Memoir Of Hendrick Zwaardecroon, Commandeur Of Jaffnapatam Part 5

I remain, Sirs, Yours faithfully, H. ZWAARDECROON.

Jaffnapatam, January 1, 1697.

APPENDIX.

A.--The above Instructions were ready for Your Honours when, on January 31 last, the yacht "Bekenstyn" brought a letter from Colombo dated January 18, in which we were informed of the arrival of our new Governor, His Excellency Gerrit de Heere. By the same vessel an extract was sent from a letter of the Supreme Government of India of October 19 last, in which my transfer to Mallabaar has been ordered. But, much as I had wished to serve the Company on that coast, I could not at once obey the order owing to a serious illness accompanied by a fit, with which it pleased the Lord to afflict me on January 18. Although not yet quite recovered, I have preferred to undertake the voyage to Mallabaar without putting it off for another six months, trusting that G.o.d will help me duly to serve my superiors, although the latter course seemed more advisable on account of my state of health. As some matters have occurred and some questions have arisen since the writing of my Memoir, I have to add here a few explanations.

B.--Together with the above-mentioned letter from Colombo, of January 18, we also received a doc.u.ment signed by both Their Excellencies Governors Thomas van Rhee and Gerrit de Heere, by which all trade in Ceylon except that of cinnamon is made open and free to every one. Since no extract from the letter from Batavia with regard to this matter was enclosed, I have been in doubt as to how far the permission spoken of in that doc.u.ment was to be extended. As I am setting down here my doubt on this point, His Excellency the Governor and the Council of Colombo will, I have no doubt, give further information upon it. I suppose that the trade in elephants is excepted as well as that in cinnamon, and that it is still prohibited to capture, transport, or sell these animals otherwise than on behalf of the Company, either directly or indirectly, as has been the usage so far.

C.--I suppose there will be no necessity now to obtain the areca-nuts as ordered in the Instructions from Colombo of March 23, 1695, but that these nuts are included among the articles open to free trade, so that they may be now brought from Jaffnapatam through the Wanni to Tondy, Madura, and Coromandel, as well as to other places in Ceylon, provided the payment of the usual Customs duty of the Alphandigo, [69] which is 7 1/2 per cent. for export, and that it may also be freely transported through the Pa.s.ses on the borders of the Wanni, and that no Customs duty is to be paid except when it is sent by sea. I understand that the same will be the rule for cotton, pepper, &c., brought from the Wanni to be sent by sea. This will greatly increase the Alphandigo, so that the conditions for the farming of these must be altered for the future accordingly. If the Customs duty were also charged at the Pa.s.ses, the farming out of these would still increase, but I do not think that it would benefit the Company very much, because there are many opportunities for smuggling beyond these three Pa.s.ses, and the expenditure of keeping guards would be far too great. The duty being recovered as Alphandigo, there is no chance of smuggling, as the vessels have to be provided with proper pa.s.sports. All vessels from Jaffnapatam are inspected at the Waterfort, Hammenhiel and at the redoubt Point Pedro.

D.--In my opinion the concession of free trade will necessitate the remission of the duty on the Jaffnapatam native and foreign cloths, because otherwise Jaffnapatam would be too heavily taxed compared with other places, as the duty is 20 and 25 per cent. I think both the cloths made here and those imported from outside ought to be taxed through the Alphandigo of 7 1/2 per cent. This would still more increase the duty, and this must be borne in mind when these revenues are farmed out next December, if His Excellency the Governor and the Council approve of my advice. The duty of 25 per cent. is far too high, and it must be remembered that this was a duty imposed with a view to prevent the weaving of cloths and to secure the monopoly of the trade to the Company, and not in order to make a revenue out of it. This project did not prove a success; but I will not enter into details about it, as these may be found in the questions submitted by me to the Council of Ceylon on January 22, 1695, and I have also mentioned them in this Memoir under the heading of Rents.

E.--It seems to me that henceforth the people of Jaffnapatam would, as a result of this free trade, be no longer bound to deliver to the Company the usual 24 casks of coconut oil yearly before they are allowed to export their nuts. This rule was laid down in a letter from Colombo of October 13, 1696, with a view to prevent Ceylon being obliged to obtain coconut oil from outside. This duty was imposed upon Jaffnapatam, because the trees in Galle and Matura had become unfruitful from the Company's elephants having to be fed with the leaves. The same explanation was not urged with regard to Negombo, which is so much nearer to Colombo than Galle, Matura, or Jaffnapatam, and it is a well-known fact that many of the ships from Jaffnapatam and other places are sent with coconuts from Negombo to Coromandel or Tondel, while the nuts from the lands of the owners there are held back. I expect therefore that the new Governor His Excellency Gerrit de Heere and the Council of Colombo will give us further instructions with regard to this matter. More details may be found in this Memoir under the heading of Coconut Trees.

F.--A letter was received from Colombo, bearing date March 4 last, in which was enclosed a form of a pa.s.sport which appears to have been introduced there after the opening of the free trade, with orders to introduce the same here. This has been done already during my presence here and must be continued.

G.--In the letter of the 9th instant we received various and important instructions which must be carried out. An answer to this letter was sent by us on the 22nd of the same month. One of these instructions is to the effect that a new road should be cut for the elephants which are to be sent from Colombo. Another requires the compilation of various lists, one of which is to be a list of all lands belonging to the Company or given away on behalf of it, with a statement showing by whom, to whom, when, and why they were granted. I do not think this order refers to Jaffnapatam, because all fields were sold during the time of Commandeur Vosch and others. Only a few small pieces of land were discovered during the compilation of the new Land Thombo, which some of the natives had been cultivating. A few wild palmyra trees have been found in the Province of Patchelepalle, but these and the lands have been entered in the new Thombo. We cannot therefore very well furnish such a list of lands as regards Jaffnapatam, because the Company does not possess any, but if desired a copy of the new Land Thombo (which will consist of several reams of imperial paper) could be sent. I do not, however, think this is meant, since there is not a single piece of land in Jaffnapatam for which no taxes are paid, and it is for the purpose of finding this out that the new Thombo is being compiled.

H.--The account between the Moorish elephant purchasers and the Company through the Brahmin Timmerza as its agent, about which so much has been written, was settled on August 31 last, and so also was the account of the said Timmerza himself and the Company. A difficulty arises now as to how the business with these people is to be transacted; because three of the princ.i.p.al merchants from Galconda arrived here the other day with three cheques to the amount of 7,145 PaG.o.das in the name of the said Timmerza. According to the orders by His Excellency Thomas van Rhee the latter is no longer to be employed as the Company's agent, so there is some irregularity in the issue of these cheques and this order, in which it is stated that the cheques must bear the names of the purchasers themselves, while on the other hand the purchasers made a special request that the amount due to them might be paid to their attorneys in cash or elephants through the said Timmerza. However this may be, I do not wish to enter into details, as these matters, like many others, had been arranged by His Excellency the Governor and the Council without my knowledge or advice. Your Honours must await an answer from His Excellency the Governor Gerrit de Heere and the Council of Colombo, and follow the instructions they will send with regard to the said cheques; and the same course may be followed as regards the cheques of two other merchants who may arrive here just about the time of my departure. I cannot specify the amount here, as I did not see these people for want of time. The merchants of Golconda have also requested that, as they have no broker to deal with, they may be allowed an advance by the Company in case they run short of cash, which request has been communicated in our letter to Colombo of the 4th instant.

I.--As we had only provision of rice for this Commandement for about nine months, application has been made to Negapatam for 20,000 paras of rice, but a vessel has since arrived at Kayts from Bengal, belonging to the Nabob of Kateck, by name Kaimgaarehen, and loaded as I am informed with very good rice. If this be so, the grain might be purchased on behalf of the Company, and in that case the order for nely from Negapatam could be countermanded. It must be remembered, however, that the rice from Bengal cannot be stored away, but must be consumed as soon as possible, which is not the case with that of Negapatam. The people from Bengal must be well treated and a.s.sisted wherever possible without prejudice to the Company; so that they may be encouraged to come here more often and thus help us to make provision for the need of grain, which is always a matter of great concern here. I have already treated of the Moorish trade and also of the trade in grain between Trincomalee and Batticaloa, and will only add here that since the arrival of the said vessel the price has been reduced from 6 to 5 and 4 fannums the para.

K.--On my return from Colombo last year the bargemen of the Company's pontons submitted a pet.i.tion in which they complained that they had been obliged to make good the value of all the rice that had been lost above 1 per cent. from the cargoes that had been transported from Kayts to the Company's stores. They complained that the measuring had not been done fairly, and that a great deal had been blown away by the strong south-west winds; also that there had been much dust in the nely, and that besides this it was impossible for them to prevent the native crew who had been a.s.signed to them from stealing the grain both by day and night, especially since rice had become so expensive on account of the scarcity. I appointed a Committee to investigate this matter, but as it has been postponed through my illness, Your Honours must now take the matter in hand and have it decided by the Council. In future such matters must always be brought before the Council, as no one has the right to condemn others on his own authority. The excuse of the said bargemen does not seem to carry much weight, but they are people who have served the Company for 30 or 40 years and have never been known to commit fraud. It must also be made a practice in future that these people are held responsible for their cargo only till they reach the harbour where it is unloaded, as they can only guard it on board of their vessels.

L.--I have spoken before of the suspicion I had with regard to the changing of golden PaG.o.das, and with a view to have more security in future I have ordered the cashier Bout to accept no PaG.o.das except directly from the Accountant at Negapatam, who is responsible for the value of the PaG.o.das. He must send them to the cashier in packets of 100 at a time, which must be sealed.

M.--The administration of the entire Commandement having been left by me to the Opperkoopman and Dessave Mr. Ryklof de Bitter and the other members of the Council, this does not agree with the orders from the Supreme Government of India contained in their letter of October 19 last year, but since the Dessave de Bitter has since been appointed as the chief of the Committee for the pearl fishery and has left already, it will be for His Excellency the Governor and the Council to decide whether the Lieutenant Claas Isaacsz is to be entrusted with the administration, as was done last year.

Wishing Your Honours for the second time G.o.d's blessing,

I remain, Yours faithfully, (Signed) H. ZWAARDECROON.

On board the yacht "Bekenstyn," in the harbour of Manaar, March 29, 1697.

SHORT NOTES by Gerrit de Heere, Governor of the Island of Ceylon, on the chief points raised in these Instructions of Commandeur Hendrick Zwaardecroon, for the guidance of the Opperkoopman Mr. Ryklof de Bitter, Second in authority and Dessave of the Commandement, and the other members of the Political Council of Jaffnapatam. Where the notes contradict the Instructions the orders conveyed by the former are to be followed. In other respects the Instructions must be observed, as approved by Their Excellencies the Governor-General and the Council of India.

1. The form of Government, as approved at the time mentioned here, must be also observed with regard to the Dessave and Secunde, Mr. Ryklof de Bitter, as has been confirmed by the Honourable the Government of Batavia in their special letter of October 19 last.

2. What is stated here is reasonable and in compliance with the Instructions, but with regard to the recommendation to send to Mr. Zwaardecroon by Manaar and Tutucorin advices and communications of all that transpires in this Commandement, I think it would be sufficient, as Your Honours have also to give an account to us, and this would involve too much writing, to communicate occasionally and in general terms what is going on, and to send him a copy of the Compendium which is yearly compiled for His Excellency the Governor. This we authorize Mr. de Bitter and the other members of Council to do.

3. We fully confirm the recommendation here given.

4. The Wanni, the largest territory here, has been divided by the Company into several Provinces, which have been given in usufruct to some Majoraals, who bear the t.i.tle of Wannias, on the condition that they should yearly deliver to the Company 42 1/2 alias (elephants). The distribution of these tributes is as follows:--

Alias.

Don Philip Nellamapane and Don Gaspar Ilengenarenne, for the Provinces of-- Pannegamo 17 Pelleallacoelan 2 Poedicoerie-irpoe 2 ---- 21

Don Diogo Poevenelle Mapane, for the Provinces of-- Carrecattemoele 7 Meelpattoe 5 ---- 12

Don Amblewannar, for the Province of-- Carnamelpattoe 4

Don Chedoega Welemapane, for the Province of-- Tinnemerwaddoe 2

Don Peria Meynaar, for the Province of-- Moeliawalle 3 1/2 ====== Total 42 1/2

The acc.u.mulated arrears from the years 1680 to 1694, of which they were discharged, amounted to 333 1/2 elephants. From that time up to the present day the arrears have again acc.u.mulated to 86 3/4 alias, namely:--

Alias.

Don Philip Nellamapane 57 1/2 Don Diogo Poevenelle Mapane 23 Peria Meynaar Oediaar 4 3/4 Chedoega Welemapane 1 1/2 ====== Total 86 3/4

The result proves that all the honour and favours shown to these people do not induce them to pay up their tribute; but on the contrary, as has been shown in the annexed Memoir, they allow them to go on increasing. This is the reason I would not suffer the indignity of requesting payment from them, but told them seriously that this would be superfluous in the case of men of their eminence; which they, however, entirely ignored. I then exhorted them in the most serious terms to pay up their dues, saying that I would personally come within a year to see whether they had done so. As this was also disregarded, I dismissed them. Don Philip Nellamapane and Don Gaspar Ilengenarenne, who owed 57 1/2 alias, made the excuse that these arrears were caused by the bad terms on which they were with each other, and asked that I would dissociate them, so that each could pay his own tribute. I agreed that they should arrange with the Dessave about the different lands, writing down on ola the arrangements made, and submitting them to me for approval; but as I have heard no more about the matter up to the present day, I fear that they only raised these difficulties to make believe that they were unable to pay, and to try to get the Company again to discharge them from the delivery of their tribute of 21 elephants for next year. It would perhaps be better to do this than to be continually fooled by these people. But you have all seen how tremblingly they appeared before me (no doubt owing to a bad conscience), and how they followed the palanquin of the Dessave like boys, all in order to obtain more favourable conditions; but I see no reason why they should not pay, and think they must be urged to do so. They have promised however to pay up their arrears as soon as possible, so that we will have to wait and see; while Don Diogo Poevenelle Mapane also has to deliver his 23 alias. In compliance with the orders from Colombo of May 11, 1696, Don Philip Nellamapane will be allowed to sell one elephant yearly to the Moors, on the understanding that he had delivered his tribute, and not otherwise; while the sale must be in agreement with the orders of Their Excellencies at Batavia, contained in their letter of November 13, 1683. The other Provinces, Carnamelpattoe, Tinnemerwaddoe, and Moeliawalle are doing fairly well, and the tribute for these has been paid; although it is rather small and consists only of 9 1/2 alias (elephants), which the Wannias there, however, deliver regularly, or at least do not take very long in doing so. Perhaps they could furnish more elephants in lieu of the t.i.thes of the harvest, and it would not matter if the whole of it were paid in this way, because this amount could be made up for by supplies from the lands of Colombo, Galle, and Matara, or a larger quant.i.ty could be ordered overland.

That the Master of the Hunt, Don Gasper Nitchenchen Aderayen, should, as if he were a sovereign, have put to death a Lascoreen and a hunter under the old Don Gaspar on his own responsibility, is a matter which will result in very bad consequences; but I have heard rumours to the effect that it was not his work, but his father's (Don Philip Nellamapane). With regard to these people Your Honours must observe the Instructions of Mr. Zwaardecroon, and their further actions must be watched; because of their conspiracies with the Veddas, in one of which the brother of Cottapulle Odiaar is said to have been killed. Time does not permit it, otherwise I would myself hold an inquiry.

5. Mantotte, Moesely, and Pirringaly, which Provinces are ruled by officers paid by the Company, seem to be doing well; because the Company received from there a large number of elephants, besides the t.i.thes of the harvest, which are otherwise drawn by the Wannias. The two Wannias, Don Philip Nellamapane and Don Gaspar, complain that they do not receive the tribute of two elephants due to them from the inhabitants of Pirringaly, but I do not find in the decree published by Commandeur Blom on June 11, 1693, in favour of the inhabitants, any statement that they owe such tribute for liberation from the rule of the Wannias, but only that they (these Wannias) will be allowed to capture elephants. These Wannias, however, sent me a dirty little doc.u.ment, bearing date May 12, 1694, in which it is stated that the hunters of Pirringaly had delivered at Manaar for Pannengamo in the year 1693 two alias, each 4-3/8 cubits high. If more evidence could be found, it might be proved that such payment of 2 alias yearly really had to be made, and it would be well for Your Honours to investigate this matter, because it is very necessary to protect and a.s.sist the hunters as much as possible, as a reward for their diligence in the capture of elephants. Payment must be made to them in compliance with the orders of His Excellency van Mydregt.

6. Ponneryn, the third Province from which elephants should be obtained, and which, like Illepoecarwe, Polweraincattoe, and Mantotte, was ruled formerly by an Adigar or Lieutenant-Dessave, was doing fairly well; because the Company received yearly on an average no less than 25 alias, besides the t.i.thes of the harvest, until in 1690 the mode of government was changed, and the revenue of Ponneryn was granted by public decree to the young Don Gaspar by the Lord Commissioner van Mydregt, while those of the other two Provinces were granted to the old Don Gaspar, on condition that the young Don Gaspar would capture and deliver to the Company all elephants which could be obtained in the said Provinces, while the inhabitants of Ponneryn would be obliged to obey the Master of the Hunt as far as their services should be required by the Company and as they had been accustomed to render. This new arrangement did not prove a success; because, during seven years, he only delivered 44 elephants, although in the annexed Memoir it is stated that he delivered 74. Of these 44 animals, 7 were tuskers and 37 alias, viz.:--

Elephants.

For 1690 4 1691-92 6 1692-93 5 1693-94 16 1694-95 13 ==== Total 44

During the last two years he did not deliver a single animal, so that the Company lost on account of this Master of the Hunt, 131 elephants. He only appropriated the t.i.thes of the harvest, and did not care in the least about the hunt, so that the Company is even prevented from obtaining what it would have received by the old method; and, I must say, I do not understand how these privileges have been granted so long where they are so clearly against the interest of the Company, besides being the source of unlawful usurpation practised over the inhabitants, which is directly against the said deeds of gift. The elephant hunters have repeatedly applied to be relieved of their authority and to be allowed to serve again under the Company. For these reasons, as Your Honour is aware, I have considered it necessary for the service of the Company to provisionally appoint the sergeant Albert Hendriksz, who, through his long residence in these Provinces, has gained a great deal of experience, Adigar over Ponneryn; which was done at the request of the elephant hunters. He will continue the capture of elephants with the hunters without regard to the Master of the Hunt, and Your Honour must give him all the a.s.sistance required, because the hunt has been greatly neglected. Your Honour may allow both the Don Gaspars to draw the t.i.thes of the harvest until our authorities at Batavia will have disposed of this matter.

7. The trade in elephants is undoubtedly the most important, as the rest does not amount to much more than Rds. 7,000 to 9,000 a year. During the year 1695-1696 the whole of the sale amounted to Fl. 33,261.5, including a profit of Fl. 15,137.9.11. We find it stated in the annexed Memoir that the merchants spoilt their own market by bidding against each other at the public auctions, but whether this was really the case we will not discuss here. I positively disapprove of the complicated and impractical way in which this trade has been carried on for some years, and which was opposed to the interests of the Company. I therefore considered it necessary to inst.i.tute the public auctions, by which, compared with the former method, the Company has already gained a considerable amount; which is, however, no more than what it was ent.i.tled to, without it being of the least prejudice to the trade. I will not enlarge on this subject further, as all particulars relating to it and everything connected with it may be found in our considerations and speculations and in the decisions arrived at in accordance therewith, which are contained in the daily resolutions from July 24 to August 20 inclusive, a copy of which was left with Your Honours, and to which I refer you. As to the changed methods adopted this year, these are not to be altered by any one but Their Excellencies at Batavia, whose orders I will be obliged and pleased to receive. As a number of elephants was sold last year for the sum of Rds. 53,357, it was a pity that they could not all be transported at once, without a number of 126 being left behind on account of the northern winds. We have therefore started the sale a little earlier this year, and kept the vessels in readiness, so that all the animals may be easily transported during August next. On the 20th of this month all purchasers were, to their great satisfaction, ready to depart, and requested and obtained leave to do so. This year the Company sold at four different auctions the number of 86 elephants for the sum of Rds. 36,950, 16 animals being left unsold for want of cash among the purchasers, who are ready to depart with about 200 animals which they are at present engaged in putting on board. The practice of the early preparation of vessels and the holding of public auctions must be always observed, because it is a great loss to the merchants to have to stay over for a whole year, while the Company also suffers thereby, because in the meantime the animals do not change masters. It is due to this reason and to the want of ready cash that this year 16 animals were left unsold. In future it must be a regular practice in Ceylon to have all the elephants that are to be sold brought to these Provinces before July 1, so that all preparations may be made to hold the auctions about the middle of July, or, if the merchants do not arrive so soon, on August 1. Meanwhile all the required vessels must be got ready, so that no animals need be left behind on account of contrary winds. As we have now cut a road, by which the elephants may be led from Colombo, Galle, and Matura, as was done successfully one or two months ago, when in two trips from Matura, Galle, Colombo, Negombo, and Putulang were brought here with great convenience the large number of 63 elephants, the former plan of transporting the animals in native vessels from Galle and Colombo can be dropped now, a few experiments having been made and proving apparently unsuccessful. It must be seen that at least 12 or 15 elephants are trained for the hunt, as a considerable number is always required, especially if the animals from Putulang have to be fetched by land. For this reason I have ordered that two out of the 16 animals that were left from the sale and who have some slight defects, but which do not unfit them for this work, should be trained, viz., No 22, 5 3/8 cubits high, and No. 72, 5 1/2 cubits high, which may be employed to drive the other animals. Meanwhile the Dessave must see that the two animals which, as he is aware, were lent to Don Diogo, are returned to the Company. These animals were not counted among those belonging to the Company, which was very careless. As is known to Your Honours, we have abolished the practice of branding the animals twice with the mark circled V, as was done formerly, once when they were sent to these Provinces and again when they were sold, and consider it better to mark them only once with a number, beginning with No. 1, 2, 3, &c., up to No. 100. Ten iron brand numbers have been made for this purpose. If there are more than 100 animals, they must begin again with number 1, and as a mark of distinction a cross must be put after each number, which rule must be observed in future, especially as the merchants were pleased with it and as it is the best way of identifying the animals. We trust that with the opening of the King's harbours the plan of obtaining the areca-nut from the King's territory by water will be unnecessary, but the plan of obtaining these nuts by way of the Wanni will be dealt with in the Appendix.

8. The trade with the Moors from Bengal must be protected, and these people fairly and reasonably dealt with, so that we may secure the necessary supply of grain and victuals. We do not see any reason why these and other merchants should not be admitted to the sale of elephants, as was done this year, when every one was free to purchase as he pleased. The people of Dalpatterau only spent half of their cash, because they wished to wait till next year for animals which should be more to their liking. His Excellency the High Commissioner informed me that he had invited not only the people from Golconda, but also those of Tanhouwer, [70] &c., to take part in that trade, and this may be done, especially now that the prospects seem to all appearances favourable; while from the districts of Colombo, Galle, and Matura a sufficient number of elephants may be procured to make up for the deficiency in Jaffnapatam, if we only know a year before what number would be required, which must be always inquired into.