Dissertation_A Bick_May 25 - DataSpace at Princeton University

Amsterdam or Middelburg. 29 In this way Usselincx imagined a partially aristocratic, partially
elected structure, with pride of place reserved for Maurits of Nassau and the possibility open for
foreign princes—the group best able to invest the requisite sum—to purchase an important office
and thereby contribute to the Protestant cause and the war against Spain. 30
Usselincx spelled out the logic for his proposal in a number of subsequent letters to the
States General, composed after it had become clear that his idea faced considerable opposition. 31
In his view, the responsibility for trade and that for war and colonial administration should never
be vested in the same institution; nor should social groups be asked to perform functions for
which they were not qualified. His draft proposed that the company’s directors be selected by the
chief investors, rather than city or provincial magistrates, as Van Oldenbarnavelt had advocated,
since no one could know a merchant's business better than other merchants. 32 To permit
magistrates to interfere in trade on a daily business would undermine the company’s profitability
and discourage investors. Likewise, merchants should be relieved from responsibility for tasks
that fell outside their sphere of competence. It was both inappropriate and dangerous to involve
merchants—whom he characterized as “tak[ing] profit as their North Star and desire as their
29 The Prince of Orange's role in the Raedt van Indien is only implicit in Usselincx draft charter, but is stated clearly
in his subsequent clarifications between 1619-1622. See, for example, NA 1.01.05 inv.nr. 9409, Corte aenwysinge
van de voor meeste verschillen tusschen t' Concept van Octroy op Westindien dat by de ho: mo: heeren, Myn heeren
de Staten Generael inde Maent van februario anno 1619 aende respective provincien is gesonden, ende tgene
daerna by de Gecommitteerde wt de groote zee steden van hollandt ende Westvrieslandt is beraemt..., April 13,
1620.
30 The resolutions of the States General reveal a number of inquiries that were transmitted via Dutch diplomats
serving in Geneva, Heidelberg, and Paris. See for example Brederode's letters in the Resolutien der Staten Generael,
April 30, 1620 and September 28, 1621. The most important foreign investor in the Amsterdam chamber of the
company was the Prince of Anhalt, who subscribed 36,000 guilders via his agent, Adolf van Borstel (NA 1.05.01.01
inv.nr. 18). See also the British National Archives in Kew, SP 84/104, fol. 217. Cort Verhael van de Redenen ende
oorsaecken waerom dat over den Handel van de Westindien benevens de Cameren can de Bewindhebberen eenen
Raedt van Indien behoort te wesen, Waerom dat aen naburighe vorsten ende Republicquen die hier met groote
sommen incomen, moet toe gelaten worden eenen Raetheer te moghen stellen.
31 NA 1.01.05 inv.nr. 9409.
32 Ibid. Corte aenwysinge van de voor meeste verschillen tusschen t' Concept van Octroy op Westindien dat by de
ho: mo: heeren, Myn heeren de Staten Generael inde Maent van februario anno 1619 aende respectiv provincien is
gesonden, ende tgene daerna by de Gecommitteerde wt de groote zee steden van hollandt ende Westvrieslandt is
beraemt, April 13, 1620.
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