| Company Journal | On on 13 February 1699 Commissioner Daneil Heijns was mentioned in the Willem Adriaan: Arrival of the return fleet under the Hon. Councillor Extraordinary Daniel Heyns, who is landed in State by order of the Governor, being attended by Secunde Elzevier and Fiscal Blesius. On shore he and family are welcomed with thirteen guns and the dipping of flags. Soldiers and burghers under arms. The Commissioner takes his quarters in the new Governor's house. Three volleys were fired and also the guns of the fort discharged; and once more he was welcomed with a glass of wine. The Commissioner Heyns is publicly introduced to the people in his capacity as general inspector, &c.2
On on 21 February 1699 Commissioner Daneil Heijns was mentioned in the Willem Adriaan: February 21. The Commissioner lays his papers before the Political Council; and, amongst others, mentions that it was the wish of the Indian Government that he should inspect False Bay, which Commander Claas Bichon had neglected to do last year, to see whether it is not safer than Table Bay. It was decided on this point that the Commissioner, the Governor and two members of the Council, with two of the chief and most experienced skippers of the present fleet, should on Monday next proceed thither over land, and that one of our vessels should to-day leave for that bay, to be used there. All this will be more fully seen in the Resolution, viz.: “The Commissioner states that the Indian Government had received various reports of different persons, and even of those on the return fleet under Commander Pronck which had called here, concerning the fitness of False Bay, in which the ships could lie securely the whole year, and not only during March, April, September and October. Table Bay was very dangerous for ships, and the Company could not anchor anywhere during that season without great danger or loss. In order to know the real merits of the said bay, the Indian Board had deemed it very necessary to have an exact inquiry made into its character, and entrusted the matter to Claas Bichon, by instructions given to him on the 30th November, 1697, and to two of the most experienced skippers, to be appointed by him. He was to examine the bay carefully, sound it, and make an exact chart of it. He was, further, not only to make a copy of the same and draw up a concise report for the Board mentioned, but also one for the Directors. But he having failed to do so, and in order to remove all doubts on the subject, the Indian Council had once more resolved to have the investigation made, and had entrusted it to him (Heyns). But though not required to go personally, he believed that the best interests of the Company would be served by his proceeding thither in company of the Governor, two members of the Council, and also two of the most experienced skippers, leaving on Monday next overland, that everything might be thoroughly examined and a full report made by him to the Directors. It was also decided to despatch one of the vessels thither to-day. It was further resolved that every skipper of the return fleet should be provided with an order, empowering him to take over into his vessel what he requires out of the "Tamboer frigate".2 |
