The Memoirs and Memorials of Jacques de Coutre: Security, Trade and Society in 16th- and 17th-century Southeast Asia

Appendix II: Affidavit of Jacob van Heemskerck concerning the atrocities committed by the Portuguese in the East Indies and the execution of several mates of Jacob van Neck’s crew at Macao.

283 A P P E N D I X II Affidavit of Jacob van Heemskerck concerning the atrocities committed by the Portuguese in the East Indies and the execution of several mates of Jacob van Neck’s crew at Macao. The following document is contained in the same bound bundle titled Boeck Tracterende vande Wreede, Verradische ende Hostile proceduren der Portugesen In Oost-Indien (Book Concerning the Evil, Treasonous and Hostile Proceedings of the Portuguese in the East Indies) described in detail under appendix I. In chapter XVII of his autobiography, Jacques de Coutre explained that he had met Admiral Jacob van Neck in 1602 while conducting business at Patani. The Dutch admiral was joined a little over a week later by his countryman Jacob van Heemskerck. Jacques explained how Van Neck had informed Van Heemskerck of the execution of the members of his crew at the hands of the Portuguese at Macao, and that the fiscaal, Martin Apius, had been spared and brought to Goa for  The Hague, Nationaal Archief, Collectie 102, Baron H. van Zuylen van Nyevelt, suppl. 2, no. 13 (2.21.179.01 no. 13), Boeck Tracterende vande Wreede, Verradische ende Hostile proceduren der Portugesen In Oost-Indien, pp. 120–33. A transcript of the Dutch original has also been published in Coolhaas, “Een bron van het historische gedeelte van Hugo de Groots De Jure Praedae”, BMH 79 (1965): 521–31. Translated from Dutch by Dr Corinna Vermeulen, Noctua Taal en tekst, Leiden.  An officer responsible for judicial issues and discipline. See also the glossary (fiscaal). 25 MJdC.indd 283 10/24/13 5:31:47 PM The Memoirs and Memorials of Jacques de Coutre 284 questioning. Enraged by the events at Macao—so we are informed—Van Heemskerck initially sought to execute some Portuguese prisoners. But the presence of the Johorese Raja of Siak at Patani and the inability to seize Portuguese cargo vessels in the open waters off Tioman in revenge for the Macao massacre led to a series of developments that adminated in the seizure of the carrack Santa Catarina on 25 February 1603. Van Heemskerck’s attack and plundering of the richly laden cargo vessel—mentioned by De Coutre in chapter XIX—took place off the eastern coast of Singapore. Statement by Jacob van Heemskerck regarding the hostile proceedings of the Portuguese, with a translation of some Portuguese letters. I,Jacob van Heemskerck, at the behest of the Directors of the East Indian Company at Amsterdam declare on honour and loyalty, by true Christian words—instead of a solemn oath—that on 23 April 1601, I sailed from Texel with a fleet of eight ships (of which the Directors had made me admiral) in order to pursue our planned voyage to the East Indies. Having sailed for some days and keeping our course straight over the sea, we had passed by the Canary Islands when we were met by a fleet of 13 ships— Spanish, well-equipped and full of men. They attacked us and vehemently hit one of my ships, named the Rode Leeuw, with heavy cannon. Then they boarded it and shot dead several people (the skipper and others),  These were letters exchanged between Van Heemskerck and the Portuguese authorities on land in Melaka, specifically with the Portuguese governor Fernão de Albuquerque, the Melaka city council (câmera), as well as the captain of the ill-fated carrack Santa Catarina, one Sebastião Serrão. See also GPFT, appendices 7–10, pp. 194–207.  Ms. erroneously 1600.  DAS, II, 0056.1–0063.1, pp. 12–3. The fleet set sail from Texel and Wielingen between 22 and 23 April 1601, and arrived in Banten on 22 February 1602, with the exception of the Zwarte Leeuw (Black Lion), which arrived later on 4 April that year. The fleet had been financed and equipped by the Eerste Verenigde Compagnie op Oost-Indië (First United Company for the East Indies). Admiral Van Heemskerck sailed aboard the 500-ton Amsterdam.  The voyage had been organised by the United Amsterdam Company.  Archipelago off the western coast of Africa which was then, and still remains, a Spanish possession. See also the list of place names (Canary Islands).  Ms. Roode Leeu; “Red Lion”. DAS, II, 0061.1, pp. 12–3. The Roode Leeuw has been described as a yacht that was placed under the command of Pieter Klaasz. See also the glossary entry for that type of vessel (yacht). 25 MJdC.indd 284 10/24/13...