Letter from the Chaophraya Phrakhlang on behalf of King Thai Sa (r. 1709-1733) to the Supreme Government in Batavia, before March 1719, and the answer from Batavia, 18 August 1719

DAILY JOURNALS OF BATAVIA, 31 MARCH 1719

This letter from ʼs Sjopia Seri Dermaraat Ditsjat Tsjaat Amaat Tiaansjat Pipit Ratna Raat Kosa Tabdie Apia Piri Brakarma Pahok Tsjopia Berkelang is for Christoffel van Zwoll, Governor-General of the Company over and through the whole of Asia. The Governor-General Christoffel van Zwoll is pure and sincere in the way of benevolence toward His Distinguished Majesty Prbat Somdet Boromopobip Tsjouw Djehoea, my gracious Sovereign.

Seeing that the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies have once more sent a letter and gifts here with the Dutch skipper in the 9th month of the Year of the Dog, with the request that I should offer them to His Majesty, the letter and the gifts have been duly received according to the old custom. His Majesty was greatly pleased and praised the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies, for the way in which the mutual bond and the pure and sincere friendship between the Prince of Orange and the Company has been maintained in full. His Majesty has commanded me to respond to the letter.

In the letter which I sent, concerning the gold silk cloths and fabrics sent here before, after comparing them to the samples, I have judged them to be too coarse and bad, and too high in price. Hence the administrators of the Khlang [1] refused to accept them. But in view of our mutual bond I have ordered the Khlang to accept the gold cloths. In the opinion of the Surat weavers they are not able to produce these cloths in accordance with the specifications on their looms. The looms need to be adjusted anew, and then the prices come to be higher than before. I have taken the liberty to despatch [to Batavia] such samples of gold cloths as the King’s servants have had made, with the request for such cloths to be made by the workers [in Surat] and then sent hither, and that for a reasonable price and not too dear. The Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies have had gold cloths made and sent these here in the Year of the Horse and the Year of the Goat, in a quantity of 133 rolls at various prices for [a total of] 344 catty, 15 tael, 2 pahas and 1 maas. Seeing that these prices were too high, the Khlang did not want to accept them. The gold cloths sent were too thick and too heavy with gold, the colours too bad and not clear enough. These cloths were too dear, in fact dearer than the ones contracted out and purchased by the King’s servants.

At this the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies wrote that the usual looms of the weavers are not set up to produce [cloth] in accordance with the samples, asking whether a royal servant could be sent to investigate that in person. I was planning to send the gold cloths supplied back to Batavia, as the Khlang would not accept them. The Company would just suffer a loss if the cloths just lay there. But in view of the mutual bond I have ordered the Khlang to take them for the price charged. It is true that the required cloths cannot be made on the looms [in Surat], as the combs of the looms are too wide, and then the cloth will be coarser than the cloths that were made in former times.

At present several merchants in Siam from Coromandel have offered a number of fabrics and silk cloths, coloured gold, for sale. The Khlang administrators have made a selection and have bought those that are good and of sound quality, regarding both ground and clarity of lustre, and that for a reasonable price. Of these kinds many are to our liking and pleasing to us. Of these kinds we have been able to buy from the seamen ones that will be useful for us. Kindly let the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies take care that the cloths should be made according to the samples provided as happened before. And if the workers should claim that they are not able to make them on their usual looms, and are also not able to prepare such gold cloths, that in that case they have to change their looms so that they can weave such gold cloths according to the samples.

Herewith I am despatching to the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies the sample pieces of some of the gold cloths that we have been able to buy from the Coromandel merchants and which are good. In this way Your Honours can see for yourselves what kind of cloths they are. The colours are good and durable. Ten samples of these are being sent, with the request that the Governor-General should see to it that these kinds of cloths may be made by the workers and then sent hither.

Of the cloths with silver and white stripes such as the sompaks measuring 16 cobaers in length and 2 in breadth, we request three pieces, for a price of 17 tael each.

According to the enclosed described example of the cloths with gold and white stripes, and which are interwoven with silk and gold on both sides just like the sompaks. The sample pieces of the cloths with stripes that are being sent are each 1 kati and 2 tael, 16 cobaers long and 2 wide. In agreement with the accompanying cobitsize these must be made according to the model described not with large but with small red stripes, and further completely according to the sample piece, and all with good, sound, fast backgrounds and colours; three rolls are being asked.

Of the cloth sample with a ground of sandal-colour, with scattered silver flowers that are worked around with red silk, according to the sample 15 cobidaars long and 2 wide, for a price of 15 tael per roll, similarly three rolls.

Of the cloth sample with blue, gold and red casoemba [and with] pearl-coloured, yellow and light green stripes according to the sample, 15 cobaers long and 2 wide, for a price of 15 tael per roll; also three rolls of these.

The same of the cloth sample with light green, gold and pearl-coloured silk stripes and on both sides with black silk ditto, according to the sample, length and breadth as above, for a price of 8 tael; similarly three rolls.

Of the cloth sample with large gold and with white stripes, which [has] on both sides red silk stripes and pearl-coloured stripes; the same that are have gold stripes and are trimmed with continuous gold thread; according to the sample these are 15 long and 2 wide, for a price of 12 tael per roll; three rolls of the sample cloth with red silk stripes, according to the accompanying sample 15 cobaers long and 2 wide, per roll at 15 tael, as above three rolls.

Of the sample of the cloths with white stripes, the same silver stripes and stripes of coloured silk and trimmed with large silver and small silk stripes, and also small silver stripes in conformity with the sample, 15 cobaers long and 2 wide, at a price of 15 tael for each roll: of these three rolls. And of the sample according to the accompanying sample, length and width as above, per roll at 16 tael – of these also three rolls requested. Of all these kinds of cloth the described examples and the pieces are being sent, in all ten items. And seeing that for the most part these samples are already half worn out and bereft of their lustre, and hence can scarcely serve as samples, we request that the backgrounds of the cloths should be properly done and of a good colour, as well as the gold and silver, and likewise the silk [should be] of good lustre, clear and colour-fast, and thus for every roll. Also that the gold, silver and silk stripes should fall lengthwise, over the whole length of each roll, as can be seen with the samples sent before this date. Also the cloths must not be folded but rolled up, and be sent here that way, seeing that folding the gold and silver stripes will only spoil them. The abovementioned cloths then being of good grounds and fixed lustre, and the prices somewhat more reasonable, may then be paid for and sent here. We shall settle the price of each item through the Khlang administrators and the resident head in the Company lodge in the usual way.

The sompacks and packieuws [2] with painted heads and grounds in various colours [are intended] as gifts to give to the subjects in the service of the King. I have previously requested the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies to make a delivery of these in the Year of the Rabbit, of 300 pieces, both marados [3] and piece-cloths. These were too short and too narrow, and also too coarse, and not in accordance with the samples submitted, all together likewise with a background [not according to the examples sent], and moreover for too high a price. Hence the Khlang administrators will not accept these and have returned everything to the senior head in the lodge.

Regarding the painted sompacks and packieuws intended as gifts for His Majesty’s servants, we have already written how they have to be. Seeing that the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies declare that they wish to provide every help and service to the Court of Siam for the sake of upholding the friendship, in that case we request the delivery of sompacks with painted heads, 12 chieus long and 6 spans wide. And with backgrounds with double checks and blocks, the same with dammetjes, of different colours and design likewise in the manner of the chelassen [4] of various sorts, as well as packieuws with painted heads, 6 chieus long and 6 spans wide, of various sorts and in the way as above, all with good backgrounds, and fast and lively colours, for a reasonable price and not too dear, as the [garments] sent earlier were.

Seeing that the goewatrangpar garments sent earlier were only 6 chieus long and 6 spans wide, we request that from now on these may be made with a length of 12 chieus and a width of 6 spans without borders. And that of this sort a good quantity may be sent, so that they can serve as gifts for the ships and regents that will be sent out.

Goewatrangpaar garments are also needed, that have to be 8 chieus long and 6 spans wide, to be made in the manner as mentioned above. Let the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies make a delivery of these, and do this every year in a quantity of 3,000.

The fine worsteds and the usual sort have been received. Seeing that even more are needed, we request to be supplied in the coming year with the following sorts:

200 red items
20 green usual worsteds
20 sky-blue usual worsteds,

as seeing that the worsteds sent to Siam before to be given to the servants were not suitable, we request that further shipments of these may be omitted.

Similarly the shipment of small short rifles may be omitted, as being of no use. And because the long flintlocks sent were found to be good for shooting a large ball, we ask that care may be taken [to send] such ones that shoot a smaller ball, weighing one paha, further of one paha and one powang [5], and of the weight of five mas.

In my previous letter I asked for the supply of 10 flintlocks and two pistols, and three pieces of carmine-red velvet, as well as the making of 50 small cannon to be used on elephants, to the liking of the court. Now we are asking for ten fine Dutch flintlocks, designed in the French manner, that are good and strong, and selected for [shooting] balls of one paha. The same of one paha and one powang, as well as of five maas. But of pistols there was [with supply] no trace – this will have been an error.

We request that may be sent hither four fine flintlocks that are well-made and strong, such as the kings in Europe use, sorted for balls of one paha and one powang, and of five mas. And that the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies should kindly see to it that these are made by the smith in such a way that they will be to our liking. Also that the missing small cannon to be used on the elephants should be made as soon as possible, solid and strong, and according to the model for them sent earlier.

The Portuguese hats that were requested, of which 250 have already been sent here, and the remaining 250 are still awaited, I wanted to send back again because the brims were too soft. But the senior head promised he would make them stiff, and has done that. Therefore I request that the 250 hats still missing will not be as soft as the ones already despatched, and that the hat-makers should get proper instruction.

We do not doubt about what is said in the letter sent about the orders places for the perfumed sandalwood from Timor, and the mahora in the manner of a cockspur from Bengal or from Arakan.

Seeing that we would be obliged with some cinnamon, mace and cloves with which to make medicines, we therefore request the Governor-General and the members of the Council of the Indies to be kind enough to send five pikols of each here annually.

Regarding the sending of cash and the Company’s declaration [that it] can send no more than what is needed for [its own] use in trade, we request the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies to send a large quantity of cash in order to be turned into coin by the Khlang according to custom. Care will be taken that nothing is left over from what is sent than for trade and for gifts to the senior head, and that everything will be used up.

The Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies wrote that because of the storm that occurred in Ligor in the year 171? (of the Siamese calendar) the Dutch had only been able to obtain a small amount of tin. That that should be against the contracts dismays me. The senior head says that he cannot believe that in the Year of the Goat there was such a severe storm, because of which the trees, hills and tin-mines were destroyed in the places where tin is mined. On the contrary, they have scarcely been able to fetch their quota for the King, and have done their very best [to collect] some more (but not as much as before). This is the reason the Dutch have got so little tin, as is sufficiently well known to the resident of Ligor.

The Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies inform you that they had extended a loan of 2,000 rix-dollars to the horse-traders sent over in order to be used for purchasing horses in Java. Moreover [they write] that there are indeed many horses, but as these are only bred for payment the servants of the King did not wish to buy them. They only buy the ordinary horses for which they pay only 7, 8, 9 or 10 rix-dollars each, which we have to believe. Further that the bond for the money loaned was sent to the senior head in the Company lodge here. The horse-traders Koentas Patsji and Trampakdi said on their return that the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies had shown them great kindness and assisted them with a loan of 2,000 rix-dollars, which was reduced by 6 mas per rix-dollar, being in silver equal to 37 kati and 10 tael.

However, once they arrived in Semarang the governor said that he had forbidden the Dutch to go with the royal servants outside the town, for reasons of war. [6] They would stay in Semarang and do the purchasing of horses there. And the governor had ordered the Javanese to bring horses to Semarang to do the buying there, and to seek out horses of the required size, of good posture and quick in lifting their legs. But such horses that would be to our liking we were not able to find. Three or four were almost of the required measure, but when the royal servants wanted to buy these, 50 to 60 rix-dollars were asked for them, and this was too expensive for their value, so that the sale did not take place.

If those horses had been good, then they would have bought them. But the royal servants just had to buy ordinary horses and bring them here. They are such that they can only be used for despatch-riders. They would have been able to get good horses if they had been allowed to go outside, as outside Semarang there are herds of many horses. Horse-traders were sent over from Siam every year, with the aim of getting horses to the liking of the court. But because we did not get a single good horse, the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies should kindly bear in mind the mutual bond, and command the governor and servants of the Company in Semarang to offer a helping hand and give permission for them to [be allowed to] go and buy horses outside [the town].

And seeing that we in the kingdom of Siam would like to possess diverse objects of silver, I have had a number of models produced in tin and have given them to the senior head, each model marked with an inscription. We request of the sample of the water-pots a quantity of 10 pieces, of the sample of the little bowls with lids similarly 13, and of the sample of the water-bowls with feet 89, hence these five [7] sets of silver objects together total 138. For these 70 to 75 kati of silver will be needed. We request to be supplied with these in the coming monsoon. The costs will be paid and settled to the senior head by the Khlang folk in the usual way.

On behalf of His High and Distinguished Majesty Somdet Boromo Bopit Prapoeti Tsjauw Djehoe, my gracious Sovereign, the following are being sent as gifts: 102 bahar, 1 pikul, 17 kati and 3 Chinese tael of tin; 4,005 pieces, 18 catty, and 12 Chinese tael of sappan-wood to the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies.

And similarly by me are being sent: 6 bahar, 66 catty, and 13 Chinese tael of tin; and 273 pikuls, 39 and 11 Chinese tael of sappan-wood, to the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies, for the maintenance of the friendship [and] in order to confirm the mutual regard of His High and Distinguished Majesty Prabat Somdet Boromo Bopit Pra Poeri Tsjauw Djehoua, my gracious Sovereign, and the friendship and alliance with the Prince of Orange, the prince and lord of the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies, more and more in the future. [...]

Letter from the Supreme Government in Batavia to King Thai Sa, 18 August 1719.

DAILY JOURNALS OF BATAVIA, 18 AUGUST 1719

To the King of Siam

With especial joy and esteem the Governor-General, Henric Zwaardecroon, and members of the Council of the Indies have received with great pomp and state the glorious and excellent letter delivered here from His High and Distinguished Majesty the King of Siam, Probat Somdet Borom Sopit Praoepoe Ditsjoe Djoehouw, who is ever victorious and is awesome for his enemies, who rules the realm with wisdom and maintains friendship, whom the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies wish a long life and happy reign, and who in particular is thanked for the positive thoughts that it has pleased His Majesty to possess regarding the government in this place [Batavia] out of feelings of friendship.

And whereas the intention of the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies is none other than to increase such friendship, in order to continue that it has been considered very necessary and inescapable to acquaint His Majesty with how the only God of heaven and earth has released and freed the Governor-General Christoffel van Swoll from this world, and how the present Governor-General, Henric Zwaardecroon, has taken his place. With equal and the same zeal and diligence as his laudable predecessors he will, alongside all members of the Council of the Indies, endeavour to preserve and enlarge the precious favours and regard of His Majesty, since through the experience of many years and as is once more apparent from the letter received from His Majesty, they are assured and convinced of the good will that the King bears toward the welfare of the Dutch Company. They hold no doubts that His Majesty will continue to show his favours, in keeping with the customs and the contracts.

The servants of the Honourable Company who are in the kingdom of Siam will conform to such customs and contracts in a proper way, and will promptly comply with and obey our successive orders regarding them to the satisfaction of His Majesty.

For the highly valued gifts that His High and Distinguished Majesty has been pleased to send, the Governor-General and members of the Council of the Indies express their gratitude herewith, and now in return and as a token of esteem with this letter they are sending such trifles as they hope will be pleasing to His Majesty, namely:

30 pieces of red
10 pieces of blue
10 pieces of green
250 high bowler hats
93 falconets [8]
14 fine engraved wooden flintlocks
40 pairs of spectacles of various sorts
x bales of cinnamon
x pikuls of cloves
3 pikuls of nutmeg
22 pieces of orakiday [9]

Written in Batavia Castle on the island of Great Java, 18 August 1719, [signed] H. Zwaardecroon.

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[1] Royal treasury or, as is more likely here, royal warehouses.

[2] Packieuws, pha kiew, cloth encircling the waist.

[3] Marados, photas, a kind of “spotted” or “speckled” Indian cotton textile.

[4] Chelassen, a.k.a. “sellas”, white or yellow cotton cloth with black stripes, produced in Coromandel for export to Southeast Asia.

[5] Fueang/füang.

[6] The Second Javanese War of Succession started in 1719 when Susuhanan Pakubuwana (r. 1704-1719) died and his son Amangkurat IV ascended the throne, against the wish of his brothers and the princesses Blitar and Purbaya. His opponents attacked the kraton in June but were repelled by the local VOC troops. The rebels withdrew to Mataram but were gradually defeated. Their main leaders were banned to Ceylon. M.C. Ricklefs, War, Culture and Economy in Java 1677-1726. Asian and European Imperialism in the early Kartasura period. Sydney: Allen & Unwin, 1993.

[7] Two sets must be missing from the text, to make up a total of five.

[8] Falconets, light cannon.

[9] Oradikay, a (medicinal?) root (see following letter no. 26).