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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