whom if anij the right to sue was vested) to sue in his name, bied a„ new experiment Tho they Know Mr. Ross had assigned this demand as the Demand of his Constituents to the British Commissaries & there= =fore Coud not sell up any prevate interest in it, without his privity or direction they instituted a new suit in the name of Mr. Ross at their own expence, conducted by their own Councr. & attorney, as if the Count. & attorney of Mr. Ross, against Mr. Halsey, charging this very debt so conveyd by Mr. Ross to the British Commissaries, to be a debt due to Mr. Ross, on his private accounts. Mr. Halsey having in his answer to the former Bill admitted the advances het had recd. from Mr. Ross having admitted that he stood accountable to Mr. Ross for the amount, unable to ther from Mr. Rosses absence that he had not directed or Authorized the suit, was obliged to submit to a Decree agt. him to the amount of his former admissions – The last ments: Bill against Mr. Halseij was filed in December 1783 and the Decree was pronouned the 5t. April 1784 a Cept. of arms Between the English & Dutch was proclaimd 14th Febru¬ ary 1783 – The Preliminaries of Peaces were signed the 2d and reti„ fied the 27th Sept: 1783 – the money thus decreed to be paid to Ross, was recd. by the E E. C. as if for Mr. Ross but to their one use – There was no adjudic of this or any other Dutch property in ani lowrt of Prize or Admrs. Please to consider this Case and give Your opin. whether the D. E. C. have any & what remedgy to recover this money from the E: E: C It appears from the foregoing Case, That at the time of the Capture of chinsura the demand agt. Mr. Halseij was only a claim to a Debt which might be eventually recovered – If the Capture divested the Dutch Co. of their right to this species of property, that right Coud afterwards beclaimd by the British King only, for, He had not by his Letters Patent, under which The English Co. made their Claim, granted any debts to them. The Proofs in the Cause, as stated, shew that Mr. Ross had no private interest in this debt, his grant of it therefore loud not affect the claim of the British King, nor houd it divest the Dutch C. of any right which might Opinion. 40 have remaind to them if any did ramain, after the Capture fam there= =fore of Opinion that the Grant from Mr. Ross to the English Co. and the Decree oblaind in his name, Canoperate only to Constitute them holders of the sums they have so received from Mr. Halsey, to the Use of those who shall appear in the Lind to be legally & Eight=fully intetled; and that must be either the British King, or the Dutch Company. It is stated that this claim was never adjudged or heard in any lowrt of Prife or Admiralty & that Peace was restord between the English & Dutch nations before the Decree was pronainced in the Cause which the English C: instituted in the name of Mr. Ross agt. Mr. Halsey– Sam of opinion that the restoration of Peace Restores all the rights, which previons to the war had existed in the respective parties, and which had not been, previons to the peace, decided Upon in Any Court of Competent Jurisdic„ „tion – of Iam right in this Opinion, the Dutch Co have a good action agt. the English Co. for so much money had and received to there use – the Beitish King Can not now interpose a claim which he had not before asserted – Weither Can it be presumd that he woud support a claim made by the English Co. which appears to have been a manifest usur= „pation of his rights. balcutta 20t July 1787. W Dinkin 451 Consultatie In Ao 1780 ontstaat er Oorlog tusschen de Engelsche en Hollandsche Natien. Het Gouvernement der Engelsche Oost Jndische Compagnie te Kal„ „katte in Bengaale ontvangd naricht van het uitbarsten van dien Oorlog voor dat de Hollanders te Sinsura daar iets van wisten en zy Zend op den 4=' July 1781 een detachement van hunne troupen Ge„ „assisteert van een partij Zee Volk gehoorende tot een Oorlogs sloep van de Koning van Groot Brittannien om bezit te neemen van Chinsura de Hollandsche Colonie aan de revier Hoegli in Bengaale, een plaats die open en buiten eenige staat van defensie is - de Stad word op discretie over gegeeven. Den Directeuren Raad worden krijgsgevangenen gemaakt. De veroveraars neemen al het eigendom wat zy daar vinden in beslag en maaken daar onmiddelyk voor hun zelve gebruik van sonder dien Aangaande voor af eenige Condemnatie of Vonnis van eenig Admiraliteits Hoff: te obtineeren. — daar is en daar was in Fort William te Kalkatte een Gerechtshoff, hebbende de macht van dat der Admiraliteit, opgerecht onder de Koninglyke Charter ver„ „leend op authoriteit van een Acte van het Britsch Parlement. De vreede word hersteld. Eerste vraag. — Heeft het niet obtineeren van een zodanig Vonnis of Con„ „demnatie van het admiraliteitshoff in eeniger wijze effect op het recht het welk de Engelsche Compagnie heeft op de de eigendommen welke No: 223
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452 which it has taken at Chinsura in the manner aforesaid, or does the English Company acquire an incontestable right of ownership to those goods solely by the taking of the same? Second Question. Do the captors by such a conquest have any right to monies which British subjects or others owe to the Dutch Company or to Dutch individuals, and if so, wherein does it consist? Answer to the First Question. I am of the opinion that a condemnation ought to have taken place, according to an ancient custom which the nations have made into a law for themselves. By the conquest the right to the property was only inchoate, and as the same has not been fully confirmed by any condemnation, the original owners have a right to demand restitution of the goods or the value thereof. This right could be pleaded before the Court of Admiralty. Answer to the Second Question. I am of the opinion that monies which were owed to the Dutch Company or individuals cannot be regarded as praeda belli; such debts could not be condemned because they could not be conquered. In order to change the ownership of property flagrante bello, the same must be seized. I think that the captors of Chinsura had no right to those debts. These questions are of very great consequence; I therefore advise my clients to obtain the opinions of some eminent statesmen in Europe regarding this, and none more learned or more honorable can be found than in England. signed: W. Dunkin Calcutta 20 July 1787. W.D. 453 A Case for the opinion of Counsel A war takes place in 1780 in Europe between the English and Dutch nations. The English East India Company's Government at Calcutta in Bengal receive intelligence of the commencement of this war before the Dutch at Chinsura heard of it, and on the 4th July 1781 they sent a detachment of their forces assisted by a party of sailors from a sloop of war of the King of Great Britain to take possession of Chinsura the Dutch settlement on the river of Hooghly in Bengal, a town open and defenseless. The town is yielded at discretion. The Governor and Council became prisoners of war; the captors seize all the property found there, and immediately convert it to their own use, without any condemnation or adjudication in any Court of Prize or Admiralty. There is and then was a Court with admiralty jurisdiction at Fort William in Calcutta constituted under a Royal Charter granted by the authority of an Act of the British Parliament, 13 Geo. 3. Peace is restored. 1st Query: Does the want of such adjudication or condemnation in a Court of Prize or Admiralty affect in any degree the rights of the English East India Company to the property they so seized at Chinsura? Or does such seizure alone as is here before stated vest the right of such property indefeasibly in the English East India Company? 2nd Query: Are debts due to the Dutch Company, or to Dutch individuals by British subjects and others, vested by such capture in any and what manner in the said captors? Answer to the 1st Query. I am of opinion that a condemnation ought to have been had, agreeable to long-established usage which is become the Law of Nations. By the seizure the right to the property was but inchoate, and not having been rendered complete by condemnation, the original owners are entitled to restitution, or to the amount in value. The right may be tried by libel in the Admiralty or by action at law. Answer to the 2nd Query. I am of opinion that debts due to the Dutch Company or to Dutch individuals cannot be considered as praeda belli. There could have been no condemnation of such debts, because there could have been no seizure of them. In order to convert property, flagrante bello, there must be a seizure of it. I think the right to such debts has not been vested in the captors of Chinsura. These questions are of very important consequence; I therefore advise my clients to take the opinions of some eminent civilians in Europe; more learned or more honorable cannot be found than in England. Calcutta 20th July 1787 W. Dunkin Number 4. 454 Agreement entered into on the 14th December 1787 between Isaac Titsingh, Director on behalf of the Dutch East India Company's possessions in Bengal, residing at Chinsura, and William Dunkin of Calcutta, Barrister-at-Law. The said William Dunkin having been consulted by the said Isaac Titsingh respecting the rights claimed by the Dutch East India Company against the English East India Company on account of the conduct of the Governor General and Council of Fort William in Bengal respecting the capture of Chinsura and the subordinate settlements at Calcapore and Patna and seizure of the Dutch property there during the last war between the Dutch and English in the East Indies, and having given his opinion thereon that the Dutch East India Company
Dutch transcription
452 die zy in voege als voore te sinsura genomen heeft- of verkrijgt de Engelsche Compagnie een onbehristbaar recht van eigendom op die goede„ „ren alleen door het neemen van dezelve! tweede vraage. — Hebben de veroveraars door een dusdanige verovering eenig recht op gelden die Butsche onderdaanen of anderen aan de Hollandsch Compagnie of aan Hollandsche Particulieren schuldig zyn en zo Ja- waar in bestaat het zelve. Antwoord op de Eerste Vraag. Ik ben van gevoele dat er een Condemnatie had behooren plaats te hebben, navolgens een aloud gebruik het welk de Natien zich tot een wet hebben gemaakt. — Door de verovering was het recht op den eigendom alleen maar onvolkomen, en dewijl het zelven door geen Condemnatie ten vollen bekrachtigd is, hebbende Oorspronkelijke eigenaars recht om restitutie der goederen ofte de waarde van dien te vorderen. - dit recht zou men voor het Admiraliteits Hoff: kunnen be„ „pleiten Antwoord op de tweede Vraag. Ik ben van gevoele dat gelden welke men aan de Hollandsche Com„ „pagnie of particulieren schuldig was niet kunnen worden aangemerkt als Praeda Belli - dusdanige schulden konden niet worden geconden „neerd om dat ze niet veroverd konden worden - om eigendommen slagran „te Bello van meester te doen veranderen moeten dezelve worden verover Ik dent dat de veroveraars van Sinsura geen recht op die schulden hadden — deze vraagen zyn van zeer veel aangeleegenheid, ik raad dus myne dlienten om derweegens de gevoelens van eenige uitmun„ „tende staatkundigen in Europa in te neemen en daar kunnen er geen geleerder of honorabelder dan in Engeland gevonden worden /:getd:) W: Dunken Kalkatte 20:e July 1787. ƒ W:D: 453 A Case for the opinion of Council Awar takes placein 1780 in Europe between the English if Dutch nations. The English East India Companies Government at Calcutta in Bengall receive intelligence of the Commencement of this war before the Dutch at Chinsura heard of it, and on the 4th July 1781 they sent a detachment of their Forces assisted by aparty of Sailors from a floop of war of the King of Great Britain to take posses= „sion of Chinsura the Dutch settlement on the river of Houghly in Ben„ „gal, a town open and defenselfs – The town is Yeilded at discution The Gov. and Counc. be came prisoners of war the Captors seize all the property foind there, & immediately Convert it to their oun use, without any Condemnation or adjudication in any Court of Prize or admirally – there is and then was a Court with admiralty Juris„ „diction at Fort William in Calcutta Constituted under a Royal Charter granted by the Authority of an Act of the British Parliament. 13 Geo 3. CPeaca is restored. I Quere Does the want of such adjudication or Condemnation in a Court of Prize or admirally affect in anij degree the Eights of the English East India Company to the property they so seized at Chinsura? or does such seizure alone as is here before stated vest the reight of such property in defeajably in the English East India Company 2 Quere Are debts due to the Dutch Company, or to Dutch Individuals by British subjecto and other vested by such Capture in any and what manner in the said Captors answer to the 1sth. Quere. Jam of Opinion that a Condemnation ought to have been had, agreeable to long established usage which is be come the Law of na „tions. By the seizure the right to the property was but incohale, and not having been rendered Compleat by Condemnation, the original owners are intilled to restitution, or to the amount in Value – The right may be treed by Libel in the admiralty- orly Action at Law Answer to the 2d Quere. Jam of opinion that Debts due to the Dutch Company orto Dutch individuals Can not be considered as Proda Belli – there Coud have been no condemnation of such debts, because there Coud have been no seizure of them in order to Convert property, flagrante Bello, there mast be a seizure of it – ) think the right to such Debts has not been vested in the Captors of Chinsura – these questions are of verij important Consequence; therefore advise my clients to take the Opinions of Some eminent Civilians in Europe - more learnd or more honourable Can not be found thene in England. Calcutta 20ten July 1757 W Dunkin 1 N:o 4. 454 Overeenkomst getroffe den 14. December 1787. tussen Isaac Titsingh Directeur weegens de Neederlandse Oost, Indise Compagnie besittingen in Ben„ „gaale, resideerende te Chinsura William Dunkin of Calcutta Barister at Law. Voornoemde William Dunkin door voor¬ The said William Dunkin having „noemde Isaac Fitsingh geraadpleegd been Consulted by the said Isaac Litsingh zynde, omtrend het regt het welk de Neederlandse respecting the rights claimed by the Dutch Oost Indise Compagnie vermeend te hebben East India Company against the En„ teege de Engelse Oost Indise Compagnie wee„ glish East India Companij on account „gens het gedragen handelweise van den of the Conduct of the Governor General Gouverneur Generaal en raad van het Fort and Council of Fort William in William in Bengaale, over het inneemen Bengall respecting the Capture of van Chindurah en haare bezittingen op Chinsura and the Subordinante Calcapoer en Patna, en het wegneemen van Settlements at Calcapore and Pat„ de Neederlandse eigendommen en goederen na and seizure of the Dutch property aldaar in de laaste oorlog tussen de Nee„ there during the last was between „derlanders en Engelsen in de Oost Indien, the Dutch and English in the East daarop als zyn gevoele hebbende verklaard, Indies and having given his opinion dat de Neederlandse dost Indise Compagnie that the Dutch East India Companij William Dunken Isaac Titsingh Director for the Dutch East India Companij in Bengall residing at Chinsura. between Agreement entered into on the 14th. Decr. 1787. en and
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during which he as well as those whom he must employ to pursue this matter with all urgency will be compelled to incur unavoidable and heavy expenses, the aforementioned Isaac Titsingh declares to have finally agreed, on behalf of the Dutch Company, with the aforementioned William Dunkin regarding the following points: That the said William Dunkin is willing to undertake the lawsuit in England to maintain their rights and obtain compensation, on condition that the Dutch East India Company shall see fit to approve its commencement, without which consent this agreement shall be null and of no value. That upon the representation of the aforementioned William Dunkin of how he is already committed in Bengal to considerable expenses in order to obtain the necessary authenticated papers to commence this lawsuit upon them, how the costs of legal proceedings in England are exceedingly expensive, and that a long time may probably elapse before a judgment can be rendered in this matter, during which he as well as those of whom he must make use to pursue this matter with all urgency will be subjected to unavoidable heavy disbursements, the aforementioned Isaac Titsingh has finally agreed on behalf of the Dutch Company to have consented that the aforementioned William Dunkin, his heirs, or attorneys shall receive twenty-five per cent from the Dutch East India Company of all such monies as he shall recover through this lawsuit for compensation of the damage suffered by the Dutch East India Company for their account from the English East India Company, whether by judicial decree or by mutual agreement, and this both as a reward for his trouble and labor as advocate and as reimbursement for all such monies without any exception whatsoever which he shall have defrayed and expended for the undertaking and continuation of this lawsuit, whether in person or through those whom he might employ for that purpose.
Dutch transcription
455 geduurende welke zo wel hy als die geenen van will take a long time before a decision welken hy moet gebruyk maaken om die can be obtained in this Cause, during zaak met alle nadruk voort te setten tot on, which period he, as well as those who „vermeidelyke zwaare uytgiften zal genoot, heis to emploij in conducting this suit in het werk te stellen, is voornoemde Isaac measures for the recovery of the same, the „saakt zyn, verklaart voornoemde Isaac. Will beliable to heavij disburse„ Titsingh met welmelde William Dunkin said Isaac Sitsingh has Covenanted Titsingh ten laaste vooren van weege de „ments, it is at laast agreed by the overeengekoomen omtrend de ondervolgende withe the said William Dunkin in the Neederlandse Compagnie te hebben bewil„ said Isaac Sitsingh for and on be„ following manner. „ligd dat wel melde William Dunkin, zij, „ half of the Dutch East India Compa„ „ne Erfgenaame of gemagtigdens van de Nee, „ny that in Consideration there of the Dat gesegde William Dunkin bereid, The said William Dunkin is willing and „willig is het regtsgeding tot staaving haa, has agreed to Conduct the suits necessary derlandse Oost Indise Compagnie zal ont„ said William Dunkin his heirs Execut= „rer regten en erlanging van vergoeding in to establish their Eights and to obtain the fangen vyfen twintig ten honderd van alle or assigns shall have and receive twen„ zodanige gelden als hy door dit regts geding, tij five per Cent from the said Dutch Engeland te onderneemen, op voorwaarde above mentioned restaration in England, on dat de Neederlandse Oost Indise Compag, Condition that the Directors for the said Duteh tot vergoeding van de Schaade door de Nee, Company for all such Cums as shall „nie zal goedvinden dat het zelve zal werden Company shall authorise the Commencement „ derlandse Oost Indise Compagnie geleede voor be recovered on their account from the aangevange, buyten welker toestemming of anij such suit, this agreement beeing tobe derselver reekening van de Engels Oost Indise said English East India Companij Compagnie zal te rug erlangen, het zy by in consequence of those losses sus¬ deeze overeenkomst nul en van geene waar Considered as void and of no value in Case they should refese to give their assent there to geregtelyke uytspraak het zy byj weeder„ „ tained by the said Dutch East India „Leidse Overeenkomst, en dit zo ter beloo„ Companyj, either by such Suits or by Dat op vertooning van voornoemde William as it has been represented bij the said wil „ning zyner moeite en arbeid als Advo„ Any Compromise made between „caat als tot vergoeding van alle Zoda, the said Companijs as a recompence Dunkin hoe hij reeds in Bengale tot aansien liam Dunkin that he is under the „lyke uitgaaven verbonde is, ter erlanging, der Obligation to incur manij expences here „ nige gelden zonder eenige uijtsondering for his professional labour anda reim„ nodige geautentiseerde papieren om daar op dit in Bengall in order to procure the neces„ hoe ook genaamd welke hy tot ondernee „bursements of such sums, without „ming en voortsetting van dit regtsgeding any exception, whatever, as he maij ex„ regtsgeding te beginnen, hoe de kosten der regts„ sarij vouchers to support this suit, that het zy inpersoon dan wel door die geene pend either personally or bij those to be „pleegingen in Engeland ten hoogste kostbaar the Costs attending the proceedings at welke hij daar toe mogt emploijeeren emploijed by him in this Cause, in the zyn, en er vermoedelyk een lange teid kan verloo„ Law in England are verij exorbitant zal hebben bekostigd, en uyt gegeeven. prosecution of the said Claims. „ke alvoorens hier in uytspraak kan vallen, and that it is verij probable that it een billyk regt heeft de noodige middelen fore they have a legal right to take proper wegneeming en dus ter weedererlanging this Capture and Seizure and that there wettige klagten heeft over deeze inneemingen has lawfull reasons to Complain of poincten. „de zyn zal 2 2dly
English
456 The aforementioned William Dunkin declares that in case it should be decreed either by a Court of Justice or by arbitrators to whom this cause might be referred that the Dutch East India Company had no lawful title to the claims heretofore mentioned, it is agreed and the said William Dunkin promises that in such a case all expenses and disbursements whatsoever incurred by him or his agents will be made and remain on his own private account, without that the Dutch East India Company or the said Isaac Titsingh shall be obliged or liable to pay or restore the same or any the least part thereof. In case it should so happen that the Dutch East India Company should refuse to give their assent to the institution of such suits and should relinquish and abandon such their claims without compromise, and also in case the said Company should refuse to defray the expenses already incurred before the request for their approval was made, on the grounds that he, Isaac Titsingh, had no power without their prior consent and approval to enter into any such covenant or agreement, in such event the said Isaac Titsingh promises and binds himself to repay to the said William Dunkin, his heirs or assigns, out of his own private property, all such moneys as he in good faith shall have expended in the preparations he may make towards the commencement of such suits previous to having obtained the determination of the Dutch East India Company concerning the prosecution of this lawsuit, it being well understood that those moneys shall not on any account exceed the sum of five thousand Sicca rupees. The contracting parties mutually bind themselves for the performance of this agreement, in witness whereof three principal acts of this are made, which are signed and sealed with their seals by both contracting parties at Chinsurah in Bengal this fourteenth day of December one thousand seven hundred eighty-seven. I. Titsingh W. Dunkin 457 Sir, No. 5 Pursuant to my orders to seize all Dutch vessels and property at this place, I have demanded the surrender of the fort in order to enable me to take such vessels as were under its artillery. You cannot but be convinced of my moderation in granting a delay, since my boat crew was capable of overpowering the entire place. You have since (in accordance with what I told you) been taken by the Company's troops acting under the orders of the Governor-General. As I do not currently deem my presence necessary in your Council for the surrender of the fort (since it cannot be held in possession for His Majesty), I take the liberty to remind you de novo of my moderation and forbearance with respect to your vessels, and which 458 which nothing but an abhorrence of cruelty or piracy could prevent me from burning, taking, or otherwise destroying. I therefore expect that you, in your articles in favor of the Company, will take into consideration His Majesty's sloop the Nymph and the boat craft employed for this service, and hope that a suitable person may be appointed to examine the matter. I have detained a budgerow because it broke the parole which you gave, namely because it fled and was completely alongside my stern. I shall lay my conduct before my superiors, and have the honor to be, Sir, with great respect, Your Honor's very obedient and very humble servant, (signed) Samuel Eyre (in the margin) Aboard the schooner Narbedar in the roads of Chinsurah, the 5th of July 1781. (underneath) To the Governor of Chinsurah. (lower) Translated by (signed) P. van den Broeck.
Dutch transcription
456 toestemming en goedkeuring zig in Zoda, has no power to enter in to any such Verklaard voornoemde William Dun„ In lase it should be decreed either bij a „kin dat ingevalle de Neederlandse Oost Court of Justice or by artitators to „nig een verdrag en overeenkomst in te Covenant or agreement in Suchevents laaten, als dan Verbind hy Isaac Sitsingh the said Isaac Sitsingh promises Indise Compagnie het zy by geregtelyke whom this Cause meight be referred zig uyt zyne eigene gelden aan voornoemde to repay to the said William Dunkin uytspraak het zy by uytspraak van Scheids that the Dutch East India Company e William Dunkin zyne Erfgenaamen, of his heirs or assigns, out of his own mannen als andersonts mogt gedordeeld had no lawfull title to the Claims here Gemagtigdens te zullen betaalen, alle zo„ private propertij such Cums as he maij werden in haare aanspraak tot vergoeding to fore mentioned it is agreed and the van Schaade niet te zyn geregtigd, dat als dan said William Dunkin promises that „danige gelden, als hy ter goeder trouw zal bona fide have expended in the prepara alle de kosten hoe ook genaamd het zy door in such a Case all expenses and disbur hebben uytgegeeven in de toe bereidselen wel„ „tions he maij make towards the Com„ hem zelf dan wel door zyne g'emploijeer„ sements what soever incurred bij him „ ke hy alvorens, hy de toestemming der Nee„ „mencement of such Suits previous to „dens in deeze zaak gemaakt, voor zyne ree, or his agents, will be made and remain, derlandse Oost Indise Compagnie heeft the determination of the Dutch East In„ „kening en ten zynen laste zullen blyven, zonder on his own private account, without erlangd mogt gemaakt hebben ter voortset, „dia Companij Concerning the prosecution dat de Neederlandse Oost Indise Compagnie that the Dutch East India Company „ting van dit regts geding wel verstaande of the same, provided that such sums shall of voornoemde Isaac Litsingh zalgehou, or the said Isaac Titsingh shall be dat die gelden niet meerder zullen beloopen not on anij account exceed the sum of als een somma van vijf duysend sicca ropijen. five thousand Sicca rupees. „de zijn of kunnen aangesprooke werden, het obliged or liable to pay or restore the De contracteerende Partyen verbinden The Contracting parties do mutuallij allerminste van dezelven te vergoeden. Same or anij the least part there of zich onderling ter naarkoming van deeze bind themselves for the performance 4 Jhlij Ingevalle het mogt gebeuren dat de Nee. In Case it should so happen that the overeenkomst, P' oirconde van het welke hier of this agreement in witness where of van gemaaket, zyn arie principaale acten three principal acts are made of this „derlandse Oost Indise Compagnie niet Directors for the Dutch East India wilde bewilligen om dit regtsgeding te ondernee Companij in Netherland refuse to give welke door beide geteekend en met hunne zegels Signed and sealed by both the Contrac„ bekrachtigd zyn te Sinsura in Bengaale dezen „ ting parties at Hooglij in Bengall „men en deesen haaren Eischen aanspraak op their assent to the Institution of such veertienden dag van December een ducizend this fourtenth day of December one schadeloosstelling mogt opgeeven en vaa, suits and shall relinquish such their. zeeven honderd zeeven en tachtig thous and seven hundred eighty Seven. „ren laaten, als meede indien gemelde Com„ Claims Without Compromise and in Case „pagnie mogt weigeren de kosten reeds voor the said Companij should refuse to defraij het versoek om haare bewilliging gemaakt the expenses which may be incurred before te voldoen, op grond dat hy Isaac Titsingh their approbation Could be obtained geen magt had zonder haare voor afgaande because the said Isaac Sitsingh Vstungh geen because W Dimkin 32 dly 4. G: 457 Mijn Heer N 5 Jngevolge van mynen last om alle Holland„ „sche vaartuigen en eigendommen ter deezer plaatze in beslag te neemen, heb ik het sort opgeischt ten einde mij in staat te stellen om zodaanige Vaartuigen te neemen als onder deszelvs geschut waren. UWE, kan niet dan overtuigd zijn van mijne gematigdheid in het toestaan van uitstel, nadien myn bootsvolk in staat was om de geheele plaats te over„ „meesteren. UWE: is seedert /:ingevolge het geene ik uwE gezegd heb:/ genoomen ge„ „worden door de Compagnies troupen, welke onder de orders van den Gouverneur Gene„ „raal ageeren. Nadren ik myne teegen„ „woordigheid thans niet noodig oordeele in uwen Raad ter overgave van het fort /:nadien het voor zyne Majesteit niet in bezit kan worden gehouden:/ neem ik de vryheid om uE de novo te herrinnere myne gemaatigdheid en gelaatenheid met betrekking tot uwe vaartuygen, en welke 458 welke niets dan een afschrik van wreedheid of rooverij mij kon beletten te branden, te neemen, of anders te verdelgen. - Ik verwagt dus dat uwE in uwE artikelen in faveur van de Compagnie in aanmer„ „king zal neemen zyn Majesteits sloep de Nymph, en het boots vaartuijg tot deezen dienstgebruijk & hoop dat een geschikt Persoon mag worden aangesteld om de zaak te onderzoeken. Een badsjura heb ik aan„ „gehouden om dat ze dat Parool brak het welk uwE. gegeeven heeft. Namentlyk om dat ze vlugte & vol¬ „strekt aan boord van myn agter„ steeren was Ik zal myn gedrag voor mijne superieuren open leggen, en heb de Eere te zijn. Mijn Heer met groote Achting UwEde. zeer gehoorzame Accordeerd en zeer nedrige Dienaar /get: / Samuel Eyre /:ter zyde / aan boord van de schoener Narbe„ „dar op de reede van Sinsura den 5 July 1781 /:onderstond/ Aan den Gouverneur van Sin„ „sura /lager / Vertaald door /geteekend/ P van den Broeck D Van den broek eijclenq en
English
459 Sir In consequence of my orders to seize all Dutch Vessels and property at this place I demanded surrender of the Fort to enable me to take such Vessels as were under the Guns of it. You cannot but be conscious of my moderation in allowing a delay, as my boats' crew were able to master the whole place. You have been since, agreeable to what was told you, seized by the Company's Troops acting under the orders of the Governor General. As I do not think my presence now necessary at your Council for surrendering the Fort (as it cannot be held for His Majesty), I take the liberty of reminding you again of my moderation and Forbearance with Respect to your Boats etc., which nothing but an abhorrence of Cruelty or Rapine could prevent me from Burning, Taking, or otherwise destroying. I therefore expect that you will Consider in your articles in favour of the Company of His Majesty's sloop the Nymph and the Pilot Vessel employed on this service, and hope that a proper person may be appointed to enquire into the matter. One Budgero I have detained for Breaking that parole entered by you, viz. Running away, and was absolutely boarded under my Vessel's stern. I shall lay my proceedings before my superior, and have the Honour to be, below written: Sir, lower: with great Respect, beneath that: Your most obedient and most humble servant, was signed: Samuel Eyre, to the side: onboard Narbidas schooner Chinsura Roads, July 5th 1781. beneath that: To the Governor of Chinsura Agreed P. s van den Broeck 460 No. 6 To Captain Charles Chatfield Commanding at Chandernagore Sir You are hereby ordered to depart immediately with the force under your Command for Chinsurah to occupy all the avenues leading to the town both by water and by Land, not permitting any of the Inhabitants to leave the place, nor allowing any money, gold, or silver, or other effects to pass; having done this, you shall march with a Party to the Fort and demand from Mr. Ross the Governor the immediate surrender of the same together with the town and the Inhabitants; when you shall have received the keys of the Fort, you shall place Messrs. Purling, Sleatly, and Adair, Commissioners appointed for that purpose, into possession thereof as well as of the town. The Council cannot suppose that 461 that the Governor of Chinsurah will be so imprudent as to resist the summons, since he has no force that enables him to offer any resistance with success; but if he should, you shall, in such a case, declare him responsible for all the blood that, in consequence of such a refusal, might be uselessly spilled, and use your utmost efforts with the force that stands under your command to take possession of the Fort and the town and the effects, both public and private. The Council recommends you to treat the Inhabitants with all mildness, and that you do not permit any further violence to be committed than is strictly necessary to carry these orders into execution. Agreed below written: By order of the Honourable the Governor General and Council, signed: H. Bruere, acting Secretary, to the side: Fort William the 3rd July 1781, lower: for the Translation, signed: P. s vanden Broeck, J Vanden broek Elijleng. 462 To Captain Charles Chatfield Commanding at Chandernagore You are hereby directed to proceed immediately with the force under your Command to Chinsurah to secure all the avenues of the Town both by land and by water, suffering none of the Inhabitants to leave the place nor any money, Bullion, or other Effects to pass; having done this you will march with a party to the Fort and demand from Mr. Ross the Governor the immediate surrender of it together with the Town and Inhabitants; whenever you shall have received the Keys of the Fort you will put Messrs. Purling, Sleatly, and Adair, Commissioners appointed for that purpose, into possession thereof as well as of the Town. The Board cannot suppose that the Governor of Chinsurah will be so imprudent as to refuse obedience to the summons, having no Force to enable him to offer any Degree of Resistance with Effect; but if he should, you will in that case declare him charged with the responsibility of all the Blood that may be unnecessarily spilt in consequence of such Refusal and use your utmost Endeavors with the Forces under your Command to take possession of the Fort and Town, and of the Effects both public and private. The Board recommend to you to treat the Inhabitants with every degree of tenderness, and that you suffer no further violence to be offered than is necessary to Carry these orders into execution. below written: By order of the Honourable the Governor General and Council, was signed: W. Bruere, acting Secretary, to the side: Fort William the 3rd July 1781, beneath that: Agreed, signed: J. M. Ross, to the side: Which witness, signed: F. Wieman and F. s van den Broeck. Agreed P. s van den Broeck 463 To the Honourable J. M. Ross, Esq. Sir The Honourable the Governor General and Council, deeming it necessary to be provided with an accurate and authentic account of the circumstances that occurred at the surrender of the Fort and town of Chinsurah to the British arms, in order to prevent any disputes with the Officers of the Fleet who were then present, I have been directed by the Council to request that you please communicate to them such matters regarding this affair as you are aware of, and to inform them to whom the surrender took place and to whom the keys of the garrison were delivered. I have the Honour to be, below written: Sir, lower: Your most obedient and most humble Servant No.
Dutch transcription
459 Tir In consequence of mij orders to seize all Dutch Vessels & propertij at this place I demanded surrender of the Fort to tha Enable me to take such Vessels as were under the Guns of it. you can not but be conseious of mij moderation in allowing a delaij as mij boats Cew were able to master the whole place you have been since /:agreeble to what s'told ijou:/ been seizd bij the Companijs Troops acting under the orders of the Governor General as I do not think mij presence now necessaryj at your Council for surrendering the Fort (as it can not be held for his majesty) I take the liberty of reminding you again of my moderation & Forbearance with Respect to your Boats &c which nothing but an abhorrence of Crueltij or Rapine could prevent me from Burning, Taking otherwise distroying therefore expect that you will Consider in yjour articles: in in favour of the Company of His majes sloop the Nijmph & the Tilot Vessel emploijd on this service & hope that a proper person maij be appointed to enquire into the One Budgero I have detained for Breaking that parole entered bij you-vir¬ Running awaij. & was absolutelij boarder under mij Vessels stern. I shall laij mij proceedings be ford mij superior & have the Honour to be /:onderstond:/ Sir /:lager:/ with great Respect /:daar onder:/ Gous most obedient & most humble servant /:was geteekend:/ Samuel Eyre /:ter zijde:/ onboard Narbidas schooner Chinsina Roads, Julij 5„te 1781. (:daar onder:/ To the Governor of Chinsura Accordeerd D Van den broet e Caur matter. ƒ460 N„o 6 Aan Captain Charses Chatfielo Commandeerende te Chandernagoor Myn Heer UwE word mits deezen gelast om onmiddelyk met de magt onder uw Commando na sinsura te vertrekken om alle de toegangen tot de stad beide te water en te Land te be„ „zetten, niet toelaatende dat eenige van de Jnwoonders de plaats verlaaten, nog dat eenig geld, goud of zilver, of andere effecten passeeren; dit gedaan hebbende zult gij met een Party naar het Fort marcheeren en van de Heer Ross den Gouverneur afvorderen de ommiddely„ „ke overgave van het zelve te zaamen met de stad en de Jnwoonders; wanneer gij de sleutels van het Foort zult ontfangen hebben, zuld gy de Heeren Pwiling, sleatlij & Adair Commissarissen ten dien einde aangesteld, in het bezit daar van stellen zoo wel als van de stad. Den Raad kan niet veronderstellen dat 6 461 dat den Gouverneur van Sinsura zoo onvoorzichtig zal zyn om de opeissching te weederstreeven, nadien hy geen macht heeft welke hem in staat steld om met vrucht eenigen tee„ „genstand te bieden, dog indien hy mogt, zuld gy, in zoo een geval„ hem verklaaren verantwoordelyk te zyn voor al het bloed dat, in„ „gevolge van zoo eene weigering, nutteloos verspeld mogt worden, en uwe uiterste pogingen aan„ „wenden met de macht welke onder uw bevel staat, om het Fort en de stad en de effecten beide publiek en particulier in bezit te neemen. Den Raad beveelt uw aan om de Jnwoonders met alle zachtzinnigheid te behande¬ „len, en dat gij niet toelaat dat er eenig verder geweld ge„ „pleegd word dan volstrekt nodig is om deeze beveelen ter uytvoer Accordeerd te brengen. /ondersz / Ter ordre van den Edele den Gouverneur Generaal en Raad /:geteek„d/ H: Bruerb ageerend secret. s /ter zyde/ Fort William den 3e July 1781 /lager / voor de Vertaaling /geteekend/ P. s vanden Broeck J Vanden broe Kelijleng ƒ8 te 462. To Captain Charles Chatfield Commanding at Chandernagore You are here bij directed to proceed in mediatelij with the force under your Command to Chinsuah to secure all the avenues of the Town both bij land and bij water, suf¬ fering none of the Inhabitants to leave the place nor anij moneij, Bullion, or other Effects to pass, having done this you will march with apatij to the Fort and demand from Mr. Ross the Governor the immediate surrender of it together with the Town and Inhabitants, when ever you shall have received the Keijs of the Fort you will put Messr. Purling, sleatlij and Adair Commissarijs appointed for that purpose into possession thereof as well as of the Town The Board cannot suppose that the Governor of Chinsmah will be so imprudent as to refuse obedience to the summons having Tir having no Force to enable him to offer anij Degree of Resistance with Effect, but if he should, you will in that case declare him charged with the responsibility of all the Blood that maij be unnecessarilij spilt in consequence of such Refusal and use your utmost Endeavors with the Forces under your Command to take possession of the Fort and Town, and of the Effects both public and private. The Board recommend to you to treat the Inhabitants with everi degree of tenderness, and that you suffer no further violence to be offered than is necessari to Carrij these orders in to execution.- (:onderstond:/ Bij order of the Honble the Governor General & Council /:was geteekend:/ W Bruere aiting sec:s /: ter zijde:/ Fort William the 3„e Julij 1781 (:daar onder:/ Accordeert /:get:/ J. M. Ross /: ter zijde:/ 'T welk getuige /:get:/ F: Wieman en F„s van den Broeck. Accordeerd D Van den broe Elijling : 463 Aan den Edelen J: M: Rose schildk: Myn Heer De Edelen den Gouverneur Generaal en Raad het noodig oordeelende om voorzien te worden van een naauwkeurig en authen„ „ticq verhaal van de omstandigheeden voorgevallen by de overgaave van het Fort en de stad Sinsura aan de Engelschen wapenen, ter voorkoming van eenige ver„ „schillen met de Officiers van de Vloot wel„ „ke toen present waaren, ben ik door den Raad gelast om te verzoeken dat het UwE. gelieve hen zodaanige zaaken meede te deelen als waar van uwE deeze affaire betreffende bewust is en om hen te berigten aan wien de overgaave geschied is en aan wien de sleutels van het guarnezoen overgeleeverd zyn Ik heb de Eere te zyn /:onderstond/ Myn sleer /lager/ UwE: zeer gehoorzaame en zeer nedrige Dienaar N„o
English
Servant signed J: P: Auriol secretary in the margin Fort William the 25th October 1781. lower Translated signed P. van den Broeck Agreed 6 D. van den Broek Lijckleng 464 To the Honble J: M: Ross Esqr Sir The Honble the Governor General & Council judging it necessary to be furnished with a particular & authentic recital of the circumstances which attended the surrender of the Fort & Town of Chinsura to the English arms, in order to obviate any differences with the officers of the fleet who were present at the time, I am directed by the Board to request that you will be pleased to state to them such facts respecting this matter as you are acquainted with & to inform them to whom the surrender was made & to whom the keys of the Garrison were delivered I have the honor to be underscored Sir lower your most obedient & most humble servant signed J: P: Auriol Sec in the margin Fort William the 25th October 1781: D. van den Broek Lijckleng 6 guilders Agreed 465 J. P. Auriol Esqr Sir The letter which you pleased to direct to me by order of the Honourable the Governor General and Council, under date of the 25th instant, I duly received on the 27th following. In compliance with its contents, I hereby present you beforehand with a copy and a translation into the English language of that which I caused to be inserted into our resolution of the 4th of July last, when it was resolved to surrender the Fort and the Place of Chinsura to Captain Chatfield, and which was also immediately effected in the Assembly by the handing over of the keys of the Fort to that officer; while furthermore, both for further elucidation and for the upholding of the truth, I deem it necessary to add thereto that the naval officer mentioned in that writing, namely Lieutenant Samuel Eyre, appeared to me in every respect to be overcome by strong drink; indeed, his conduct was such that I would have had him placed under arrest, had I not been restrained by the apprehension that the sailors standing outside the fort, who according to the reports were also all drunk, might perhaps proceed to wantonness and acts of violence against the houses and residences in the town during the night, and thus the inhabitants would all have become sufferers for the sake of an unmannerly officer. In the event it might perhaps be of some use, I also add hereto a copy of a letter from the aforementioned Samuel Eyre dated the 5th of July, but received by me on the morning of the 4th, just after the surrender of the fort to Captain Chatfield. I have the honour to be undersigned as above Your Honour's most obedient servant in the margin the 29th of October 1781. was signed J. M. Ross D. van den Broek Lijckleng Agreed 466 J: P: Auriol Esqr The letter which it pleased you to direct to me by order of the honourable the Governor General and Council under the 25th I have received on the 27th. Instant. In Compliance with its Contents I previously herewith transmit you a Copy and Translate in English of the paper I have ordered to be inserted in our records under the 4th July last, at which time our board resolved to surrender the Fort and Town Chinsura to Captain Chatfield, and which was of course immediately effectuated by delivering the Keys of the Fort to that officer in full Council; whilst I think it necessary, as well to give you more elucidation as to assert the truth, to add thereto, that the officer mentioned in that paper viz: Lieutenant Samuel Eyre, seemed to me in every respect to be in liquor; at least his conduct was such that I should have arrested him, if not detained by the apprehension, that the sailors which stood before the Fort and who were according to what was reported to me also drunk might during the night perhaps proceed to some insolencies and Hostilitys to the houses and habitations in Town and that of Course the Inhabitants should become sufferers for the sake of an unbecoming officer. If it might be of some use I herewith send you a Copy of a letter of the said Samuel Eyre dated the 5th. July, but recd. by me the 4th in the morning soon after the Fort was surrendered to Captn Chatfield. I have the honor to be underscored Sir lower Your most obedient servant signed J: M: Ross. in the margin The 29th October 1781. Agreed D. van den Broeck Lijckleng. 467. Memorandum It was on the 3rd of July 1781, being Tuesday evening around 10 o'clock, that I was sitting at table having supper with Sister Vernet and the gentlemen Diemer, Blume, Sey and De Veelinghoff, when the Zamindar came to inform me that there were two Englishmen in the vestibule who wished to speak to me; having asked him whether they appeared to be persons of distinction, he answered no, indeed that one of them was dressed like a sailor; I therefore rose from the table, proceeded to them, and inquired the reason for their coming, whereupon the one, in a blue coat and white linen undergarments with a sword at his side, replied to me that he was sent by his officer to demand from me the fort and this place in the name of His Britannic Majesty and to take possession thereof; asking him who he, invested with such an important commission, actually was, his reply was a King's Officer
Dutch transcription
Dienaar /get„d/ I: P: Aurcol secret„s /:ter zijde:/ Fort William den 25:e October 1781. /lager / Vertaald / geteek:d / P=s van den Broeck Accordeerd 6 D Van den broedkelijleng 464 To the Honble J: M: Ross Esqr Sir The slonble the Governor General & Council judying it necessary to be furnished with a particular & authentie recital of the circumstances which attended the sur¬ render of the Fort & Town of Chinsura to the English arms, in order to obriated anij differences with the officers of the fleet who were present at the time, I am directed by the Board to request that you will be pleased to state to them such facts respecting this matter as you are acquainted with & to in form them to whom the surrender was made & to whom the keijs of the Garrison were I have the honor to be /:onderst„d/ Sir /:lager:/ your most obedient & most humble servant:/ get„t / I: P: Murcol sar /ter zijde:/ Fort William the 25th October 1781: de livered D Van den roel elijlenq ƒ6 Accordeerd 465 Ps: Aurcol Schilck Den brief, welke uwEd.e ter onder van den Edelen den Gouverneur Generaal en Raad, onder den 25:e deezer aan mij hebt gelieven te rigten, hebbe ik den 27:e daar aan wel ontfan„ „gen In voldoening aan dies inhoud biede uwEd„e vooraf hier bij aan Copia met een trans„ „laat in de Engelsche Taal van 't geene ik heb doen insereeren ter onzer resolutie van den 4„e Julij Jongstl:, wanneer er tot de overgave van 't Fort en de Plaats Chinsura, aan Captain Chatfueld, beslooten en zulks ook imme„ „diaat, in Vergadering, onder 't overgeeven der sleutels van 't Fort aan dien officier, g'effectueert wierd; terwijl voorts, zoo ter meerdere elucidatie, als tot voorstand der waar „heid, noodig agte daar toe te voegen, dat den by dat schriftuur vermelden zee officier, Lecute„ „nant Samuel Eyre namelyk, my in Mijn Heer allen 8 N„o 8 allen opzichten toescheen door den sterken drank bevangen te weezen; immers was zyne verhouding zoo„ „danig, dat hem in arrest zou hebben doen zetten, had mij de beduchting niet weederhouden, dat de buiten het fort staande Matroosen, die volgens de berigten meede alle bedrinken waaren, somwylen tot baldadig en gewel„ „dadigheeden aan de huyzen en woonin„ „gen in de stad, geduurende de Nagt, zouder overgaan en dus de bewoonders alle lyders geworden zyn om de wille van een onbehou„ „de Officier Of het somwylen van eenig nut zou kunnen weezen, zo voege deeze nog by Copia ee„ „nes briefs van meerm: Samuel Eyre gedat„d den 5:e Iulij, dog bij mij ontfangen den 4„e s' morgens even na de overgave van 't port aan Captain Chatfield Ik heb de Eer te zyn /:onderst:d / als boven uw Ed:s zeer gehoorzame Dienaar /ter zyde den 29„e October 1781. /was geteekend D. Van den broet Legen O: M: Ross Accordeerd 466 J:P: Auriol Esqr The letter which it pleased you to di¬ rect to me by order of the honourable the Go„ vernor General and Council under the 25the I have received on the 27the. Instant. In Complyance with its Contents I previously here with transmet you a Copij and Translate in English of the paper I have ordered to be inserted in our records under the 4the July last, at which time our boared resolved to surrender the Fort and Town Chinsura to Captain Chatfield, and which was of course immediately effec¬ tuated bij delivering the Keys of the Fort to that officer in full Council; whilst I think it necessary, as well to give you mone elucidation as to assert the truth, to add there to, that the officer mentioned in that Laper viz: Lieutenant Samuel Eyre, seemed to me in everij respect to be in liquor; at least his conduct was such that I should have arrested him, if not detained by the apprehension, that the saylons which stood Pol stood before the Fort and who where according to what was reported to me also drienk meight during the night perhaps proceed to some insolenties and Hostilitys to the houses and habitations in Town and that of Course the Inhabitants should become sufferers for the sake of an unbecoming If it meight be of some use I here with send you a Copij of a letter of the said Samuel Eyre dated the 5th. Julij, but recd. by me the 4the in the morning sa after the Fort was surrendered to Captn Chatfield I have the honor to be /:onderstond:/ ser /:lager:/ Your most obedient servant /:geteekend:/ J„ M: Ross. /:ter zide:/ The 29the October 1781. Accordeerd D Van den broeck GGfleng. officer. — 467. Piememoua Het was op den 3e Julij 1781, zijnde Dingsdag 'savonds omstreeks 10 uuren, dat met suster Vernet en de Heeren Diemer, Blume, Sey en de Veelinghoff aan tofel zat te souppieren, wanneer den Samandaar my kwam aankondigen, dat er twee Engelsche in 't Portaal waaren, welke my begeerden te spreeken, hem gevraagd hebbende of 't lieden van aanzien scheenen, zo antwoorde hy neen, immers dat een van hen als een Mattroos was gekleet; ik stond dus van de tafel op, 1/7 vervoegde my bij hen, vraagende de reeden hunner komst, waar op den eenen, in een blaauwe rok en witte linne onderkleederen met een deegen op zyde, mij repliceerde, dat hij door zyn officier wierd gezonden, om van mij 't sort en deeze plaats, in den naam van zyne Brittanische Majes„ „teit, op te eisschen en daar van possessee te neemen; hem vraagende wien hij, be„ „kleed met zulk een importante Commissie„ tog was! zo was zyn duppliek een Konings Officier Lo. L.
English
Officer, stationed on the war sloop the Nymph, Captain Steevens, who had commanded a lieutenant by name Samuel Eyze with 40 men in a Company's schooner hither for that purpose, and that he made this demand of me on the order of this lieutenant; asking him what proofs he had to produce for this extraordinary commission, his answer was none; wherefore I declared to him in this substance, that he, as I firstly did not know him and he secondly had no proofs whatsoever of his commission, had best remove himself from this fort and from here, that there was an English Governor General and Council in Calcutta who, in case of a war between the two nations, would address themselves to me in a more proper manner; but this man or officer, not holding himself satisfied with this, asked me whether I then had more respect for a Company's Governor than His Britannic Majesty, whereupon I added to him that it was not the matter here to account to him for that, but that I wished to testify to him that I possessed all the respect for His Britannic Majesty that was owed to a crowned head, upon which he departed, saying that he would make a report to his officer. A good hour after this, the aforementioned lieutenant appeared before the gate with 45 or 48 other seafaring men, with a request to be allowed to speak to the Governor. Having given order to open the small or water gate, and to admit the officer alone, he, having come to me, made the same demand as his messenger, and also received from me the same reply; however, he produced yet another paper, namely his commission as lieutenant, after the reading of which I said to him, whilst returning the same, that it made mention of nothing else than that he had been created a lieutenant by Sir Edward Hughes on the 22nd of March of the past year, and thus nothing of the commission which he said he now had, that he would therefore do well to march off peacefully with his men; but he, beginning to boast greatly of the resoluteness and bravery of his men, and I thus fearing that they might at times proceed to hostilities in the village during the night, also receiving the striking report that two battalions of sepoys were on the march hither from Chandernagor; so I changed tone, telling him that it was now night, and that he should therefore return tomorrow at 6 o'clock, when, after a meeting had been held, I would speak to him further: having reflected a little upon this, he said he was willing to condescend thereto, on condition that I gave him my word of honor to put nothing into effect during the night for further defense, which I complied with in order to be rid of him for once, and holding himself satisfied with this he marched off, after I had requested him to keep his people from improprieties or acts of violence during the night, which he promised me by handshake, and has also fulfilled. Having retired to rest a little, but being unable to sleep, I heard around half past one o'clock the sentry at the Garden Gate speaking to someone; this having lasted a good quarter of an hour, and having several times understood the word Governor, I arose and went to the gallery, asking him who stood outside who he was and what his desire was. Having received in reply that he was an officer of the regiment of Captain Chatfield, and had been sent by that commander to announce to me the outbreak of a war between the English and Dutch nations, and thus the order which he, commander, had received from the Governor General and Council in Calcutta to take possession of the fort and the town of Chinsurah; asking that officer where Captain Chatfield was, his answer was close by here, offering to have him called if I desired to speak to him. Having answered yes thereto and given orders to open the Garden Gate to admit only the aforementioned Captain and officer, they soon both appeared, whereupon Captain Chatfield first communicated his aforementioned commission to me by mouth, and thereupon gave his written order to read, containing as the attached copy and translation further shows. — Upon the opening of the Garden Gate, the village head peon Gangeram having also come inside, and having reported to me that not only were the avenues of the village already occupied by English sepoys, but also 2 battalions were drawn up around the fort, I thus declared to Captain Chatfield with regard to his commission that, although I had no power to resist him, it was nevertheless firstly night, and secondly I would proceed to no surrender until after a Council meeting had been held, that I would convoke the members of the Council for six o'clock, and therefore requested him to leave the lodge and return at the aforementioned time, when I would communicate our Council's resolution thereon to him, whereupon His Honor then also departed with his officer whom he had with him. signed J: M: Ross in the margin the 4th of July 1781. Agreed D van den broek
Dutch transcription
468 Officier, bescheiden op de Oorloge Chaloup the Nymph Captain Steevens, dewelke een Lieutenant in name Samuel Eyze met 40 Manschappen in een Compagnies schooner ten dien einde herwaarts had gecommandeert, en dat hy op order van deeze Lieutenant mij deezen Eisch deed; hem vragende welke bewyzen hy tot dee„ „zen buiten gemeene last had te produ„ „ceeren, was zijn antwoord geene; alwaar „omme hem in deezer substantie decla„ „reerde, dat hij, als hem voor eerst niet kennende en hij ten anderen geene bewyzen hoegenaamt van zynen last hebbende, best deed zig uit dit Fort en van hier te verwyderen, dat er een Engelschen Gou„ „verneur Generaal en Raad op Calcatte was, die zig, in Cas van een Oorlog tussen de twee Natien, wel op een eigener wyze aan mij zouden addresseeren; dan dee„ „zen Man of, Officier zig daar mede niet voldaan houdende, vroeg my, of ik dan meerder respect voor een Compagnies Gouverneur dan zyne Brittan=sche Ma„ Een groot Uur hier na verscheen opgem:e Lieutenant met 45 of 48 anderen zeevaarende voor de Poort, met verzoek om den Gouverneur te mogen spreeken, Order tot het opene der kleine of water Zoort, en het binnen laaten van den ofsi„ „cier alleen gegeeven hebbende, deed hyj by mij, gekoomen weezende, denzelven Eisch als zyn zendeling, en bekwam van mij ook het zelve repliek, egter vertoonde hij nog een papier, zyn Commissie van Lieutenant namelijk, na welkers lacture hem onder 'te te rug geeven van dezelve, zeide, dat ze, van niets anders mentie maakte, dan dat hij op den 22e Maart A:o P „jesteel had, waar op hem toevoegde, het hier de zaak niet te zyn, om my daarop aan hem te verantwoorden, egter hem wel wilde betuigen voor zyne Brittanische Majesteit al het respect te possedeeren dat men aan een gekroont hoofd verschul„ „digt was, hy hier meede heene gaande zeide rapport aan zyn officier te zullen doen Cesterd door 469 door ser Edward Hughes tot Lieutenant was gecreard, en dus niets van den Lastwel„ „ke hij zeide nu te hebben, dat hij derhalven wel zouden doen vreedzaam met de zynen af te marcheeren, dan hy beginnende breed op te snyden van de geresolveerd en braaf „heid zyner manschap, en ik dus Duch„ „tende dat ze geduurende de Nagt in het Dorp Somwijlen tot Vyandelykheeden zou„ „den overgaan, ook het treffend bericht be„ „koomende dat twee battagjons sepahis van Chandernagor herwaarts op march waaren; zoo veranderde van toon, hem zeggen, „de dat het nu Nagt was, en hy dus morgen om 6 uuren zoude wederom koomen, wanneer hem, na gehoudene vergadering, nader zou spreeken: zig hier op een weinig bedagt hebbende, zeide hy daar in wel te willen Condescendeeren, onder de mits dat hem min woord van eere gaf, niets, geduurende Nagt, ter meerdere defensie te zullen in 't werk stellen, 't welk om van hem eens ontslaagen te zyn, nakwam, en hier meede zig te vreeden houdende marcheerde hij af, na dat hem verzogt had zyn volk geduurende de nagt van onbehoorlykheeden of geweldadighee„ „den te weeder houden, dat hij mij bij hand geeving beloofde, en ook na is gekoomen. My een weinig ter ruste begeeven hebben, „de, dog niet kunnende slaapen, hoorde omstreeks ½ twee Uuren den schildwagt op de Tuijnpoort, teegen iemand spreeken, dit wel een kwar„ „tier Uur geduurt, en onderscheide keeren & woort van Gouverneur verstaan hebben „de, rees op, en begaf mij op de Bordes, vragen „de aan hem die buiten stond ween hy was, en wat zyn begeeren ware in repliek be„ „koomen hebbende, dat hij een officier van 't Regiment van Capt„n Chatfield was, en door dien Commandant was ge„ „zonden om mij aan te kondigen de uitbraak van een Oorlog tussen de Engelschen en Nederlandsche Natie, en de order dus die hy Commandant van den Gouver„ „neur Generaal en Raad te Calcutta had bekoomen om bezit van't Fort en de stad Chensurah te neemen; dien officier houdende vragende 470 vraagende waar Captain Chatfield was, was zin antwoord hier kort bij, onder aan „beeding hem te zullen laaten roepen als hen begeerde te spreeken, Ja hier op ge„ „antwoord en order tot het openen der Thuyn Poort gegeeven hebbende om gem„ Captain en officier alleen binnen te laa „ten, verschenen ze eerlang beide, wan„ „neer Captain Chatsie Ed mij eerst by monde opgem„e zijnen last Communi„ „ceerde, en daar op zine schriftelyke order ter Lectuur gaf, behelzende zo als de deezen bygevoegde Copia en Translaat nader aantoont. — Bij 't openen van de Thuyn Poort den Dorp hoofd Peon Gan „geram meede binnen gekoomen weezende, en my gerapporteert hebbende, dat niet alleen de avenues van het Dorp door Engelsche Sepahis reets bezet waaren, maar ook 2 Battaljons rond om 't Fort geschaard stonden, zoo declareerde aan Captein Chatfield met betrekking tot zijnen last, dat ofschoon ik geen magt had om hem te resisteeren, het egter voor Accordeerd s eerst nagt was, en ik ten anderen tot geene overgave zoude procedeeren dan na gehou„ „dene Raads vergadering, dat ik de Leeden van den Raad teegens ses uuren zoude Convoceeren, en hem dus verzogt zig uit de Losie te begeeven, en teegen den gem„ „tijd wederom te koomen, wanneer hem ons Raads besluyt daar op zoude Com„ „municeeren waar op zyn E. dan ook met zyn bij hem hebbende officier vertrok /:was geteekend/ I: M: Ross /ter zyde den 4e July 1781. D van den broe Kelijling eerst
English
474 Pro Memoria It was on the 3d July 1781, being Tuesday, about 10 o'clock in the evening, that I sat at table supping with my sister, Mr. Vernet, and Messrs. Diemer, Blume, Ley, and de Vielinghoff, when the Tammadare informed me that two Englishmen were at the door who desired to speak with me. Asking him whether it seemed they were gentlemen, he answered in the negative, at least that one of them was dressed like a sailor. I then rose up from the table and went to them, asking the reasons of their arrival, upon which one of them, in a blue coat and white linen waistcoat and breeches with a sword on, answered that he was sent by his officer to demand from me in the name of His British Majesty the surrender of the fort and this town and to take possession thereof. I then asked him who he, charged with such an important 472 commission, might be, and he answered, a King's officer of the sloop of war the Nymph, Captain Steeven, who had ordered a Lieutenant named Samuel Eyre with 40 men in a Company's schooner to this place for the purpose, and that it was this Lieutenant by whose orders he made the demand. Asking him what proofs he had to produce for this uncommon order, he answered none, for which reasons I declared to him in substance that, as he was unknown to me and he had no proofs whatsoever for his commission, he would do best to leave this fort and place, that at Calcutta there was an English Governor General and Council who, in case of a war between the two nations, would address themselves to me in a more proper manner. However, this man or officer, being not satisfied with this answer, asked me whether I had more respect for a Company's Governor than for His British Majesty, upon which I told him that it was not the case here to vindicate myself to him for that purpose, yet that I was willing to declare to him that I deferred all the respect to His British Majesty due to all crowned heads. He then went off, saying that he would bring the report to his officer. More than an hour after this, the above-mentioned Lieutenant with 25 or 48 other mariners appeared at the gate, desiring to speak with the Governor. Having ordered to open the small or water gate and to allow only the officer to come in, he made at his arrival the same demand from me as his messenger and got also the same for reply. He however showed me a paper, viz., his commission as a Lieutenant, after the perusal of which I told him, whilst I delivered it back again, that nothing was mentioned in it but that he was appointed a Lieutenant on the 22d March of this year by Sir Edward Hughes, and of course nothing of the order which he now pretended to have, that therefore he would do 473 well peacefully to walk off with his men. However, as he began to boast of the resoluteness and bravery of his men, and I, fearing that during the night they might proceed to some hostilities in the town, getting also the disagreeable intelligence that two battalions of Sepoys were marching from Chandernagore to this place, I began to talk at a lower rate, telling him that it was night now and that he could come back again the next morning at 6 o'clock, when I would assemble the Council and afterwards speak with him. Having deliberated thereupon a little while, he said that he was willing to consent thereto, provided I gave him my word of honor not to undertake anything during the night for any more defence, which, in order to get once rid of him, I did; and being then satisfied, he went off, after I had desired him to prevent his people from committing any irregularities or hostilities during the night, which he promised me by hand giving and which he also observed. Being gone to bed but not able to sleep, I heard about half an hour past two o'clock the sentry on the gate towards the garden speaking with somebody; this lasted about a quarter of an hour and as I heard repeatedly the word Governor, I rose and went to the board, asking him that was abroad who he was and what was his desire, upon which I got for answer that he was an officer of Captain Chatfield's regiment and that he was sent by that Commander in order to announce to me that a war broke out between the English and Dutch nations and that the Commander was ordered by the Governor General and Council at Calcutta to take possession of the fort and town of Chinsurah. I then asked that officer where Captain Chatfield was, and he answered me that he was near, offering me at the same time to send for him if I wished to speak with him. I answered in the affirmative, and having ordered the 474 gate towards the garden to be opened and only to allow Captain Chatfield and the officer to come in, they soon both appeared, when Captain Chatfield previously communicated to me his order verbally, the 4th July 1781, which he afterwards gave me in writing for my perusal, the contents of which the accompanied copy and translate will show. The head Peon of the village named Gangaram, who also entered when the gate was opened, having informed me that all the avenues of the town were not only guarded by English Sepoys but that also two battalions were posted round the fort, I declared to Captain Chatfield in regard to his order that, though I had no force to resist him, it was however night now and that I should not proceed to a surrender before I had assembled my Council, that I would convoke the members of the Council at six o'clock, and that of course I desired him to leave the factory and to return at the above-mentioned time, when I would communicate to him the resolution of the board on the subject; in consequence of which he and his officer departed. Signed: J. M. Ross Agreed: D. Van den Broeck, by Council mentioned
Dutch transcription
474 Pro Memoria It was on the 3d July 1781, being Tues day about 10 a Clock in the evening that I sat at table supping with my sister Mr. Vernet and Messrs. Diemer, Blume, Ley and de Vielinghoff when the Tammadare informed me that two English men were at the dooe who defired to speak with me; asking him whether it seemed they where Gentlemen, he answered in the negative, at least that one of them was dressed like a sailor; I than rose up from the table and went to them, asking the reasons of their arrival, upon which one of them, in a blew Coat and white lin„ nen waistcoat and breeches with a Sword or, answered, that he was sent by his officer to demand from me in the name of his British Majesty the Surren„ der of the Fort and this Town and to take possession thereof; I than asked him, who he, charged with such an impor„ tant 472 tant Commission, meight be? and he answered, a kings officer of the sloop of war the Nymph Captain Steeven who had ordered a Lieutenant named Samuel Eyre with 40 men in a Com„ panys Schooner to this place for the pur pose, and that it was this Lieutenant by whose orders he made the demand; asking him what proves he had to preduce for this uncommon order, he answered none, for which reasons I declared him in Substance, that, as he was unknown to me and he had no proves whatsoever for his Commission, he would do best to leave this Fort and place, that at Calcutta there was an English Governor General and Council who, in case of a war between the two Nations, would address themselves to me in a more proper manner; however this man or officer, being not satisfyd with this answer, asked me, whether I had more respect for a Companys Governor than for his British Majesty, upon which I told him that it was not the Case here to vindicate myself to him for that purpose, yet that I was willing to declare to him, that I deferred all the respect to his British Mujestij due to all Crowned Heads; he than went of saying that he would being the report to his officer. More than an hour after this, the above mentioned Lieutenant with 25. or 48 other Mariners appeared at the gate, desiring the to speak with governor. Having ordered to open the small or water gate and to alloue only the officer to come in, he made d at his arrival the same demand from me as his messenger and got also the same for reply; he however shewed me a paper, viz: his Commission as a Lieutenant, after the perusal of which, I told him, whilst I delivered it back again, that nothing was mentioned in it but that he was appointed a Lieutenant on the 22d march of this year by Sir Edward Hughes, and of Course nothing of the order which he now preten„ ded to have, that therefore he would do Case welk 473 well peacefull to walk of with his men, however as he began to boast of the resolute nes and bravery of his men and I fearing that during the night they meight pro„ ceed to some hostilitys in the town, getting also the disagreable intelligence that two battalions of Sepoys were marching from Chandernagore to this place, I began to talk at a lower rate, telling him that it was night now and that he could come back again the next morning at 60 Clock, when I would assemble the Council and afterwards speak with him: having de„ liberated there upon a little while, he said that he was willing to consent there to, provicted I gave him mij word of honor not to undertake any thing during the night for any more defence, which, in or„ der to get once rid of him, I did; and being than satisfyd he went of, after I had defited him to prevent his people not to Commit any irregularitys or hostilitijs during the night, which he promised me by hand giving and which he also observed. Breing gone to ded but not able to sleep, I heard about half an houe past two a Clock the Centry on the gate to wards the of garden speaking with some body; this lasted about a quarter of an hour and as I heard repeatedly the word of Governor I rose and went to the bordes, as kinghim that was abroad who he was and what was his desire upon which I got for an¬ siver, that he was an officer of Captain Chatfields regement and that he was sent by that Commander in order to announce to me that a war bioke out between the English and Dutch Na¬ tions and that he Commander was ordered by the Governor General and Council at Calcutta to take possession of the Fort and Town of Chinsurah; I then asked that officer where Captain Chatfield was, and he answered me that he was near, offering me at the same time to send for him if I wished to speak with him, I answered in the affirmative and having ordered the Being gaeten 474 gate towards the garden to be opened and only to allow Captain Chatfield and the officer to come in, they soon both appeared, when Captain Chatfield previously Communicated to me his order verballiy, the 4th. July 1781. which he afterwards gave me in writing for my perusual, the contents of which the accompanyd Copy and Translate will shew. – The head Peon of the Village named Gangaram, who also entred when the gate was opened, having informed me that all the ave„ nues of the Town were not only gar ded bij English Sepoys bet that also two batallions were posted round the Fort, I declared to Captain Chatfield in regard to his order, that, the I had no force to resist him, it was houever night now and that I should not pro¬ ceed to a surrender before I had assent bled my Council, that I would convocate the members of the Council at Six o Clock and that of Cowrse I desired him to leave the factory and to return at the above mentioned time, when I would Commu„ nicate to him the resolution of the board on the subject; in Consequence of which of he and his officer departed. /: Signed:/ J: M: Ross Accordeerd D Van den broeck lij Con s mentioned ƒ