Letters and Documents Received at the Cape 1695-17081

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Last Edited05/05/2014
LtrsRecd1695_1708* On 9 October 1697 in Letters and Documents Received at the Cape 1695-1708 From Batavia.. Radja Tambora
The reasons which induced us to hold the Radja of Tambora captive here some time, and as such send him to you with "'s Lands Welvaren," you will find in our Resolution of 13th August last. (See below, No. 20.)

No. 20, p. 437.
Extract from the general Resolutions of the Castle, Batavia, dated Tuesday, 13th August, 1697.
"Radja of Tambora. The Governor-General produced the report of Major Adolf Winckler, the chief merchant M. Sohenkenberg, and the captain of the Malays, Wan Abdul Bagus, on their further examination of the prisoner, the Radja of Tambora, regarding his attack on the Company's “paggen” in Bima, and his insolent refusal to receive our letters. He further wished to know what was to be done under the circumstances. After consideration, it was decided to send the Radja to the Cape by the first opportunity, in order to serve as a convict in chains there at the public works, exactly like the other convicts. It was considered that he had deserved death, not only in consequence of his rebellion against the Company, which he had accepted as his protector, but also in consequence of his vile and evil conduct, by which he had the Queen of Dompo murdered. This conspiracy, he says, he had formed against the king, but that his orders had been wrongly carried out. Also in consequence of the shedding of the blood of so many people who have perished in the war so cruelly and unjustly commenced by him, which caused the ruin and destruction not only of his own, but also of the kingdoms of Dompo and Bima; and further, of the many injustices and disasters which befel the late Radja of Bima, who died here, and had in consequence of that murder, been unjustly banished from his kingdom, and suffered innocently. The above sentence, however, shows him still some mercy."
Signed (as a correct copy) by C. v. SWOLL, &o.2 
LtrsRecd1695_1708On 30 October 1699 in Letters and Documents Received at the Cape 1695-1708: the Ulama and his family, i.e.: Muhammad Yusuf al-Maqassari, Cara Conte van Macassar, Cara Pane van Macassar, Naima van Macassar, Moehama Radja van Macassar, Radeengh Boerne van Macassar, Moehama Hay van Macassar, Moehama Djalani van Macassar, Roemalang van Macassar, Jahamath van Macassar, Sitina Sara Marouff, Monuma van Macassar, Siety Caeaty van Macassar, Issa van Macassar, Sanda van Macassar, Sito Romia van Macassar and Siety Labieba van Macassar were mentioned in this: Extract from the Resolutions of the Castle at Batavia, dated 30th October, 1699: "Having considered the written request of Dayeeng Nisayo, the officers, and others among the chief Maccassar residents, that there may be ordered back from the Cape of Good Hope, the wives, children, friends, and slaves of the well known Maccassar Priest Sheik Joseph, who, as advised by the Governor and Council of the Cape, in their despatch dated 1st July, 1699, had died there on the 23rd May preceding, viz.:
2 wives named Cara Contoe and Cara Pane.
2 concubines named Monuma and Naima.
12 sons and daughters named Moehama Radja, Radeengh Boerne, Moehama Hay, Moehama Djalani, Roemalang, Jahamath, Care Sangie, Siety Caeaty, Issa, Sanda, Sito Romia, and Siety Labieba.
14 male and female friends of the late Sheik, viz. :
Pia, Boeleengh, Care Manangh, Abida, Amida, Biby, Isar Sarie, DayeeDgh Maniko, Casim, Kentol Taib, Ragoena, Aboebahar, Abdul Rahoef, Abdul Jaffan; likewise some slaves whose number and names have not been given; it was decided for the present to recall hither the wives and daughters of the said Sheik Joseph, and as yet to leave there the sons and the so-called male and female friends of the late priest. Should, however, any of the wives and daughters have sons not older than five or six years, such, and others that may be younger, but no sons older than that, are allowed to return hither. It was further decided to keep the slaves there and have them valued for the Company, that the proceeds might be applied to the reduction of what had been expended for the maintenance of the said priest and his retinue ; and further to diminish the establishment in proportion
to the number left ; and what they might comfortably be maintained with.
Compared with the original, and found to agree with it on the 20th November, 1699. J. ULDRIX, 1st Clerk."3
 
LtrsRecd1695_1708On 28 January 1701 in Letters and Documents Received at the Cape 1695-1708: From Batavia. The request of the Radja of Tambora we have not yet been able to allow, likewise that of the 11 other exiles."4
 
LtrsRecd1695_1708 On 4 May 1702 in Letters and Documents Received at the Cape 1695-1708: From Batavia: We have refused the petition of the widow of the late Macassar priest, Sheik Joseph, named Carra Conte, to be allowed to return to Batavia with her family, minor children, and further relations, both men and women, and for the reasons adduced; also that of the Sultan Nissa Nudum Abdul Rassa and Cara Conte van Macassar formerly King of Tambora, who had also begged that he and his servant Binchou might be allowed to return. Carra Conte herself though, or some of her family, if she or they wish to return under the conditions mentioned in our despatch of 23rd November, 1699, and do not go beyond them, may come over, subject to what we wrote on the 28th January, 1701.5 
LtrsRecd1695_1708On 1 December 1703 in Letters and Documents Received at the Cape 1695-1708: From Batavia: We adhere to our Resolution regarding the petition of the Radja of Tambora and Cara Conte van Macassar and the widow of Sheik Joseph, as embodied in our despatch of 20th November, 1699. It is convenient that the said widow did not again trouble you since our last letter, and here the matter must rest.6
 
LtrsRecd1695_1708On 22 October 1707 in Letters and Documents Received at the Cape 1695-1708: From Maccassar [via Batavia]: Extract from the letter from Macassar about the Radja of Tambora “The Governor could not decide to send the letters to the chiefs of Tambora, and the Council on the 15th January decided to have them opened and translated. The first letter contained the request of the exile to us, that we might intercede for him with the Batavia Government, that he may be set at liberty, and sent back to his country. In that to his friends, he complains bitterly of the injustice done to him, and that the present King of Tambora Daiu Manangon, whom he looks upon merely as a “Bound Soro,” or beach governor, a position with which he ought to have been satisfied, had been unjustly placed in his stead. Many more expressions of the like were in the letter, not one of the best odour, and which would not be very edifying to the kings and other chiefs of “Cumbawa.” We therefore, on the 25th February, decided not to forward the last mentioned letter, but to file it among our secret papers, and send the translation to you (Batavia Council). You will gather from it that the Radja enjoys rather too much freedom at the Cape, and is able to have free access to all the ships. In our opinion this ought to be quite different, as we do not believe that you will ever resolve to let this rebel and murderous prince ever return to his own country."7
 
LtrsRecd1695_1708On 30 November 1707 in Letters and Documents Received at the Cape 1695-1708: From Batavia: Enclosed you will find an Extract from a letter of the Governor and Council at Macassar of the 22nd October last, to this Government, from which you will gather that in two ways there fell into their hands two distinct Malay letters written by the Radja of Tambora exiled at the Cape; the one to his Honour, and the other to certain influential people of the territory, from which can be gathered the dissatisfied mind of that exile, whom you have allowed too much liberty of communication with those of the passing vessels; and as with those of Macassar we have good reasons to judge that these things should not be allowed, you are herewith ordered to confine the liberty of that individual, and to take care that all communication is cut off between him and the passing ships, especially those on board foreign ships....8
 

Citations

  1. [S721] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Received 1695-1708, H.C.V. Leibrandt; CD-ROM (Cape Town, South Africa: W.A. Richards & Sons, Government Printers, 1896). Hereinafter cited as Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope.
  2. [S721] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Received Page 130
    No. 15, p. 413; No. 20, p. 437.
  3. [S721] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, p.215 No. 89, p. 449.]
  4. [S721] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Received, Page 268, 269
    No. 1, p. 1, From Batavia. 28th January 1701.
  5. [S721] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Received: Page 961
    Number 191, page 1047.
  6. [S721] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Received Page 323
    Number 249, page 231.
  7. [S721] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Received: Page 460
    From Maccassar No 41 p. 907.
  8. [S721] Precis of the archives of the Cape of Good Hope, Letters Received:Page 458
    Number 34, page 857.
 

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