Cape Council of Policy
823
1687-04-14
Minute details
- Entry number
- 823
- Date
- 1687-04-14
- Year
- 1687
English translation
In the presence of all the members except Mr. van Keulen, Assumtis the Reverend Daniel Braams, Admiral and Srs. Rodestein, and Kemels.
The Reverend Commendatore, having convened the Police Council, assisted by the Reverend Daniel Braams, Admiral of the present return fleet, accompanied by Standard-bearer Jacob Matzen Rootsteen and Mr. Melchior Kemels, both members of the Judicial Council, announced there how he had been extremely satisfied that the arrested Lieutenant Oelof Berg was heard before the commissioners on the 10th of this month and was asked, in the 31st article of his question, whether the chests from which he had obtained the civilian goods had been whole or broken? had the audacity and impudence to give this extravagant answer: That on board the Portuguese ship No. Sra. de los Milagros he had indeed had several chests broken to pieces, standing underwater and in the hold of said bottom, and that also therein had been found a good quantity of expensive lacquered chests, which he interrogated, sustained, to be smashed to pieces by the Portuguese and their slaves who had remained there, and that if he had reported this to the Honourable Commodore, he would have received an answer, he must keep silent and not make it known, much less say that the Portuguese boys had done it; which notorious falsity only served to make his E. suspect, and by such means to repull him as a judge, being so clearly refuted by the E. Lord Commendeur as the son by the interrogated own letter and written report read in Council, where he clearly says that the best chests and cupboards in the said Portuguese wreck were broken by the Portuguese slaves with breakers and crowbars, and marked the aforementioned The interrogated man's letter, during his absence, was openly read in Council three weeks before his return, and its contents were sent to Batavia on September 5, 1686. Consequently, it would not have been feasible for him to keep a matter known to everyone, concealed by him, without at once recommending his secrets to the other commissioners. And if he had been so instructed, he would not have failed to mention it in his written account.
That the interrogated man could never honestly say that on his final return from the aforementioned wreck, concerning what had happened in Hottentot Holland, as well as from the reports he had received concerning the theft of gold and silver from the aforementioned wreck, wreck at the sergt. Christopher Henning and his subordinate crew, and as communicated to him by the carpenter Wernar Sijbranz, he had made a proper report to his E.S.
That his E.S., as everyone, and principally the interrogated, knew, had never wanted to accept any oral reports from him or any other, but had requested them in writing for his E.S.'s discharge and justification, which he had said to the interrogated, beyond the points of his inquiry, that he would be Commendor, his Lord, Party, and Judge. That his E.S. took the interrogated himself and the entire Council as witnesses regarding this, because of the good intentions and affection he had shown to his E.S. at all times, during his presence. and each one, shown without dissimulation or passion, and having highly praised its merits, with the pledge to recompensate the same in all incidents to the best of their ability, as also becomes apparent in the successive advancements of the more than one congregation. interrogated, having, through the support of His E., advanced from the simple office of sergeant to the position of lieutenant, also having His E. in his favor in his letter dated April 12, 1686, to the Lords and Masters at the Illre. meeting of the 17th, by the incident of the advised arrival of the lieutenant. Dominique de Chavonnes wrote very amply.12
From which it is clearly evident the malice and ingratitude of the interrogated party, alleging his honor, to attempt, as has already been said, through confession and the gnawing certainty of his past mistakes, to render him incapable of judging his case, and primarily from that perspective alone, because the interrogated party is well aware that his honor, as a hater of all vile actions and inclined to punish and remedy them according to duty and the interests of the Comptroller, now seeks to exonerate himself to prevent his well-deserved punishment by the aforementioned dishonest calamities. Thus it was unanimously understood and approved, as the matter was considered to be too disingenuous and of very serious consequence, this, together with the appropriate documents and papers13 for verification of this, was heard, after the fatherland and the Lords Majores with the anwto send the returning fleet, to comply with the decision of the High Court of Justice in all obedience, while in the meantime the other persons involved in the same case and who are confessors and convinced of their guilt, were sentenced here by the High Court of Justice: The fiscal Mr. Johs. van Keulen, since he has been used in the Commission, will not handle this case, but he is permitted to perform his duties as before, until such time as may be arranged by our Lords and Masters; and since the lieutenant of known and perpetrated infidelity, both here and in Ceylon, and his conduct too dangerous to keep him under arrest here in the Castle or on the mainland among many of his compatriots and supporters. It has been agreed, for greater security and peace of mind, that this Commendation should be remanded in good custody at Robben Island until further notice from Her Honor, Ho. Achtb., under the supervision of the corps there, to send twelve men, and if he desires his wife and children, to have them follow him.14
Thus arrested and confined in the Castle of Good Hope. Year and day as above.
[Signed:] S. v. STEL.
[Signed:] DANIEL BRAAM.
[Signed:] ANDS. DE MAN.
[Signed:] DOMINIQUE DE CHAVONNES.
[Signed:] L. v. STEL.
[Signed:] CORNELIS PTZ LINNES.
[Signed:] J. H. BLUM.
[Signed:] J. M. ROOTSTEEN.
[Signed:] Presently, J. G. DE GREVENBROEK, Secrts.
The Reverend Commendatore, having convened the Police Council, assisted by the Reverend Daniel Braams, Admiral of the present return fleet, accompanied by Standard-bearer Jacob Matzen Rootsteen and Mr. Melchior Kemels, both members of the Judicial Council, announced there how he had been extremely satisfied that the arrested Lieutenant Oelof Berg was heard before the commissioners on the 10th of this month and was asked, in the 31st article of his question, whether the chests from which he had obtained the civilian goods had been whole or broken? had the audacity and impudence to give this extravagant answer: That on board the Portuguese ship No. Sra. de los Milagros he had indeed had several chests broken to pieces, standing underwater and in the hold of said bottom, and that also therein had been found a good quantity of expensive lacquered chests, which he interrogated, sustained, to be smashed to pieces by the Portuguese and their slaves who had remained there, and that if he had reported this to the Honourable Commodore, he would have received an answer, he must keep silent and not make it known, much less say that the Portuguese boys had done it; which notorious falsity only served to make his E. suspect, and by such means to repull him as a judge, being so clearly refuted by the E. Lord Commendeur as the son by the interrogated own letter and written report read in Council, where he clearly says that the best chests and cupboards in the said Portuguese wreck were broken by the Portuguese slaves with breakers and crowbars, and marked the aforementioned The interrogated man's letter, during his absence, was openly read in Council three weeks before his return, and its contents were sent to Batavia on September 5, 1686. Consequently, it would not have been feasible for him to keep a matter known to everyone, concealed by him, without at once recommending his secrets to the other commissioners. And if he had been so instructed, he would not have failed to mention it in his written account.
That the interrogated man could never honestly say that on his final return from the aforementioned wreck, concerning what had happened in Hottentot Holland, as well as from the reports he had received concerning the theft of gold and silver from the aforementioned wreck, wreck at the sergt. Christopher Henning and his subordinate crew, and as communicated to him by the carpenter Wernar Sijbranz, he had made a proper report to his E.S.
That his E.S., as everyone, and principally the interrogated, knew, had never wanted to accept any oral reports from him or any other, but had requested them in writing for his E.S.'s discharge and justification, which he had said to the interrogated, beyond the points of his inquiry, that he would be Commendor, his Lord, Party, and Judge. That his E.S. took the interrogated himself and the entire Council as witnesses regarding this, because of the good intentions and affection he had shown to his E.S. at all times, during his presence. and each one, shown without dissimulation or passion, and having highly praised its merits, with the pledge to recompensate the same in all incidents to the best of their ability, as also becomes apparent in the successive advancements of the more than one congregation. interrogated, having, through the support of His E., advanced from the simple office of sergeant to the position of lieutenant, also having His E. in his favor in his letter dated April 12, 1686, to the Lords and Masters at the Illre. meeting of the 17th, by the incident of the advised arrival of the lieutenant. Dominique de Chavonnes wrote very amply.12
From which it is clearly evident the malice and ingratitude of the interrogated party, alleging his honor, to attempt, as has already been said, through confession and the gnawing certainty of his past mistakes, to render him incapable of judging his case, and primarily from that perspective alone, because the interrogated party is well aware that his honor, as a hater of all vile actions and inclined to punish and remedy them according to duty and the interests of the Comptroller, now seeks to exonerate himself to prevent his well-deserved punishment by the aforementioned dishonest calamities. Thus it was unanimously understood and approved, as the matter was considered to be too disingenuous and of very serious consequence, this, together with the appropriate documents and papers13 for verification of this, was heard, after the fatherland and the Lords Majores with the anwto send the returning fleet, to comply with the decision of the High Court of Justice in all obedience, while in the meantime the other persons involved in the same case and who are confessors and convinced of their guilt, were sentenced here by the High Court of Justice: The fiscal Mr. Johs. van Keulen, since he has been used in the Commission, will not handle this case, but he is permitted to perform his duties as before, until such time as may be arranged by our Lords and Masters; and since the lieutenant of known and perpetrated infidelity, both here and in Ceylon, and his conduct too dangerous to keep him under arrest here in the Castle or on the mainland among many of his compatriots and supporters. It has been agreed, for greater security and peace of mind, that this Commendation should be remanded in good custody at Robben Island until further notice from Her Honor, Ho. Achtb., under the supervision of the corps there, to send twelve men, and if he desires his wife and children, to have them follow him.14
Thus arrested and confined in the Castle of Good Hope. Year and day as above.
[Signed:] S. v. STEL.
[Signed:] DANIEL BRAAM.
[Signed:] ANDS. DE MAN.
[Signed:] DOMINIQUE DE CHAVONNES.
[Signed:] L. v. STEL.
[Signed:] CORNELIS PTZ LINNES.
[Signed:] J. H. BLUM.
[Signed:] J. M. ROOTSTEEN.
[Signed:] Presently, J. G. DE GREVENBROEK, Secrts.
Original Dutch transcription
In tegenwoordigheid van alle de leden behalven mr. van Keulen, Assumtis d’ E.Heer Daniel Braams, Admirâl mitsgs. srs. Rodestein en Kemels.
D’ E.Heer Commendeur, hebbende den Raad van Politie doen vergaderen, geassisteerd van den E.Hr. Daniel Braams, Admiral der anwesende retourvloot, mitsgs. van den vaandrager Jacob Matzen Rootsteen en mr. Melchior Kemels, beide leden van Justitielen Rade, heeft aldaar bekend gemaakt hoe hem met d’ uijterste bevremding te voren was gekomen dat de gearresteerde lieutt. Oelof Berg op den 10 deses voor gecommitteerdens gehoord en gevraagd werdende op ‘t 31. articul syner vraagpunten10 of de kisten uijt dewelke hij de geburge goederen bekomen hadde, heel of an stukken geweest waren? de vermetenheid en onbeschaamdheid heeft gehad daar op dese extravagante antwoord te geven: Dat hij an boord van ‘t Portugiesche schip Nra. Sra. de los Milagros wel hadde doen an stukken breken diversche kisten, staande onderwater ende in ‘t ruijm van gemelte bodem, ende dat mede daarin had bevonden een goede menigte kostelijk verlakte kasjes, dewelke hij geinterrogeerde sustineerde door de Portugiesen en derselver aldaar gebleve slaven an stukken geslagen te zijn, en dat hij daarvan bij monde an den E.Hr.Commendeur rapport doende, soude hebben tot antwoord gekregen, hij sulx moste verswijgen en niet bekend maken, veel min seggen dat de Portugiesche jongens dat gedaan hadden; welke notoire falsiteit strekkende alleenlijk om sijn E. verdagt te maken, en hem door sulk middel als regter te repudieren, bij den E.Heer Commendeur so klaar als de son wederlegt zijnde door des geinterrogeerde eigen briev en schriftelijk rapport in Rade gelesen, alwaar hij dujdelijk segt de beste kisten en kasten in ‘t opgemte. Portugiesche wrak met breekijsers en koevoeten door de Portugiesche slaven gebroken te zijn, en gemerkt de voors. briev des geinterrogeerde bij desselvs afwesen, en wel drie weken voor sijn wederkomst opentlijk in Rade gelesen, en desselvs inhoud na Batavia den 5 September 1686 gesonden is, dat ‘t gevolglijk niet doenlijk soude geweest zijn, een saak bij ieder een bekend door hem verholen te willen houden, sonder eenmaal de secretesse van dien an d’ andere gecommitteerdens te recommenderen, en bij aldien hem iets diergelijx ware geinjungeerd, so soude hij niet nagelaten hebben ‘t selve in syn schriftelijk verhaal an te halen.
Dat de geinterrogeerde noijt met goeden gemoede soude konnen seggen dat op sijn laatste te ruggekomst van ‘t voors. wrak omtrent ‘t gepasseerde in Hottentots Holland , als mede van de rapporten hem geinterrogeerde nopende het roven van goud en silver uijt ‘t voors. wrak bij den sergt. Christopher Henning ende sijn onderhebbende manschap begaan, ende an hem door den timmerman Wernar Sijbranz gecommuniceerd, hij an sijn E. behoorlijk rapport gedaan heeft.11
Dat sijn E. gelijk ieder een, en principalijk hem geinterrogeerde bekend was, noijt van hem nog van andere enige mondelinge rapporten hadde willen anneemen, maar deselve tot sijn E. decharge en verantwoordinge in geschrifte begeerd hadde, ‘t welk hij geinterrogeerde buijten sijn voorgehoude vraagpoincten soude gesegt hebben, dat hij Commendeur soude zijn, Sijn Heer, Partie en Regter: dat sijn E. diesangaande den geinterrogeerden selvs en den gantschen Raad tot getuijgen nam, wegens de goede intentie en genegentheid dewelke hij t’ sijnen reguarde t’ allen tijde, geduurende desselvs anwesen, an hem en jeder een, sonder dissimulatie of passie betoond, en desselvs meriten ten hoogsten gelaudeerd hadde, met betuijging deselve bij alle voorvallen na vermogen te recompenseren, gelijk ‘t selve ook komt te blijken bij de successive avencementen van de meergemte. geinterrogeerde, zijnde door ‘t support van Sijn E. van de simple bediening van sergt. tot de qualiteit van lieut. gevorderd, hebbende mede sijn E. in sijn faveur bij sijne missive in dato 12 April 1686 an de Heeren en Meesters ter Illre. vergadering van 17ne bij voorval van de geadviseerde overkomst van den lieut. Dominique de Chavonnes seer ample geschreven.12
Waaruijt klaarlijk te blijken komende de malitie ende ondankbaarheid bij den geinterrogeerde ten reguarde van sijn E. geallegueerd om door die middelen, gelijk bereids geseid is, uijt bekentenisse en knagende gewisse sijner begane fauten, te tragten denselven tot regter in sijne sake onbekwaam te maken, en voornamentlijk uijt dien insigte alleen, dewijl het geinterrogeerde wel bewust is, dat sijn E. als hater van alle vuijle actien en genegen om deselve na bevindinge van saken volgens pligt en ‘s Comps. interest te straffen en te remedieren, sig tot voorkominge van sijn welverdiende straf door de bovengenoemde onwaaragtige calangien thans soekt t’ ontlasten. So is eenparigerstemme verstaan en goedgevonden, angesien de saak al te distelijk en van seer swaren gevolge bevonden werd, deselve nevens de behoorlijke documenten en stukken13 tot verificatie van dien gehorende, na ‘t vaderland en an de Heeren Majores met d’ anwesende retourvloot te senden, om ons na haar Ed.Ho. Achtb. besluijt in alle gehoorsamheid te schikken, sullende immiddels de verdere personen in ‘t selve feit bewoeld en die schuldbelyders en overtuijgd zijn, hier bij den Achtb. Raad van Justitie gevonnist werden: De fiscal mr. Johs. van Keulen, dewijl in de Commissie gebruijkt is, sal hij deselve saak niet bedienen, dog werd hem vergund sijn ampt als voorheen waar te nemen, ten tijde toe dat daar omtrent bij onse Heeren en Meesters sal gedisponeerd zijn; en dewijl de lieut. van bekende en so hier als op Ceijlon gepleegde trouloosheid is, en desselvs handel en wandel al te gevaarlijk om hier ten Casteele of op ‘t vasteland onder veele sijner landsluijden en medestanders in arrest te houden, So is verstaan hem tot meerder versekering en gerustheid deses Commendements na ‘t Robbeneiland in goede bewaring tot nader ordre van haar EdIe. Ho. Achtb. onder d’ opsigt van den corpl. aldaar, geadsisteerd van twaalf man te senden, en ingeval hij sijn vrouw en kinderen bij sig begeerd, deselve hem te laten volgen.14
Aldus geärresteerd en besloten in ‘t Casteel de Goede Hoop. Jaar en dag als boven.
[Signed:] S. v. STEL.
[Signed:] DANIEL BRAAM.
[Signed:] ANDS. DE MAN.
[Signed:] DOMINIQUE DE CHAVONNES.
[Signed:] L. v. STEL.
[Signed:] CORNELIS PTZ LINNES.
[Signed:] J. H. BLUM.
[Signed:] J. M. ROOTSTEEN.
[Signed:] Me praesente J. G. DE GREVENBROEK, Secrts.
D’ E.Heer Commendeur, hebbende den Raad van Politie doen vergaderen, geassisteerd van den E.Hr. Daniel Braams, Admiral der anwesende retourvloot, mitsgs. van den vaandrager Jacob Matzen Rootsteen en mr. Melchior Kemels, beide leden van Justitielen Rade, heeft aldaar bekend gemaakt hoe hem met d’ uijterste bevremding te voren was gekomen dat de gearresteerde lieutt. Oelof Berg op den 10 deses voor gecommitteerdens gehoord en gevraagd werdende op ‘t 31. articul syner vraagpunten10 of de kisten uijt dewelke hij de geburge goederen bekomen hadde, heel of an stukken geweest waren? de vermetenheid en onbeschaamdheid heeft gehad daar op dese extravagante antwoord te geven: Dat hij an boord van ‘t Portugiesche schip Nra. Sra. de los Milagros wel hadde doen an stukken breken diversche kisten, staande onderwater ende in ‘t ruijm van gemelte bodem, ende dat mede daarin had bevonden een goede menigte kostelijk verlakte kasjes, dewelke hij geinterrogeerde sustineerde door de Portugiesen en derselver aldaar gebleve slaven an stukken geslagen te zijn, en dat hij daarvan bij monde an den E.Hr.Commendeur rapport doende, soude hebben tot antwoord gekregen, hij sulx moste verswijgen en niet bekend maken, veel min seggen dat de Portugiesche jongens dat gedaan hadden; welke notoire falsiteit strekkende alleenlijk om sijn E. verdagt te maken, en hem door sulk middel als regter te repudieren, bij den E.Heer Commendeur so klaar als de son wederlegt zijnde door des geinterrogeerde eigen briev en schriftelijk rapport in Rade gelesen, alwaar hij dujdelijk segt de beste kisten en kasten in ‘t opgemte. Portugiesche wrak met breekijsers en koevoeten door de Portugiesche slaven gebroken te zijn, en gemerkt de voors. briev des geinterrogeerde bij desselvs afwesen, en wel drie weken voor sijn wederkomst opentlijk in Rade gelesen, en desselvs inhoud na Batavia den 5 September 1686 gesonden is, dat ‘t gevolglijk niet doenlijk soude geweest zijn, een saak bij ieder een bekend door hem verholen te willen houden, sonder eenmaal de secretesse van dien an d’ andere gecommitteerdens te recommenderen, en bij aldien hem iets diergelijx ware geinjungeerd, so soude hij niet nagelaten hebben ‘t selve in syn schriftelijk verhaal an te halen.
Dat de geinterrogeerde noijt met goeden gemoede soude konnen seggen dat op sijn laatste te ruggekomst van ‘t voors. wrak omtrent ‘t gepasseerde in Hottentots Holland , als mede van de rapporten hem geinterrogeerde nopende het roven van goud en silver uijt ‘t voors. wrak bij den sergt. Christopher Henning ende sijn onderhebbende manschap begaan, ende an hem door den timmerman Wernar Sijbranz gecommuniceerd, hij an sijn E. behoorlijk rapport gedaan heeft.11
Dat sijn E. gelijk ieder een, en principalijk hem geinterrogeerde bekend was, noijt van hem nog van andere enige mondelinge rapporten hadde willen anneemen, maar deselve tot sijn E. decharge en verantwoordinge in geschrifte begeerd hadde, ‘t welk hij geinterrogeerde buijten sijn voorgehoude vraagpoincten soude gesegt hebben, dat hij Commendeur soude zijn, Sijn Heer, Partie en Regter: dat sijn E. diesangaande den geinterrogeerden selvs en den gantschen Raad tot getuijgen nam, wegens de goede intentie en genegentheid dewelke hij t’ sijnen reguarde t’ allen tijde, geduurende desselvs anwesen, an hem en jeder een, sonder dissimulatie of passie betoond, en desselvs meriten ten hoogsten gelaudeerd hadde, met betuijging deselve bij alle voorvallen na vermogen te recompenseren, gelijk ‘t selve ook komt te blijken bij de successive avencementen van de meergemte. geinterrogeerde, zijnde door ‘t support van Sijn E. van de simple bediening van sergt. tot de qualiteit van lieut. gevorderd, hebbende mede sijn E. in sijn faveur bij sijne missive in dato 12 April 1686 an de Heeren en Meesters ter Illre. vergadering van 17ne bij voorval van de geadviseerde overkomst van den lieut. Dominique de Chavonnes seer ample geschreven.12
Waaruijt klaarlijk te blijken komende de malitie ende ondankbaarheid bij den geinterrogeerde ten reguarde van sijn E. geallegueerd om door die middelen, gelijk bereids geseid is, uijt bekentenisse en knagende gewisse sijner begane fauten, te tragten denselven tot regter in sijne sake onbekwaam te maken, en voornamentlijk uijt dien insigte alleen, dewijl het geinterrogeerde wel bewust is, dat sijn E. als hater van alle vuijle actien en genegen om deselve na bevindinge van saken volgens pligt en ‘s Comps. interest te straffen en te remedieren, sig tot voorkominge van sijn welverdiende straf door de bovengenoemde onwaaragtige calangien thans soekt t’ ontlasten. So is eenparigerstemme verstaan en goedgevonden, angesien de saak al te distelijk en van seer swaren gevolge bevonden werd, deselve nevens de behoorlijke documenten en stukken13 tot verificatie van dien gehorende, na ‘t vaderland en an de Heeren Majores met d’ anwesende retourvloot te senden, om ons na haar Ed.Ho. Achtb. besluijt in alle gehoorsamheid te schikken, sullende immiddels de verdere personen in ‘t selve feit bewoeld en die schuldbelyders en overtuijgd zijn, hier bij den Achtb. Raad van Justitie gevonnist werden: De fiscal mr. Johs. van Keulen, dewijl in de Commissie gebruijkt is, sal hij deselve saak niet bedienen, dog werd hem vergund sijn ampt als voorheen waar te nemen, ten tijde toe dat daar omtrent bij onse Heeren en Meesters sal gedisponeerd zijn; en dewijl de lieut. van bekende en so hier als op Ceijlon gepleegde trouloosheid is, en desselvs handel en wandel al te gevaarlijk om hier ten Casteele of op ‘t vasteland onder veele sijner landsluijden en medestanders in arrest te houden, So is verstaan hem tot meerder versekering en gerustheid deses Commendements na ‘t Robbeneiland in goede bewaring tot nader ordre van haar EdIe. Ho. Achtb. onder d’ opsigt van den corpl. aldaar, geadsisteerd van twaalf man te senden, en ingeval hij sijn vrouw en kinderen bij sig begeerd, deselve hem te laten volgen.14
Aldus geärresteerd en besloten in ‘t Casteel de Goede Hoop. Jaar en dag als boven.
[Signed:] S. v. STEL.
[Signed:] DANIEL BRAAM.
[Signed:] ANDS. DE MAN.
[Signed:] DOMINIQUE DE CHAVONNES.
[Signed:] L. v. STEL.
[Signed:] CORNELIS PTZ LINNES.
[Signed:] J. H. BLUM.
[Signed:] J. M. ROOTSTEEN.
[Signed:] Me praesente J. G. DE GREVENBROEK, Secrts.