Reedited and Translated
by P. VOORHOEVE
In the 17th century the Danish extended
their commercial activities from their settlement in Tranquebar on the
Coromandel Coast to various parts of Indonesia. These relations to no small
extent came into being through the cooperation and advice of Dutchmen who found
the road to Asia barred to their own enterprises because of the Dutch United
Company monopoly1. Thus we find in the Danish National
Archives some Malay letters to kings of Denmark accompanied by Dutch
translations. Two of these letters have been published by Danish historians.
They are re-edited here because original Malay manuscripts dated int he 17th
century are scarce, and because they are good specimens of the style of letter
writing at Indonesian courts at that time. On January 7th, 1675 both the Sultan
and the Shahbandar of Banten (Western Java) wrote letters to King Frederic III
of Denmark.
The Sultan asked for cannon and powder and mentioned that 176 bahara (a
weight) of pepper, for which there had been no room in the Danish ship Faerae, were
being kept in store2. In a letter dated H. 1082, without month
or day (i.e. between May lOth, 1671 and April 28th, 1672), from the Sultan of
Banten to King Christian V, the Sultan again mentions the 176 bahara of pepper
which had been deposited by Capt. Adeler with the Banten nobleman Angabèhi
Cakradana. This letter is transliterated and translated below3.
In Gunnar Olsen's contribution to the publication "Vore gamle
Trope-kolonier" this letter is reproduced on p. 102 and a Danish
translation is given on p. 651. However, the translation does not agree with
the Malay text. It was apparently made from a later letter. Here in the Sultan
says that the pepper left behind by Capt. Adeler had been delivered to Capt.
Christian Bielke.
Another letter from the Sultan of Banten to Christian V, dated February
15th, 1675, is reproduced in H. Henningsen's edition of Dagbog fra en
Ostindiefart 1672-75 af ]. P. Cortemünde, p. 29. A Danish translation from
Dutch is given in Appendix 5 (p. 222). In this case too the Dutch translation
differs from the Malay text. The differences will be discussed in the notes to
our transliteration and translation of the Malay letter.
FIRST LETTER
Transliteration:
At the top, between two wax-seals(?) with illegible inscriptions: Ngilamat
Sultan Banten (Jav. script) 1082 (European numbers). Note in Gothic script:
Dette Er Sultanen af f Bantam Egenn Haand, som hand Selff haffuer Schreffuitt.
Above the tèxt at the right-hand side the black imprint of the Sultan's seal,
reading: Al-Wathik Billah Al-Sultan Abü'l-Fath ibn Al-Sultan Ab(ü'l-Macalï) ibn
Al-Sultan Abï'l-Mafakhir ibn Muhammad ibn Yüsuf ibn Hasaniddïn.
Text of the letter:
Ini surat menyatakan
tulus dan ikhlas daripada Paduka Siri Sultan Abü'l-Fath di Banten yang
mengempukan tahta pekerjaan (sic) dalam negeri Banten khallada'llahu mulkahu
wa-sayyara acnak acadiyah (sic) mulkihi datang kepada raja Danmark yang bernama
Raja Kerristian anak Raja Parraiderrai yang mengempukan tahta pekerjaan dalam
negeri Danmark raja yang termashur4 gagah berani-dalam segala
negeri atas angin dan negeri bawah angin ialah raja yang amat bangsawan serta
setiawan dan yang bijaksana pada memerintah segala pekerjaan di darat dan di
laut serta mengelakukan isticadat raja2 dalam negeri Danmark.
Adapun kemudian daripada itu bahwa surat dan bingkis daripada Raja Kerristian
itu telah sampailah kepada Raja Paduka Serri Sultan di Banten dengan
sempurnanya. Maka apabila dibukalah surat itu dari-pada meterainya semerbaklah
bau-bauwan yang amat herrum daripada kasturi dan canbar akan mengatakan
perkataan tulus dan ikhlas dan hendak berkasih-kasihan. Sahdan barang maksud
Raja Keristian yang tersebut dalam kitabat itu tellah diketahuilah oléh Paduka
Seri Sultan di Banten maka Paduka Seri Sultan pun terlalulah sukacitta sebab
mendengar perkataan Raja Kerristian yang tersebbut didalam kitabat itu.
Sebermula adapun Raja Kerristian hendak meminta tanah dalam negeri Banten akan
tempatnya kapitan Danmark duduk di Banten kerana hendak beniaga didalam negeri
Banten suddahlah Paduka Seri Sultan memberi tanah yang dikehendaki oléh kapitan
Danmark itu serta beberapa perjanjian Paduka Seri Sultan kepada kapitan Danmark
yang duduk di Banten itu seperti yang tersurat didalam surat perjanjian itu.
Sebermula Paduka Seri Sultan meminta kepada Raja Kerristian jual-jualan obat
bedil pada tiap2 masa kapal belayar ke Banten sekira 2 obat bedil itu
seratus pikul dan demikian lagi peluru bedil besar 2 . Sahdan Paduka Seri
Sultan memberi maclum kepada Raja Kerristian dahulu kala Kapitan Haddelar menitipkan
lada kepada Angabèhi Cakradana banyaknya lada itu seratus bahara dan tujuh
puluh enam bahara. Tammat.5
Translation:
Signature of the Sultan of Banten. (A.H.) 1082. This is a letter expressing the
sincere and honest feelings of His Majesty Sultan Abu'l-Fath of Banten, owner
of the Royal Throne6 in the country of Banten (may God
perpetuate his reign and break(?) the necks of the foes of his kingdom) towards
the king of Denmark, called King Christian, son of King Frederic, owner of the
Royal Throne in the country of Denmark, a king whose bravery is famous in the
lands above the wind and in the lands below the wind; he is a
most noble and faithful kirig, wise in ruling everything on land and sea and in
enforcing the royal customs in the country of Denmark.
Further, Your Majesty's letter and gift have reached us in good order. When the
letter was taken from its sealed envelope, a fragrant perfume of musk and
ambergris was diffused, conveying words of sincerity and expressing the wish
for mutual friendship. We, Sultan of Banten, fully understand the contente of
your, King Christian's, letter and we were extxemely pleased to hear the words
of your missive.
Further, as to your, King Christian's, requèst to be granted a piece of land in
the country of Banten, to be used for a residence for the Danish captain in
Banten. because he wants to conduct trade in the country of Banten, We, Sultan
of Banten, have given a plot of land in accordance with the Danish captain's
wishes. We have made an agreement with the Danish captain, in the terms
mentioned in the written treaty.
Further, we ask you, King Christian, to send us gun-powder for sale, about 100
picols of powder every time your ships sail to Banten, and also large cannon
balls.
And furtherrnore, we let you, King Christian, know that Captain Adeler has
formerly deposited pepper with Angabèhi Cakradana, a quantity of 176 bahara.
Finish7
SECOND LETTER
Transliteration:
Subhana man tanazzaha
'ani'l-jahsad'i (The same stamp as on the first letter; the words ibn Abü (sic)
'l-Macalï are clearly legible here).
Ini surat pada menyatakan tulus kasih dan ikhlas daripada Paduka Seri Sultan
Abü'l-Fath di negeri Banten khallada'llahu mulkahu wasultanahu wa-abbada
cadlahu' wa-ihsanahu sainpai kiranya kepada Raja.
Karistian Kuwaintus anak Raja Parra Darrai yang mengempukan atas tahta segala
kerajaan didalem nagri Danamarka yang dikaruniyaï Allah subhanahu kiranya dan
ditambahi kebessaran kan kemuliaan pada tiap2 masa siang dan malem dan yang
dilebihkan kiranya dalam dunya ini daripada raja2 yang dahulu pada
memerintahkan segala raciyyatnya karena melakukan isticadat kabaikan dalam
negerinya dan yang amat memelihara kepada segala orang baniaga dan anak dagang
semuhanya dengan peliharanya yang sempurna dalam dunya ini.
Adapun kemudian daripada itu bahwa surat dan bingkis daripada Raja Karistian
Kuwaintus yang dibawaya (sic) oléh Kapitan Haddalar yang jadi Kumandur di
negeri Kelling itu tellah sampailah kiranya kepada Paduka Seri Sultan di Banten
dengan sempurnanya maka terlalulah sukkacita daripada hati Paduka Seri Sultan
akan mendengar perkataan Raja Karistian yang termadhkur dalam surat dan kitabat
itu dan tellah diketahuilah kiranya oléh Paduka Seri Sultan di Banten.
Sebermula Raja Karistian Kuwaintus berkirim beddil bessar sepucuk tellah
diterimalah oléh Paduka Seri Sultan dengan seribu tarima.
Sebermula lagi Paduka Seri Sultan memberi maclum kepada RajaKaristian akan hal
ihwal lakunya pétor yang duduk di Banten yang bernama Pétor Pahuli akan
gantinya Pétor Mikal itu maka dahulu Paduka Seri Sultan suruh menjual tembaga
ke negeri Kelling dua ratus dua puluh pikul dibawaya (sic) oléh suruhan Pétor
Mikal bernama Kapitan Wilkek kaki kayu ke negeri Kelling. Maka sekarang ini
hendak dihilangkan harga tembaga itu oléh Pétor Kelling yang bernama Mangusakub
sama2 muwafakat dengan Pétor Pahuli itu tiada memberi maclum kepada Paduka
Seri Sultan berapa sudah laku jual tembaga itu di negeri Kelling.
Adapun yang memberi maclum kepada Paduka Seri Sultan akan harga tembaga itu di
negeri Kelling ada satu orang Danmarka duduk ia di negeri Kelling bernama Ian
Indirik, itulah yang memberi maclum kepada Paduka Seri Sultan harga tembaga itu
di negeri Kelling.
Sebermula lagi Pétor Pahuli dan Pétor Mangusakub banyak2 ia buatharu biru
kepada Paduka Seri Sultan tiada ia mau mengikut padaisticadat kebaikan
negeri.Sebermula lagi ada dia membawa dagangan kain tiada ia ben-i surat
seperti mana harganya kain itu karena dia hendak mengilangken harga tembaga itu
Pétor Pahuli dan Pétor Mangusakub. Dan tiada kiriman Paduka Seri Sultan kepada
Raja Karistian hanya lada.
Adapun yang membawa surat ini kapitan kapal bernama Kapitan Riktal. Tersurat
dalam negeri Banten pada hari Isnén pada lima bellas hari daripada bulan
Dhulkaédah pada tahun Dal awwal seribu dualapan puluh lima tahun daripada
hijrat Nabi kita Muhammad salla'llahu calaihi wasallam. Hadakumu'llahu ila
tarïki'l-mustakïm.
Translation:
Glory be to Him who is free from vice.This is a letter offering the sincere and
true friendship of His Majesty Sultan Abu'1-Fath in the country of Banten (may
God pérpetuate his reign and might and make his justice and righteóusness
endure) towards King Christian V, son of King Frederic, who owns the throne of
activities8 in the country of Denmark, and who may ënjoy the
favour of God (to Whom be glory) and whose greatness and glory may be augmented
at every moment, day and night, and who may surpass in this world all former
kings in the government of his subjects, by enforcing the approved customs in
his country, and who takes perfect care of all traders and foreign merchants in
this world.
Furthermore, the letter and gift of King Christian V brought by Capt. Adeler,
Governor of the Coromandel Coast, have reached His Majesty the Sultan of Banten
in good order. His Majesty's heart was extremely pleased to hear the words of
King Christian contained in his letter and missive, and His Majesty the Sultan
of Banten has taken notice of them. Further, King Christian V sent a large
cannon; His Majesty the Sultan has accepted it with a thousand thanks.
Furthermore, concerning the conduct of Factor Paulli, head of the factory in
Banten and successor of Factor Mikkel(sen), His Majesty the Sultan Iets King
Christian know that formerly His Majesty the Sultan gave order to sell 220
picols of copper on the Coromandel Coast. This copper was carried across to the
Coast by a messenger of Factor Mikkelsen called Captain Wilkek (?), a man with
a wooden leg. Now the head of the factory on the Coromandel Coast, Magnus
Jacob(sen), wants to embezzle the proceeds from the sale of this copper,
together with Factor Paulli; they do not let His Majesty the Sultan know at what
price the copper was sold on the Coast.
The man who let His Majesty the Sultan know the price of the copper on the
Coast was a Dane who was living on the Coromandel Coast, Jan Hendrick(sen). He
informed His Majesty the Sultan of the price the copper fetched on the Coast.
Furthermore, Factor Paulli and Factor Magnus Jacobsen cause His Majesty much
trouble, since they refuse to follow the good customs ofthe country.
Further, they have brought a load of textiles without any written statement
about its value, because Factor Paulli and Factor Magnus Jacobsen want to
embezzle the proceeds from the sale of that copper9 The only
thing His Majesty the Sultan sends to King Christian now is pepper. This letter
will be carried by a ship's captain called Captain Rechter10 Given
at Ban ten, Monday 15th Dhulkaédah, in the year Dal awwal, 1085 of the Hijrah
of our Prophet Muhammad, God's blessing and benediction be on him.May God lead
you on the straight path11
Notes:
1 M. A. P. Meilink-Roelofsz, Asian Trade and European
Influence in theIndonesian Archipelago between 1500 and about 1630, p. 205.
2 H. Henningsen, Dagbok fra en Ostindiefart 1672-75 af J. P.
Cortemünde,introduction p. 25, citing Henning Engelhart, De Danske ostindiske
Etablissementers Historie (unpublished MS. in the National Archives) p. 144 f .
It isnot clear whether it is the original Malay letters which are in the
NationalArchives, or only the translations.
3 From Vore gamle Tropekolonier. Red. J. Brondsted. (Gunnar
Olsen, Dansk Ostindien 1616-1732). Vol. I, p. 102; "translation" p.
651: D. Kanc. indlaegtil ostind. reg. 13/3 1672, nr. 9 (Rigsarkivets
udstilling)
4 In the official Malay-Indonesian orthography (1972) sy is
used for the Arabic shyin, but this is unsuitable for scholarly publications,
where sy has always been used to denote two phonemes (s + y) as opposed to the
single phoneme, for which sj was used in Indonesia and sh in Malaya. I have
used s. Some vowels that may seem peculiar in our transliteration represent
vowel signs in the original texts.
5 Some peculiarities of orthography in this letter are: t ' for
e (once Siri for Seri) ;d for d, apparently used without any fixed rule;
duplication of a consonant after e in a few cases (Serri, Kerristian, etc.) but
not consistently.
6 pekerjaan, work, for kerajaan, kingdom, is a queer mistake
made by the scribe at the Banten court, who apparently was appointed because of
his fine, regular handwriting rather than for his knowledge. Only the words
"Ngilamat Sultan Banten" in Javanese script may have been written by
the Sultan's own hand and not the whole letter.
7 The main difference between the contents of the Malay letter
and the Danish "translation" concerns the 176 bahara of pepper.
Furthermore, the translation adds a request for some cordage and specifies the
cannon balls wanted, but it omits the amount of gun-powder. It seems probable that
two nearly identical letters were sent by different ships and that in the
interval between the sending of the first and the second letter the pepper had
been delivered to Captain Bielke
8 The court scribe is again confused by the expression tahta
kerajaan, Royal Throne, and instead of the pekerjaan of the first letter he has
now written segala karjaan, all activities.
9 Apparently the shipment of textiles represented the proceeds
from the saleof the copper.
10 Riktal sounds like the Chinese pronunciation of the name
Rechter or Richter.
1 1 From a photocopy of the Dutch translation which accompanied
this letter it appears that there are two small errors in Henningsen's Danish
translation of this document (Dagbok p. 222): the name of the captain who brought
a letter via England was Valraet, not Valract, and (3rd line of the letter from
below) "her pa kysten" should be "her og pa kysten", i.e.
here (in Banten) and on the (Coromandel) Coast. There are some characteristic
differences between the Malay text of the letter and its Dutch translation. The
Dutchman who made it knew of course that there was nobody at the Danish court
who could read Malay. He shortened the letter by omitting the details of the
unfortunate trade in copper and instead of these he added a plea for justice to
be bestowed on Jan Hendricksen who had apparently moved from Tranquebar to
Banten. One feels tempted to suppose that Hendricksen was a Dutchman in Danish
service and wrote the translation himself.
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