The Ambon Massacre: A Dark Chapter in Colonial History


 

The early 17th century marked a period of intense competition and conflict between European powers vying for control over the lucrative spice trade in the Maluku Islands. Among these power struggles, the Ambon Massacre of 1623 stands out as a dark and controversial chapter that had lasting implications for Dutch-English relations.

On February 23, 1623, Shichizō, a Japanese mercenary, was arrested by the Dutch East India Company (VOC) in Ambon. His curiosity about the fortifications and key points within Fort Victoria aroused suspicion. Governor Herman van Speult, overseeing the fort, ordered an interrogation. Initially denying any wrongdoing, Shichizō eventually confessed under the extreme pressure of torture, revealing names of others allegedly involved in a conspiracy against the Dutch.

The torture methods were brutal. Shichizō’s head was repeatedly doused with water, causing him to choke as water flooded his mouth and nasal passages. This method, known today as waterboarding, was intended to break his spirit and force a confession. His suffering was compounded by the relentless tightening of a cloth over his head and the binding of his limbs.

Isaaq de Bruyn, a tax lawyer, led the investigation that implicated ten more Japanese mercenaries. Shichizō also named Abel Price as a key intermediary between the Japanese and the English conspirators. What began as a minor case quickly escalated, leading to the arrest and torture of more suspects.

De Bruyn’s investigation revealed that the conspirators planned to seize Fort Victoria, a crucial spice depot. This alleged plot involved Gabriel Towerson, a captain working for the English East India Company (EIC). Under further torture, Towerson and other English traders were forced to confess their involvement, reinforcing the VOC’s accusations.

The Ambon Massacre was rooted in the broader struggle for control over the spice trade in the Maluku Islands. Since the 16th century, the Portuguese had dominated this trade, building forts and establishing strong ties with local rulers. However, the arrival of the Dutch and the English in the region changed the geopolitical landscape.

Ambon, with its strategic location and abundant spices, became the focal point of the rivalry between the VOC and the EIC. The two companies initially cooperated to expel the Portuguese but soon turned against each other. Their competition intensified, leading to conflicts across the region, including the battle for Tidore Island, where they supported different claimants to the throne.

By 1622, rumors of an EIC plan to attack the VOC fort in Victoria heightened tensions. The VOC accused the EIC of conspiring with locals to overthrow their control. Shichizō’s confession triggered further investigations and the arrest of more suspects. On February 11, 1623, the VOC captured ten Englishmen, ten Japanese mercenaries, and one Portuguese individual, accusing them of plotting to attack Fort Victoria.

The prisoners were subjected to severe torture, including waterboarding, beatings, and burning with candles. Under this pressure, several confessed to being part of the conspiracy. These confessions were used to justify the VOC’s actions, leading to the execution of the prisoners on March 8, 1623.

The execution of EIC employees in Ambon sparked outrage in England. When news of the massacre reached London in May 1624, it incited anger among EIC leaders and King James I, who condemned the Dutch actions. The EIC published a pamphlet titled A True Relation of the Unjust, Cruell, and Barbarous Proceedings Against the English at Amboyna in the East-Indies, based on survivors’ testimonies, to expose the VOC’s brutality.

The Dutch responded with their own pamphlet, defending their actions and rejecting the English accusations. Despite these efforts, the massacre deepened the distrust and hostility between the two nations, leading to prolonged tensions.

The Ambon Massacre remains a contentious episode in colonial history. It highlights the extreme measures taken by the VOC to maintain control over the spice trade and the resulting fallout that strained Dutch-English relations for decades. This event continues to be debated by historians, who seek to unravel the truth behind the allegations and the motivations driving the actions of the Dutch in Ambon.

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