Iansen Van Zanten Harman Crayevanger Rowland Tailler Vincent Corthals Secretarie Tsauinda Iaponeze aged 32. yeares borne at Tioucketge Souldier confesseth as the rest that they 12. with the assistance of the English intended to make themselues Maisters of the Castle Thus confessed the 24. of February 1623. And was subscribed The name of Tsauinda Harman Van Speult Laurence de Marschalck Clement Kersseboom Iohn Iohnson Vischer Iohn Van Leeuwen Iohn Iacobson Wincoop Leonard Clocq Martin Iansen Vogell Iohn Ioosten Iacob Cooper Iohn Van Nieupoort Peter Iansen van Zanten Harman Crayevanger Rowland Tailler Vincent Corthals Secretarie Zanchoo Iaponeze aged 22. yeares borne at Fisien Souldier Confesseth as the afore-going Dated as the afore-said and was vnder-signed The marke of Zanchoo Harman Van Speult Laurence de Marschalck Clement Kersseboom Iohn Iohnson Vischer Iohn Van Leeuwen Iohn Iacokson Wincoop Leonard Clocq Martin Iohnson Vogell Iohn Ioosten Iacob Cooper Iohn Van Nieupoort Peter Iansen Van Zanten Harman Crayevanger Rowland Tailler Vincent Corthals Secretarie Sacoube Iaponeze of the age of 40. yeares borne at Ferando Souldier Confesseth that he also had knowledge of the consultation of the Iaponezes but being old and sicke he did not present his service Dated the 25. of February 1623. The marke of Sacoube Harman van Speult Laurence de Marschalck Clement Kersseboom Iohn Iohnson vischer Iohn Van Leeuwen Iohn Iacobson Wincoop Leonard Clocq Martin Iohnson Vogell Iohn Ioosten Iacob Cooper Iohn Van Nieupoort Peter Ianson Van Zanten Harman Crayevanger Rowland Tailler Vincent Corthals Secretarie His Worship vnderstanding by all the precedent Confessions the designe of the Agent of the honourable English Company of Amboyna with the Merchants and other Confederates and although that he was sufficiently informed that hee might haue taken them into custody yet he would not hast thereunto but first he caused to be brought before him Abell Price English Barber who for other offences as an Incendiarie for vsing violence in other mens houses was already in prison and after the said Prisoner was told the place persons and times where he had consulted with the Iaponezes and with other English vpon the consultation afore-said they vnderstood by him that which followeth Dated the 25. of February 1623. Subscribed Harman Van Speult Laurence de Marschalck Clement Kersseboom Iohn Iohnson Vischer Iohn Van Leeuwen Iohn Iacobson Wincoop Leonard Clocq Martin Iohnson Vogell Iohn Ioosten Iacob Cooper Iohn Van Nieupoort Peter Iansen van Zanten Harman Crayevanger Rowland Tailler Vincent Corthals Secretarie The Confession of Abell Price aged 24. yeares borne at Neles in Wales in the Countie of Pembroke Confessed That he by the command and order of Captaine Towersan had conference with Sidney Migiell Iaponeze concerning the taking of the Castle promising vnto every Iaponeze their share in the bootie Further he confesseth that he did treate two or three times in the Quarter of Mardriques with M. Thomson M. Iohnson and Iohn Clarke and the Iaponezes concerning the said matter Further he confesseth That the said Migiell Iaponeze was three or foure times in the English house with him and conferred with him and them divers times and they informed Captain Towerson of their discourse Confessing further That the said treason should haue been put in execution when any English ships should arriue Further he confesseth that all the Merchants of the Facturies resorting to Amboyna had knowledge of the said treason Further he saith That they intended to put it in execution when one of their shippes should come Further he confesseth That if they had taken the Castle they would haue done all the dammage and offence possible to the Citizens if they agreed not with them And this he confirmed with his name Abell Price His Worship vnderstanding this hee thought good for to send for Captaine Towerson to the Castle the which he did presently by a certaine Merchant who went to the English House and presently returned to the Castle with M. Towerson who was very much troubled and altered and then his Worship said to him that hee was very much amazed and sorry for that which he had vnderstood by the Iaponeze and the Barber having many times admonished the said Captain Towerson that he should not entertaine or draw vnto him as hee did the English Iaponeze and Spanish Prisoners which were in the service of him and the Low Countries That it did cause and giue suspition of ill consultation and other things but as he thought Captaine Towerson did not know any thing but that now hee marked in him a great alteration and astonishment The Governour Van Speult with his Counsell found good that they should retaine by way of provision the said Captaine Towerson and M Thomson and he was told presently that he should stay there as Prisoner and should take a lodging in one of the Chambers of the Merchants But the said Master Towerson desired that by reason of his qualitie they would grant him to be Prisoner in his owne Chamber in the House of the honourable English Companie to the which his Worship agreed vpon condition that first he should cause to come or send all his men into the Castle the which was done and that he should bee there Prisoner with some Keepers Captaine Towerson being gone his Worship holding a Counsell thought good presently to examine all the English one after another and they were examined some before torture others after a little torture confessing as followeth Done the 26. of February 1623. Signed Harman van Speult Laurence de Marschalck Clement Kersseboom Iohn Iohnson vischer Iohn Van Leeuwen Iohn Iacobson Wincoop Leonard Clocq Martin Iohnson Vogell Iohn Ioosten Iacob Cooper Iohn Van Nieupoort Peter Ianson Van Zanten Harman Crayevanger Rowland Tailler Vincent Corthals Secretarie The Confession of Timothy Iohnson Factor borne at New-Castle aged 29. yeares Confesseth That he was in one of the houses of the Iaponezes in the Quarter of the Madriques with M. Thomson Iohn Clarke and Abell Price three or foure times for to consult of the taking of the Castle and of massacring those of the Low-Countries which consultation was kept six or seaven dayes agoe Further he confesseth That Captaine Towerson on New-yeares-day last having all his Merchants assembled with him proposed vnto them how that the Hollanders did great injuries to the English and asked them if they had not the courage to helpe to revenge all their wrongs for his own part he knew the wayes and meanes both within and without with the ayde of certaine Souldiers Iaponezes that were lodged in the Castle to make himselfe Master thereof And they all answered that they had And hee confesseth That their exploit should haue beene put in execution when the Governour should be out of the Castle vpon some exploit and those that were in the Castle should be weake and ill provided And also that all the Merchants of other Facturies resorting thither had knowledge of the said Treason And further he saith That they would haue shared the bootie with the
justifie their processe of Amboyna even to the face of his Majestie which are their owne facing words although the same parties at their first arivall in Holland kept themselues close and were not â—owne where to be found when the Ministers of this state sought after them Which bold face being put vpon this bad matter hath so farre countenanced the same as that some of our owne Nation there allied to the Dutch â—â—ue in private stept vp in defence of the sayd barbarous butchery and seeme at least to thinke the matter aggravated above the true desert Wherefore least the poore innocent English that haue already suffered so many and so grievous â—â—rtures and afterwards a reproachfull death should now â—â—aine after death suffer in their good names also which is or ought to be dearer then life it selfe least also the English East India Company that haue likewise suffered too many indignities and such damages from the Dutch should seeme to haue made a great cry without as just a cause They now finde it high time to vindicate their owne reputation and the fame of their innocent servants and Country-men by accquainting the world with the true state of the businesse as also to defend and maintaine their former true relation from the exceptions taken against it by 〈◊〉 following Remonstrance of the Dutch And because the Acts of the processe of Amboyna are often mentioned as well in this Remonstrance as in the Reply therevnto the same also are inserted betweene both to cleare the relatiue passages on both parts ⸪ A REMONSTRANCE of the Bewinthebbers or Directors of the Netherlands East India Company lately exhibited to the Lords States Generall in iustification of the proceedings of their Officers at Amboyna against the English there Translated out of French High and mighty Lords THE Directors of the vnited Company and Society of the East-Indies did in the moneth of Iuly past present vnto your Honours a Deduction concerning that which was past in the Prouince of Amboyna and of the execution there made in March 1623 with a prouisionall answer of the Obiections which then were made and knowne against it But where this Cause by that meanes could not be ended and for as much as daily there are found spred abroad great Bruits against that which is mentioned in the Deduction aforesaid therefore the said Directors in regard of their charge and office as also for the defence of their Seruants so farre as reason permitteth and not to be thought destitute and naked of good defence yea that they may not leaue the matter for condemned as diuers haue spred abroad and gladly would make the world beleeue cannot forbeare to make after due reuerence this more particular Instruction in forme of Remonstrance vnto your Honors In the first place then the Directors doe yet persist in their said Deduction because the same may serue to giue light to the whole cause And considering the waighty and infallible Inditia and euidence that preceded this discouery of the Treason of certaine English yea the same being notorious as also the proceedings which haue legally and according to Law passed against the Confederates as appeareth by the Iudiciall Acts signed as well by those which were examined as by the Councell of Amboyna which is a Colledge admitted and sworne and against which no proofe much lesse any vaine and friuolous suspition should bee admitted They the Directors absolutely beleeue so long as they see no more to the contrary that the said English Conspirators and other Confederates which were in our seruice were well apprehended and the fact in our opinions so well proued according to Law and the vse custome in such case obserued the proceedings haue been leg all in pursuir therof the punishment which they haue sustained was inflicted according to the common Law with good moderation of the rigour of Iustice with clemency Notwithstanding there haue beene many Writings and Deductions as the Directors vntill this time perceiue and discouer sowed and spred against this cause as well in England as in these parts among which for as much as we know the first is a summary of Newes out of Letters dated the 10 of Iune 1623 written by the English Factors at Batauia which immediately will be iudged by euery one who neuer so little and superficially shall reade the same to be full of passion contrary to the Truth and without any proofe For first the proceeding by the Iustice at Amboyna vpon the Confederates there is blamed therein and by preiudication called an vniust Murder wicked and barbarous the fashion and manner of the racke or torture likewise described and exaggerated with great vehemency and passion And also it is not true that therein is said that the other Indians besides the English confederates in the fact were Seruants of the English Company whereas it appeareth otherwise to wit that the Indian confederates were Seruants of the Dutch Company as is well knowne to be true and yet this writing hath taken great place amongst great and small and hath beene showed as a patterne or modell whereupon the other griefes haue beene formed against the said Iustice of Amboyna Vpon which incontinently followed a more large and ample Writing called The true Relation of the cruell and barbarous torture and execution committed by the Flemings vpon the English in Amboyna In the Introduction whereof proceedeth impertinently a description of Amboyna and of the Garison and force of the Dutch in the same place and this onely to the end as appeareth to show thereby that there is no appearance that the English should consult of the taking of the said place as a thing impossible As if by reason of the small vnderstanding and simple foundation which the Conspirators had to put their designe in execution and in effect omitting all other accusations they had not in any kind merited and deserued any punishment the contrary whereof appeareth to be practised daily in the like crimes And to cite this presumption vnto the annihilating of a truth so notorious and proued and against the proper confessions of the executed and other Confederates against the conscience and testimony of so many honest men and of credit which haue beene imployed in the cause and against a Colledge of Iudges publicke and sworne this cannot in any manner be admitted receiued nor had in consideration by such as haue vnderstanding in these affaires But to the contrary and besides all the reasons aforegoing the Dutch Company hath made it to appeare by good proofes that the English to the end to diuert and get forth of the Castle the forces of the Dutch had in the Countries and Ilands therabouts stirred vp induced and caused to rebell all the Ternatanes Ceraniens and the Indian nations bordering there openly and by publicke violence to make such vnaccustomed outrages vpon the Subiects of the Castle that the Gouernor might be constrained to goe forth from thence with all his forces
A REMONSTRANCE OF THE DIRECTORS OF THE NETHERLANDS East India Company presented to the Lords States Generall of the vnited Provinces in defence of the said Companie touching the bloudy proceedings against the English Merchants executed at Amboyna TOGETHER With the Acts of the Processe against the sayd ENGLISH AND The Reply of the English East India Company to the said Remonstrance and Defence Published by Authority Printed at London by Iohn Dawson for the East India Company 163◠¶ To the Reader Gentle Reader THe Remonstrance of the Netherlands East India Company hereafter in the first place following was by the same Company presented to the Lord States Generall of the vnited Provinces in November Anno 1624. for Answere of the Relation of the English East India Company touching the vnjust cruell and barbarous proceeding against the English at Amboyna and for justification of that infamous processe the Coppie of which Remonstrance being imparted to the sayd English Company they forth with writ the subsequent Reply and sent the same to be presented to the said Lords States Generall for a counter-poyson a-against the said Remonstrance At that time the English Company intended not to have publisht it in Print thereby to make so many Iudges of the cause as now they must but vpon faire hope then given them out of the Netherlands trusted by the justice of the Lords States Generall joyned with that of their owne Soveraigne to obtaine an issue of this cause according to the merits thereof But the Ambassadour of the said Lords States being here in England in Iune 1625. and moved by his Majestie for satisfaction for the lives of his subjects that were so treacherously but chered by theirs at Amboyna as also for restitution of their goods so made forfeit and recompence for the damage of the English Company by this and other actions vsed such excuse and cullor as it seemeth out of the ground of this Remonstrance which after many provisionall disputes finally concludeth for delay of tryall that at the last in September the same yeare they obtained of his Majestie a respit of 18. moneths for the calling home of the Governour Harman van Speult and the rest of the Iudges in the sayd bloudy processe from out of the Indies to answere the matter here themselues and for satisfaction of all the other Complaints of the English Company To whom although this respit was irkesome having already borne so long delay in a cause of such impatient nature as also having a suspition of the sinister intent of the Dutch Companie in this new respit neverthelesse considering that this was a favour craved by the said Lords States in their first Ambassage to his Majestie and their very congratulations of his happy successe to his rightfull Crownes they held it their duty to conforme themselues to his Majesties grace herein As also the same English Company having confidence in the sincere dealing of the Lords States Generall whose Letter of the 31. of December 1624. for calling home of the sayd bloudy Governour and others was committed to their conveyance and by them sent into the Indies hoped that their remedy though slow and long would yet at last be sure and serious and so they put on a new patience and expectation of some issue of this likely course But having waited out this respit which expired some years now past they finde all things fall out contrary to their hope so grounded vpon the Lords States promise and Letter but altogether verifying their suspition of the drift of the Netherlands Company before mentioned For the said Letter of the Lords States being by the English President at Iacatra safely delivered to Carpentier Governour Generall of the Dutch in the Indies he when Harman van Speult the late Governour of Amboyna and head of the bloudy treachery against the English there arrived at Iacatra received him with great honour yea with triumph and instead of sending him for Europe to answere the complaints of the English according to the direction and commandments of the Lords States by their sayd Letter made him cheife Commander of a fleete of ships sent from thence to Surat and other Northerne parts of the Indies The English President and Councell at Iacatra in vaine protesting here-against and vrging his remission to Europe in consequence of the Letter of the Lords States aforesayd Neither haue the Officers of the sayd Netherlands Company in the Indies in all that respit of 18 moneths nor in all the time since made any restitution or reparation to the English as was promised and pretended nor any preparation thereunto but rather haue added new grievances So that it now plainely appeareth that the sayd Netherlands East India Company in their earnest suite to the Lords States to procure his Majestie to giue respit for the due tryall of the cause of Amboyna inserted in the latter end of this ensuing Remonstrance intended nothing lesse then such a true tryall but a cooling and blunting of the edge and zeale of the English Company in pursuing of their due remedies hoping as it is in the fable of him that vndertooke to teach the Asse to speake that in long delay and respit of time something might happen vtterly to elude and frustrate the reall performance In the meane time besides the goods of the English that they detaine they enioy the whole trade of the Mulluccoes Banda and Amboyna the true though wretched motive of their abhominable processe against the Innocents and haue raised the Nutmegs Maces Cloues being by this meanes solely in their owne hands to more then double the price of that they were at in these parts when the English had their share in them Whereby it appeareth how sincerely this following Remonstrance slighteth this matter as a poore end though it so much enrich the Dutch Company as likewise how much not onely the whole Realme of ENGLAND but even all the Kingdomes and Common wealths in Europe that are thus served with those Spices at such high rates are interessed in this cause And yet besides all the premises the English Company finde another and more proper cause of their recourse to the presse at this present otherwise for all the rest they could perhaps attend other remedies But they finde that in this Interim of the cause and motives whereof the world could take no notice many not onely of the Dutch but English also begin to conceiue worse of the English cause presuming that if it had beene such as the discourses formerly published in this argument imported they thinke certainely ere this to haue heard of some exemplary punishment vpon so execrable a fact or at least of some serious preparation thereunto In particuler the English Company vnderstand that some of the bloudy Colledge of Iudges being returned into the Low Countries and living free and well countenanced there have of late vpon confidence as it seemes of the effectuall working of their elusory Artifice craked and vaunted that they will
thing by the voluntary confession of the said Beomont against the intent of the English principalls should not further be discovered and confirmed Fiftly concerning the persons which were imployed as Iudges in the cause of Amboyna in the matter of the condemned and specially the Governour Van Speult because hee is best knowne they are such that there cannot be any the least suspition or doubt of them that they had wrongfully or without sufficient ground caused the English to be accused or ill handled or much lesse to bee put to death if they had not beene found really in fault worthily to haue deserved the punishment the Governour Van Speult being held for an honest man of credit and fearing God by all those that haue conversed with him and by consequence there may not bee admitted such a contrary suspition of his impious and maligne proceedings In the fift place concerning the Torture of Water which the Dutch haue alwayes vsed in the Indies as the most assured and civill which is not a torture so rough and dangerous as the tortures which are ordinarily vsed in this Country and throughout Europe which are farre more severe and dangerous then that of Water whereby the health of the person cannot any way be offended nor the membrs lamed or bruised All which things aforesaid in representation and maintenance of the truth in this case and which further might be in conformity of what is aforesaid represented by the comming and arriving of many other persons out of the Indies who also haue knowledge of that which passed at Amboyna May it please your Honors to take into consideration and to consider whether there bee not sufficient matter and cause given to the English East Indian Company for to leaue and remit the fault vnto them who were the authors and practisers of this abominable conspiracy of their owne misfortune which they thus drew vpon themselues and not to defend them and aggravate against the Iudges of the Dutch to which end the Directors in defence and maintenance of their Officers and vnblameable Ministers in the East Indies aforesaid cannot omit to beseech your Honors that the cause may not bee precipitated but that covenient time might bee given and granted for a more exact research if need bee of the truth yea in all to grant them such protection as all good Subjects and Patriots of the Vnited Provinces are to attend from your Honors in equity and justice For now can this businesse be so inverted that in stead of the dishonour and blame which ought to dwel vpon the Confederates on the contrary now they will blot and smother the truth of the thing and to accuse and charg the Dutch Officers as if they had had no honesty or conscience which cannot bee presumed of substantiall people of good renowne vpon any either voluntarie though not true or suborned and false deposition of such as may not be admitted to testifie in their owne cause against the judiciall Acts of a Colledge of Iudges sworne and in so great a number which haue of a long time beene so imployed when it appeareth not otherwise by any other legall proofes The intention of the Directors never was nor yet is to maintaine any injustice outrage or imposture if in these proceedings there were any vsed but as long as it appeareth not clearely as it ought in this case against a Colledge and against a cause judged nothing else vnder reverence can be done in the businesse but to grant time for to make more exact and serious search if need be and that by the authority and intervention of your Honours as it shall appertaine all mis-vnderstanding contrary Deductions and ill expositions griefes and designes may cease and bee surpressed vntill such time as the contrary may if need bee appeare The said Defences are such in our opinion as vnder reverence this ought to be done And although it were so that the cause of the English against the Iudges of Amboyna seemed wholly to be cleare and proved which hitherto hath proved to the contrary neverthelesse the proceedings of the said Iudges may not in any wise be condemned as touching the substance thereof without hearing the Iudges themselues whom the cause properly toucheth and concerneth and not the Directors who onely mediate for as much as according to the information and knowledge which they haue of the cause it seemeth to them to be in effect just and faire and therefore the humble remonstrance or representation and prayer of the Administrators or Directors haue ever beene that it would please yours Honours to giue and grant covenient time for the inquiry information and re-search of the businesse vntill such time as the ships of Batavia shall be arrived here to the end that the matter may more plainly and truely be discovered and knowne and without doubt there will come and be transported therein from thence some that will neutrally and in such sort maintaine vnto your Honours the particular informations of the proceedings passed in Amboyna that they may be wholly beleeved and received as at this present there is come and fallen out by the comming and returne of M. Fredericke de Houtman chiefe Councellor of the Indies and ancient Governour of the Isles of Molucques who hath deposed and by oath testified the points in manner as they are recited and related in order as aboue which bringeth not a little light in this cause but may wholy tend and turne to the overthrow of all contrary expositions and calumnies which heretofore haue beene vsed and set forth with such differences and vehemency wherby we hope that your Honors will in all points and that with equity right and reason giue and cause to be given such content that all discontent at least by provision may cease vntill such time as the whole truth may more and abundantly come to light by advice from the Indies to the full satisfaction of those whom it toucheth or concerneth For may it please your Honors to know and vnderstand that the best and most pertinent and true knowledg of the businesse must come from the Province of Amboyna to Batavia and from thence hither Notwithstanding so it is that since the departure of the Pinace called the Hare from Batavia which was in the beginning of Ianuary 1624. by which the first notice of the execution was brought vntill the departure of the last ships which also came from Batrvia there is not nor cannot haue come any newes from Amboyna to Batavia concerning this businesse because the winde called the Westerne Moussons blow continually from November vntill Aprill And for to come from Amboyna to Batavia an Easterne Mousson is necessary and that beginneth first in May so that without that it is a thing impossible to send or get any advice or ships from Amboyna to Batavia We hope also that your Lordships will finde this reasonable and that due and reasonable time required shall be granted and permitted in justice for
the more ample search and information of the cause if need be and we cannot conjecture being a thing incredible that any one will condeme any cause or persons without first hearing the justification of the parties which alwaies hath beene held and observed inviolably of all nations which would judge according to right and equity Therefore wee hope that it will be thus granted yea it is not reasonable that any reparation should bee required before the due defences and informations of the businesse bee made and taken and the same ought to be made and taken by and from the persons whom the cause concerneth appertaineth and is knowne and who also pertinently know how to refute the objections and circumstances alleadged and heretofore vrged to the contrary which vnto vs is impossible to doe not having been present but only for the defence of our Officers for so much as is just and reasonable wee can alleadge that which they haue written vnto vs from the Indies and what else we haue certainly perceived and vnderstood Also we cannot in the meane time conceale from your Honours that the fact of this conspiracy is so notorious in the Indies and that thence may bee drawne so strong and vigorous proofes that the Truth shall fully and sufficiently appeare to the full discharge of the innocents and the confusion of those which will defend and maintaine a bad cause And this may bee proved there besides the points aboue alleadged First that all the Iaponians complices in the conspiracy haue signed each with their own hands their confessions and afterwards jointly and all altogehet haue persisted therein after the end of the examination without torture or fetters at many sittings and full assemblies of the Councell at Amboyna without revoking any thing or desiring to diminish or augment any thing from or to their said confessions In the second place That the English Complices at sundry times of their own accord without paine irons tortures or menaces ratified the same and respectiuely signed their confessions vpon which confessions they were afterwards againe examined three or foure times and re-examined in a full Councell and Assembly and after their examination haue persisted therein without revoking or changing any thing Thirdly that the Governour of Amboyna after that all the complices had respectiuely foure or fiue times ratified their confessions and persisted therein a little before the execution seriously remonstrated exhorted represented and demanded of the said complices as before had done vnto them in particular That in case any one of them had by apprehension of justice feare of menaces or terrour of paine said confessed and signed any thing by which he was surprized and made guilty and wherby others might come and fall into danger or hazard that hee should speake and manifest it openly that he might discharge the party thereof For the Governour protested that he was not desirous of the destruction and death of any that was not guilty Vpon which proposition every one of them shrunke vp their shoulders and said that what he had confessed and signed particularly was true and therefore he persisted therein In the fourth place One of the complices called William Webber in his last examination confessed that he had receiued a Letter from Iohn Clarke by which he was advertised that something of great waight and consequence was handled amongst the English hut he could not vnderstand what it might be the which letter containing as aforesaid the said Clarke confessed also in the abscence of Webber that he had written it Fiftly that Edward Collins being examined and making his confession without any torment or torture as appeareth by the Acts offered to confesse all of his owne freewill yea hee declared the same before Gabriel Towerson and all the other English and that he did not thinke that the said Towerson and all the rest which were there faulty would dare to deny it but would presently confesse it as also the said Towerson being brought to Collins and the said Collins falling vpon his knees and requiring mercie and pardon he said and told it him to his face admonishing the said Towerson that he would presently declare and confesse all as he had done saying I must speake and confesse the truth and I meane not to suffer or endure any paine for the loue of you In the sixt place That Emanuel Tompson two dayes after the examination finished and ended and when he was free and at liberty being inquired by the Commissioners which had assisted in the same examination wherefore he had so long persisted in his denials and endured the seuere examination said the reason was because Captaine Gabriel Towerson had oftentimes reprehended his drunkennesse saying that hee should take good heed that thereby the matter should not be discouered For which cause he said Tompson did by a great oath sweare to himselfe that howsoeuer it went hee would not bee the third nor the fourth by whom the matter should be knowne whatsoeuer paine in his opinion he could haue beene put vnto Seuenthly the said Emanuel Tompson certaine daies after his examination being visited by certaine Commissioners said vnto them that hee was very glad that God had caused the business to be brought to light because much innocent blood would haue beene spilt and although he confessed that hee had deserued once yea twice to dye he asked mercy seeing that he was a man of about fiftie yeares c. And so after so much fauour was giuen to the said Tompson for to draw a lot with Coulson and Collins which of them three should be released and freed In the eight place that two or three dayes before the execution Captaine Towerson being in the Hall with other the conuict English said in the presence of the Gouernour and all the Councell and to the rest of the English in generall by reproach that their ill and disordinate liues their whoredome and drunkennesse was the cause that it pleased God that they should not keepe secret the intended enterprise and that by reason thereof they were now fallen and brought to such misery Ninthly that Gabriel Towerson author of this conspiracy in his last extremitie prayed the rest of his complices to pardon him because that by him Towerson they were instigated and brought vnto the said enterprise and were reduced to that case and that the businesse was come to be discouered by the all seeing God and that he must of necessity dye and therefore hauing brought them into this danger and ill chance he prayed them to pardon him as they also did In the tenth place The said Towerson a little before his death writ a Letter to Samuel Coulson which letter is yet in the hands of the Gouernor of Amboyna Herman van Speult by which the said Towerson said and alleadged vnto the said Coulson that he the said Coulson was the first and principall cause which had made the agreement and condescending vnto the act of inuading and making of
themselues masters of the Castle but notwithstanding at the present he pardoned him Eleuenthly that the ship called the Vnicorne saying from Amboyna to Batauia the two English Merchants Edward Collins and Iohn Beomont which were pardoned were transported therein vnto the end to â—npetrate and obtaine their full pardon in Batauia aforesaid and they two English Merchants being requested by the officers of the ship to come sit down and eate at the Table of the Commissioners during the said voyage the said Collins said excusing of himselfe that they were not worthy to sit by the said Commissioners because that the said English had had such an ill purpose and design against the Dutch and yet they were by them in that fashion entertained and were exempted of the punishment and therefore they could very well eate apart which excuse notwithstanding was not receiued nor accepted by the Commissioners of the Dutch In the twelfth place are adioyned and annexed the report and depositions of the said Gouernour de Houtman concerning the confessions of the said two English Merchants made before the Gouernor himselfe and afterwards before the President and principall English and that which further may be declared at Batauia whereof diuers persons there haue notice In the thirteenth place concerning the torture in the proceedings vsed at Amboyna they can giue certaine proofe of the truth it selfe that many persons mentioned in the English Writing to haue bin tortured with water and fire haue not one beene once touched In the fourteenth place concerning the particularities and petty points of the said Writing in English touching the examination of certaine persons therein mentioned for the discharge and innocency of the English the same shall bee proued neuer to haue beene done nor heard by depositions of those which haue beene present at all and by persons before whom such things must needs haue beene spoken and declared In the fifteenth place it shall also bee found that the pretended miracles were deuised onely for the discharge of the English and in their fauour These said points and many others which are yet further well knowne to the Directors may be clearly and by good proofe showne in time and place if due and conuenient time be giuen and granted vnto the cause and re-search thereof which in a matter so important and of such waight comming also from so remote parts cannot vnder reuerence be denied to any So that your Honours may please to desire the same of his Maiesty of Great Britaine without which the Directors can very ill propose any other meanes which would not be mingled either with iniustice or the great preiudice and disaduantage of the Dutch Company We also surely hope that his said Maiesty according to his great wisedome and iustice cannot refuse or deny the said respite for the examination of the businesse more exactly and particularly which wee beseech your Honours in all reuerence to interpose and mediate and by all meanes to effect and obtaine that as reason requireth neither the Company in generall nor the Masters in particular may not during this interim be any way grieued or preiudiced in their iust defences Which doing c. AN AVTHENTICK COPY OF THE CONFESSIONS AND SENTENCES AGAINST M. TOVVERSON AND COMPLICES CONCERNING THE BLOVDY CONSPIracy enterprised against the Castle of AMBOYNA The which by the manifest grace and providence of God was discovered the 23. day of February in the yeare 1623. As also the Resolutions of the Governour Van Speult and of the Councell taken in this businesse Translated out of their owne Copy Published by Authority LONDON Printed by IOHN DAVVSON for the EAST INDIA COMPANY 1632. AN AVTHENTICK Copy of the Confessions and Sentences against Mr. Towerson and Complices concerning the bloudy conspiracy enterprised against the Castle of Amboyna the which by the manifest grace and providence of God was discouered the 23. day of February in the yeare 1623. as also the Resolutions of the Governour Van Speult and of the Councell taken in the busines The Translation WHereas on the 23. of Februry 1623. by the manifest grace and providence of God it was discovered That a certaine Iaponesse called Hytieso at night and at vnlawfull howers at Sermon and Prayers time contrary to order and to his condition did passe divers times along by the Ramparts and before the Points and at diuers times there where he found the Souldiers yong and vnexperienced made enquiry how many Souldiers of the Lowe Countries there were in the Castle and how many times they changed the watch every night The Worshipfull Harman van Speult Councellor of the Indies and Governour of Amboyna vpon great reasons taking his actions and demands for suspicious caused the sayd Iaponeze to appeare before him and the Councell and examining him of the truth he confessed as followeth Datum vt supra Being signed Harman van Speult Laurence de Marschalck Clement Kersseboom Iohn IohnsoÌ„ vischer Iohn van Leeuwen Iohn Iacobson-wincoop Leonard Clocq Martin Ianson Vogell Iohn Ioosten Iacob Cooper Iohn van Nieupoort Peter Ianson van Zanten Harman Crayevanger Rowland Tailler Vincent Corthals Secretarie Hytieso Iaponois of the age of 24. yeares borne at Fernado in Iapon denyed the same but the Souldiers being produced before him of whom he had divers times and in divers places asked those questions he confessed that he had done it out of a merry disposition and for pleasure whereupon his Worsh sayd vnto him that such things at vnseasonable times could not be asked for pleasure of the yonger and vnexperienced Souldiers but that of necessity it must be otherwise and in pursuit thereof being of that opinion he with those of his Councell caused him to be brought to the torture the Prisoner having beene tortured a while desired that they would cease and hee would confesse all that did belong to the busines and then he confessed that a certaine other Iaponeze being also Souldier to the Dutch Companie in the East Indies called Sidney Migiell who had heretofore beene servant to the honorable English Company had desired him to enquire of the thing aforesayd and moreover he confessed that he had beene asked by the sayd Migiell if he would lend his ayde amongst other Iaponezers ro deliver the Castle into the hands of the English to the which he answered he would vpon condition of good recompence which was offered him by the sayd Iaponeze in the name of the English Hee confessed that hee had communicated and consulted concerning the delivery of the Castle divers times as well in the quarters of Mardiques as in the English house with divers other Iaponezes and with Mr. Timothie Iohnson English Merchant and Abell Price English Barber and that within three moneths last past He sayth that the Iaponian Souldiers which were in the Castle did agree to deliver the said Castle into the hands of the English and that they had ingaged themselues to serue them Further he confesseth that they would put this exploit and