XXVIII. J.E. Huydecoper van Maarseveen to Swellengrebel,
Amsterdam, 11.4.1784
Hon. Sir, I am grateful for your letter of the 8th instant. I agree that the uncertainty about the future development of the country precludes the possibility of giving many special instructions as to its future government. The chief shareholders, however, proposed at the last meeting of the XVII, and a resolution was passed, which I enclose, out of which was formulated a draft instruction for the Governor in general terms. We were told that the reports of the wonderful fertility of the country and large surpluses of grain, etc., are false. But we are open to conviction. Perhaps you could let us have reports from an entirely disinterested source. If we knew what is really happening in the colony, in what way the Governor and the officials behave, we would be able to rectify abuses.
Though I have got to know something of the newly appointed Governor in his present capacity, I have no idea what his attitudes will be, but I shall try to talk to him before his departure. With regard to his income you will observe that we are in agreement with your views. We have been told that his fixed yearly salary will amount to Rds. 5 000 a year. His chief additional emoluments will come from the Rds. 10 on the sale of each leaguer of wine, of which he will receive two-thirds, giving an income of circa f12 to 14 000 a year. What benefits accrue from paying lower prices for his provisions from Company's stores and Company's suppliers, and from making use of the Company's farms are incalculable.
A proposal was made to abolish the emoluments that accumulate from the sale of wine by increasing the salary of the Governor, but it was considered too dangerous because of possible repercussions on salaries of all other officials throughout the Company's possessions.
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