The Journal of Negro History, Volume 4, 1919Various
History
The Journal of Negro History, Volume 4, 1919
Various
African Americans -- Periodicals
The Dutch ignored Downing's demands, even though on June 6, 1662, he
reminded them of their unjust actions on the Gold Coast.[42] In all
probability they were trusting to obviate all difficulties in the
commercial treaty then being negotiated at London. In August, a new
complaint was made to the States General[43] concerning the seizure of
the English ship, "Content," off the Cape Verde Islands.[44] Shortly
thereafter, the States General declared with respect to the English
ship, "Daniel," seized in 1661, that it was a gross misrepresentation
for the owner to maintain that the master and crew of the ship were
English. Furthermore, the Dutch advanced proof that the ship had been
fitted out with a cargo in Amsterdam, and had afterwards attempted to
pass as an English ship, in order to escape being seized as an
interloper by the West India Company.[45]
Further consideration regarding these seizures was postponed
indefinitely by the 15th article of the commercial treaty entered into
between the United Provinces and England in September, 1662.[46] In
accordance with its provisions the ships which the Dutch had seized on
the African coast were included in the lists of damages which the
English submitted against the United Provinces. Thereafter the ships
formed no important part in the negotiations between the two nations.
Thus far the Company of Royal Adventurers which had sent out the
expedition under Captain Robert Holmes had not been more active on the
Gold Coast than numerous private traders of England. The seizure of
ships by the Dutch had been a matter of much apprehension to all the
traders on the coast, but from now on it mainly concerned the Royal
Adventurers. The company was anxious to establish new forts and
factories in Africa in order to build up a lucrative trade. Its agents
therefore began to erect a lodge at Tacorary, a village not far from
Cape Corse. The Dutch, although they had not succeeded in recovering
Cape Corse from the natives, considered that the fort and the
surrounding territory belonged to them. On May 24, 1662, they bade the
English to desist from further invasion of their rights at Tacorary or
any other place under Dutch obedience.[47] The English, however,
disregarded the Dutch protest and notwithstanding their opposition the
factory was completed.[48] In less than a month from this time the
natives drove the Dutch out of their factory in Comany.[49] Thereupon
the Dutch determined to continue even more vigorously their policy of
blockading the whole coast and, by cutting off the trade of the
natives with the English, to force the Negroes into subjection and to
recover Comany and the fort at Cape Corse.
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