254 An Historical Account of the Formation, Sfc. 



The first memorial expresses itself on this subject as follows : 



" That the natives are capable of learning the Dutch lan- 

 " guage is sufficiently evident; for, when the first Mate, Jacob 

 " Claatz Haek, had been on shore for six or eight weeks, 

 " attending the sick, they were accustomed daily to fetch 

 " wood for culinary purposes, and could distinctly say, Eerst 

 " hout halen dan ealen (first fetch wood and then eat). They 

 " could repeat the names of most of the persons belonging to 

 " the Haerlem, and could also speak a few' words, so that 

 " there is no doubt they would learn to speak our language. 



" By living upon good terms with them, it is probable their 

 " children may become useful servants ; and if educated in the 

 " Christian Faith, should the Almighty grant His blessings, 

 " as at Tayouan and Formosa, many souls may be brought to 

 " a knowledge of religion and saved to God. Therefore, the 

 " formation of the said fort and garden will not only tend to 

 " the advantage of the East India Company, but, what is of 

 " more consequence, may also be the means of preserving 

 " many souls to the praise of God's most Holy Name, and to 

 " the propagation of His Holy Gospel ; for which your under- 

 " takings throughout India will, without doubt, be more and 

 " more blessed." 



And Van Riebeck preferring the same request in 1651, 

 expresses himself in the following words : 



" With regard to the assertion of Leendert Jansz, that the 

 " natives are capable of learning the Dutch language, it merits 

 " consideration as being in itself an advantage. And the 

 " more so, as it affords hope for the propagation of our 

 " religion. In such case, if you could reconcile yourselves to 

 " the expense, a good minister would be of the greatest 

 " service, were it only for the further edification of your 

 *' servants who might be established there, &c." 



In consequence of these representations, the Company 

 finally resolved upon the Settlement. The instructions for the 

 officers who were to proceed hither, having been already 

 drawn up on the 25th March, 1651, by the Board of XVII, at 

 Amsterdam, a copy thereof, duly certified on the 12th Decem- 

 ber following, by D. Pruys, Advocate of the said Company, 

 was accordingly delivered to them. 



By these instructions it was directed, that the works should 

 be commenced and carried on without opposition or hinderance 

 to any of those nations in alliance or neutrality with their 

 High Mightinesses the States General, whose ships might 

 touch here for refreshments, with the exception, however, of 

 the Portuguese, who were then considered as enemies. 



Jan van Riebeck, who was appointed Commander, and those 

 who were to assist, or in case of need to succeed him in the 

 service, were directed to survey the lands offering the 



