Dissertation_A Bick_May 25 - DataSpace at Princeton University

of a pivotal moment in the history of Dutch Brazil and offers insight into the more general
challenges the Dutch Republic faced in its efforts to govern a land colony.
The chapter begins by reviewing the company's powers to appoint colonial officials and
by examining the various proposals to reform the structure of the Hoge ende Secrete Raad. The
next section establishes the list of candidates for the office of President and explores some of the
reasons that each refused to serve, focusing especially on the figure of Alexander van der
Capellen. The following section examines the selection of the four subordinate councilors, and in
particular the company directors' efforts to ensure greater participation by individuals with
practical experience in trade. The last section reconstructs the career of Wolter van
Schonenborch, the individual who was ultimately chosen to serve as President, and explores
some of the rituals associated with his selection. A conclusion examines the limitations of this
compromise for the colony's future and offers a re-assessment of the role of the nobility in Dutch
expansion overseas.
2. Institutional Reform and the New Council
As with all matters concerning senior personnel in the WIC's employment, the process to replace
Johan Maurits was the responsibility of the Heren XIX, rather than of any of the company's
individual chambers or the States General. Article 2 of the WIC charter entrusted the company
with responsibility for governing the conquests and settlements it established overseas. It was
given the power
in our [the States General's] name and authority, within the limits herein set forth [...] to make
contracts, leagues and alliances with the princes and natives of the countries therein comprised, to
build any fortresses and strongholds there, and to appoint, transfer, discharge, and replace
governors, troops, and officers of justice, for the preservation of the places, the maintenance of
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