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A ‘Mandarin’ from Vlissingen in Lhasa and Peking: The Hidden Life of Samuel van de Putte (1690–1745)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 April 2010

Frank Lequin
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Extract

There is a certain irony in including a picture of an intriguing but officially respected ‘black sheep’ (in terms of the VOC monopoly game) in a series of articles on more or less purely VOC personalities and VOC matters. As we shall see, the vermaarde reijsiger Samuel van. de Putte, who never was a Compagnies dienaar, travelled widely, mainly over land, in (Central) Asia occasionally arriving in and leaving VOC territory under the mighty auspices of official Company's backing, despite the formal regulation of the VOC that no Dutchman was allowed to set out for the East if he was not under contract of the Company.

Type
Articles
Information
Itinerario , Volume 9 , Issue 2 , July 1985 , pp. 73 - 91
Copyright
Copyright © Research Institute for History, Leiden University 1985

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References

Notes

1. My sincere thanks are due to: The Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia, Jakarta; Drs. Leonard Blussé, Leiden, for a reference in VOC 347; Prof. C.R. Boxer, Little Gaddesden (England) for inspiring me to do an English article on Van de Putte; The Koninklijk Aardrijkskundig Genootschap, Amsterdam; Drs. Albert Meijer, Keeper of the MSS-department Zeeuwse Bibliotheek, Middelburg, for allowing me to publish the Van de Putte letter-fragment; Drs. I.L. Szénássy, Director of the Zeeuws Museum, Middelburg for allowing to publish the photo of Van de Putte's inkpot.

In collaboration with Drs. Meijer, a facsimile-edition of the surviving Van de Putte-papers at the Zeeuwse Bibliotheek, and a full annotated edition of the relevant primary sources is being planned.

This is the first English article of any detail in English.

2. Lequin, F.,Het personeel van de VOC in Azië in de achttiende eeuw, meer in het bijzonder in de vestiging Bengalen (Leiden 1982), 43 & 242. I tried to find Van de Putte in the VOC-personnel administration, but indeed he was never registered as a servant. See F. Lequin, Het Personeel for detailed information on the personneladministration and the personnel as such.Google Scholar

3. Veth, P.J., Ontdekkers en Onderzoekers (Leiden 1884)Google Scholar, chapter II. His 1877-article “De Nederlandsche Reiziger Samuel van de Putte,” Tijdschrift van het Aardrijkskundig Genootschap II (1877) 5–19Google Scholar, is a more detailed version of the 1884 chapter, containing in essence the same information on Van de Putte.

4. 29 vols. made at the instigation of the former Rijksarchivaris Prof. M.A.P. Meilink-Roelofsz.

5. “…omme hier mede te praevenieeren, alle gelegentheyt en aanleyding tot frauduleuse geschriften, die in later tyd op zyn Ed: Name konden uytkomen” (Bataviase Nouvelles, 1745, no. 40).

6. Written communication by the Vlissingen Gemeentearchief. See the remarkable story “De lange weg naar Veere” by Hotz, F.B. on that event in his Duistere Jaren (Amsterdam 1983), pp. 84–113.Google Scholar

7. Here are surveyed all the relevant primary sources known to us up till now:

I. Unpublished

a. Algemeen Rijksarchief, The Hague, Eerste Afdeling.

b. VOC Archives:

VOC 326, Brief van Heren XVII aan GG & Raden, 16.10.1724.

VOC 347, Register op de Brieven (op zaken) naar Azië van Heren XVII, 1707–1732.

VOC 775, Resolutie GG & Raden, 28.9.1745, p. 679.

VOC 978, Bataviaas Uitgaand Briefboek, p. 303.

VOC 2024, Missive Directuer en Raad van Bengalen aan GG & Raden, 7.11.1725, ff. 37r37v.

VOC 2024, Missive Gouverneur en Raad van Coromandel aan GG & Raden, 27.10.1725, ff. 178r-179v.

VOC 2052, Missive van Directeur en Raad van Bengalen aan GG & Raden, 21.3.1726, p. 36.

VOC 2556, Missive Directeur en Raad van Bengalen aan GG & Raden, 17.12.1742, f. 179v.

VOC 2556, Appendix bij vorige; extract from letter by Van de Putte to Sichterman, dd. Patna 19.7.1742; not Van de Putte's own handwriting; ff. 572r-573r. Previously known by Veth, but he quotes from it in a poor transcription.

VOC 2572, The same, but a different copy, pp. 1001–1003. Not mentioned by Veth.

c.Archief Hoge Regering te Batavia:

HR 505, Verbal drawn from a letter from GG & Raden to Gouverneur & Raad at Colombo, 20.7.1725, p. 422.

d. Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia, Jakarta:

Dagregister, dd. 27.9.1745 & 29.9.1745.

e. Zeeuws Bibliotheek, Middelburg / Collectie Zeeuwsch Genootschap der Wetenschappen:

MSS nr 472, Misc. mss.

MSS nr 3388, Misc. mss. connected with Van de Putte.

MSS nr 3531, The surviving maps, sketches and notes from the Van de Putte papers (containing the only original Van de Putte letter-fragment).

II. Published

f. The Bataviase Nouvelles, Batavia 1745, Nr. 40, 5.10.1745.

g. Della Penna di Billi, Breve Notizia del regno del Thibet,” Nouveau Journal Asiatique, 14, (1834), 191–192.Google Scholar

h. Du Halde, J.B.,Description géographique, historique, chronologique … de la Chine (Paris, 1735), vol. 4, 459–472.Google Scholar

i. Gaubil, A.,Correspondence de Peking (Genève, 1979), nrs. 145 & 260.Google Scholar

j. Generale Missiven van de VȩC VII, (The Hague, 1970), 676–677.Google Scholar

k. Heyman, J.W., Reizen door Europa, Klein-Azië …door J.A. van Egmond van der Nyenborg en J. Heyman, II, (Leiden, 1758), 396.Google Scholar

8. Van der Aa, Biografisch Woordenboek & Nieuw Nederlandsch Biografisch Woordenboek, II.

9. van Woelderen, C.A., “Lijst van Baljuws, Burgemeesters, Schepenen…van Vlissingen,” Jaarboek Centraal Bureau voor Cenealogie (1948).Google Scholar

10. Album Studiosorum Academiae Lugduno Batavorum, MDLXXV-MDCCCLXXV (The Hague, 1875), column 807: “Samuel van de Putten Dordracenus. 20, J.”. Although his age and birthplace are not correct, this is no doubt our man, as the Album contains lots of mistakes of this kind.

11. Molhuysen, P.C.,Bronnen tot de geschiedenis der Leidsche Universiteit, IV, (The Hague, 1920), 262Google Scholar. A copy of his doctoral dissertation is in Leiden University Library, classmark 237 B 10/2.

12. There are several references to this ‘Journaal’ on scraps of paper with his notes, Coll. Zeeuwsch Genootschap 3531.

13. His testament, probably made at Batavia, has not yet been traced. See note 7.

14. C.A. van Woelderen, “Lijst van Baljuws,” nrs 316 & 583.

15. This is nr. 40 of the year 1745. To my knowledge, the only copy in the world of this particular number is in the Zeeuwsch Genootschap collection. It was the only short-lived ‘newspaper’ ever published during the existence of the VOC 1602–1795.

16. Veth, “Nederlandsche Reiziger,” 7. I have been unable to trace this in the Vlissingen archives.

17. Heyman, , “Reizen door Europa”, II, p. 396: “…hebbende ik hem, na een teder afscheidt, met verscheide Heeren zo van onze als de Engelsche Natie meer dan een half uur verre uitgeleide gedaan;” Page 396, Vol. II, is the only reference in the two volume work.Google Scholar

18. Generale Missiven, VII, 676–677.

19. VOC 326. VOC 347 (Index on matters to the Letters of Heren XVII to Asia) has a formal heading under “Reijsigers,” under which only Van de Putte is being registered. He must have had a unique position even in the administration of the VOC.

20. VOC 326, “alle gemak en beleeftheijt.”

21. For a general and short article on the Jesuits in Peking, see Boxer, C.R., “Jesuits at the court of Peking, 1601–1775,” History Today, VII, nr 9 (1957), 580–589.Google Scholar

22. Gaubil, Correspondence, letters 145 (Peking, 23.7.1734) & 261 (Peking 13.8.1752).

23. VOC 2024, ff. 178r–179v.

24. Zeeuwse Bibliotheek, MSS nr 3531. This text fragment is mentioned by Veth, “Nederlandsche Reiziger,” 7, although he supposes the letter was never sent. This supposition is clear as Veth did not know about Van de Putte's visits to the Coromandel Coast.

25. Zeeuwse Bibliotheek, MSS nr.3388, manuscript by Veth himself, stating “Concept of a letter from Cochin to certain count at Madras.” The first word of the fragment is the French word ‘Conte,’ not ‘Comte,’ meaning in a different spelling (‘Compte’), account, which makes more sense in the context.

26. VOC 2024, ff. 37r–37v.

27. VOC 2052, p. 36. The Botaviase Nouvelles mention the fact that Van de Putte visited Delhi twice.

28. Veth, “Nederlandsche Reiziger”, p. 7.

29. The following VOC-nrs (‘Overgekomen Brieven en Papieren uit Malabar’) were examined in this respect: 2010, 2011, 2027, 2033, 2047, 2048, covering the years 1724–1725. No references in these volumes are made to the presence of Van de Putte on the Malabar Coast. The story about the King of Cochin was eargerly copied by Stapel.

30. The following ‘Overgekomen Brieven en Papieren’ from Ceylon covering the year 1726 were scrutinized: VOC 2045, 2053, 2067.

31. HR 505 & VOC 978, however concern a letter from GG & Raden at Batavia 20.7.1725 to Gouverneur & Raad of Ceylon, ordering polite treatment of Van de Putte in case he might turn up in Ceylon.

32. See F. Lequin, Het Personeel, 516, 559.

33. VOC 2556, ff. 572r–573r; this text (and not the other copy of the same text in VOC 2572, pp. 1001–1003) was used and quoted by Veth (in his 1877 & 1884 articles).

34. See notes 7 and 22.

35. This seems also to be proved by the fact that on one of Van de Putte's surviving map sketches (Zeeuwse Bibliotheek, MSS nr 3531) Tibetan words are written.

36. Penna, Della, “Breve Notizia,” pp. 191–192Google Scholar, calling Van de Putte “Samuele Van der, Olandese, nativo di Flescingh della provincia di Zelanda”.

37. VOC 2556, f. 179v.

38. VOC 2590, f. 323r; I was unable to trace the date of his departure from Bengal.

39. According to an inventory note in the “Catalogue of some foreign things, being in a chest marked PWL” (Zeeuwse Bibliotheek, MSS nr 3388); written communication by Drs. Albert Meijer.

40. VOC 2637, f. 991v. Date of departure from Malacca not traceable.

41. Lammens left Zeeland aboard the VOC-ship Adrichem (Kamer Zeeland) on 28.3.1736 and arrived at Batavia after a very quick voyage on 27.9.1736. He returned, a month after the death of Van de Putte, leaving Batavia 25.10.1745, arriving at Rammekens, Zeeland 25.7.1746 (VOC 12.937, ff. 1, 264).

42. I.e. “a distinguished civil servant.”

43. In conformity with the ‘Resolutie’ of GG & Raden of 28.9.1745 (VOC 775, p. 679).

44. Nederlandsch-lndisch Plakaatboek, V, (Batavia/The Hague, 1888), 88–96: “Regulations on the burials at Batavia,” 23/27.8.1743.Google Scholar

45. In the two Gaubil letters (note 22).

46. By Della Penna di Billi (note 36).

47. By D'Israeli, I., Curiosities of literature (London, 1866), 21.Google Scholar

48. VOC 2556, ff. 572r–573r.

49. Bataviase Nouvelles.

50. De Navorscher, 1855, 38.

51. Van der Aa, Biografisch Woordenboek.

52. Billi, Della Penna di, “Breve Notizia,” p. 191.Google Scholar

53. Yule, H., “Cathay and the Way Thither,” Hakluyt Society, Series II, Vol. XXXIII, (London, 1913, p. 249; first impression in 1866.Google Scholar

54. D'Israeli, , Curiosities, p.21.Google Scholar

55. Bogle, G., Narratives of the Mission of George Bogle to Tibet… (London, 1876), LXII, LXIII.Google Scholar

56. Ganzenmüller, K., Tibet nach den Resultaten geographiser Forschungen früherer und neuester Zeit (Leipzig, 1877), 5.Google Scholar

57. Veth, “Nederlandsche Reiziger” and Ontdekkers en Onderzoekers; Stapel, F.W., “Samuel van de Putte, een Nederlandsche voorloper van Sven Hedin,” Cultureel Indië, V, (1943).Google Scholar

58. Waddell, L.A., Lhasa and its mysteries (London, 1905), 11.Google Scholar

59. Landon, P., Lhasa. An account of the country and people of central Tibet, I, (London 1905), 9–10.Google Scholar

60. Hedin, S., Transhimalaja. Entdeckungen und Abenteuer in Tibet, III (Leipzig, 1922), 118. I looked in vain for Van de Putte in Hedin's other studies and travel accounts.Google Scholar

61. Duyvendak, J.J.L., “Les études hollando-chinoises au XVIIe et au XVIIIe siècle,” Quatre Esquisses détachées relatives aux Etudes Orientales à Leiden (Leiden, 1931), 21–44.Google Scholar

62. Duyvendak, J.J.L., De grote Chinese Muur (Leiden, 1953), 5–6. Duyvendak follows the poor transcription of the text quoted by Veth.Google Scholar

63. Richardson, H.E., Tibet and its History (London, 1962), 63.Google Scholar

64. The recent brilliant study by Chaudhuri, K.N. Trade and Civilisation in the Indian Ocean. An Economic History from the Rise of Islam to 1750 (Cambridge, 1985) deals in detail with the importance of the caravan routes (p. 168 has a map with the main caravan routes in Asia, 618–1750).Google Scholar

65. Ganzenmüller, K., Tibet, 3–4; C. Wessels, The Early Jesuit Travellers in Central Asia 1603–1721 (The Hague, 1924), Chapter VI.Google Scholar

66. Wessels, C., Early Jesuit, Chapter VIIGoogle Scholar; Ganzenmüller, K., Tibet, p. 4.Google Scholar

67. Duhalde, J.B., Description, the map of Tibet is in Vol. 4, between pp. 458 & 459.Google Scholar

68. In his 1877-article; his illustrations (map sketches) 1–5 are the Tibet-maps. Nr 1 was destroyed in 1940.

69. A facsimile-edition of all the Van de Putte maps and sketches is being planned. See note 1.

70. In the Zeeuws Museum, Middelburg, nr ZG/G 2137. It was common in those days in China to prepare the ink directly before using it.

71. Trevor-Roper, H., Hermit of Peking. The Hidden Life of Sir Edmund Backhouse (Harmondsworth, 1978).Google Scholar

72. Wessels, C., Early Jesuit, 164. This quotation refers to the trip by Grueber and D'Orville.Google Scholar

73. No portrait of Van de Putte could be found.