The Rise and Fall of Coenraet Fredrik Hofman: A Tale of Ambition and Corruption in the VOC

 

Coenraet Fredrik Hofman’s career serves as a stark reminder of the precariousness of power and the consequences of unchecked ambition. His journey from a humble sailor to the Commander of the West Coast of Sumatra is marked by a remarkable rise within the ranks of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), followed by a swift and humiliating downfall due to a devastating corruption scandal.

Hofman’s story begins in the 1680s when he arrived in Batavia, the heart of the VOC’s operations in the East Indies, aboard the ship Oosterlandt. Starting as a second-class sailor with a modest salary of 10 rijksdaalder per month, Hofman’s proficiency in writing and arithmetic soon caught the attention of his superiors. His first posting was at the Padang Fortress on the West Coast of Sumatra, where he was appointed as a clerk.

His talents did not go unnoticed. In 1693, Hofman was promoted to assistant by the Commander of Padang Fortress, Abraham Boudens, with a salary of 24 rijksdaalder. However, the VOC’s headquarters in Batavia viewed this promotion as excessive, both in terms of rank and salary, leading to his temporary demotion. Nonetheless, Hofman’s perseverance paid off, and by 1695, he was reassigned as an assistant in Ambon, followed by postings in Ternate and Batavia, where he steadily rose through the ranks.

By 1708, Hofman had gained enough prominence to be appointed the first administrator of the VOC’s iron warehouse in Batavia. This success paved the way for his appointment as Commander of the West Coast of Sumatra in 1710, with the prestigious rank of opperkoopman, or chief merchant. It was a significant achievement—he had risen to the highest level within the VOC’s bureaucracy, returning to Padang with the same dignity and authority that had eluded him as a lowly sailor 24 years earlier.

During his time in Sumatra, Hofman also took on a scholarly endeavor. In 1715, he began compiling an ethnographic work titled Opkomst der Padangnesen en Derzelver Regeringen (“The Rise of the Padangnese and Their Governments”). Drawing on local Malay memoirs and oral traditions, Hofman chronicled the history of the Minangkabau kingdom and the Nagari Padang, its customs, and its unique matriarchal system. His work was completed in 1717, and Hofman sent a copy to Batavia, where it received a positive response from the VOC authorities.

At the time, it seemed that Hofman’s career was on a promising trajectory. His scholarly contributions reflected well on his legacy, and his administrative acumen was recognized by his superiors.

However, just as Hofman seemed poised for greater success, his career would take a dark turn. By 1717, allegations of corruption began to surface. The central government of the VOC had already suspected mismanagement, prompting an investigation. Schepmoes, a former Governor-General, was dispatched to Sumatra to uncover the truth. His findings were damning.

It was revealed that Hofman and several of his subordinates had been embezzling funds from the VOC. The company’s treasury had been misused for personal purchases, including textiles, which Schepmoes discovered in Hofman’s official residence at the Padang Fortress. Additionally, substantial unreported sums from land sales were found, further compounding the financial misconduct.

The scale of the corruption was staggering. Hofman had conspired with his deputies, such as Jongtijs and Draijpon, who were found to possess 18,000 rijksdaalder from the VOC’s goods fund. Other officials, including Vlasvat and van Santen, admitted to acting on Hofman’s orders. Even Hofman’s wife was implicated, accused of bribing traders for personal gain through the smuggling of slaves.

The VOC’s response was swift and severe. Hofman, along with the other accused officials, was arrested and transported to Batavia. Their case was brought before the Raad van Justitie (Council of Justice), which began its deliberations in 1718.

On September 9, 1719, the Raad van Justitie issued its verdict: Hofman was dismissed from his position and banned from ever serving the VOC again. His property was confiscated, and he was publicly flogged and shackled. He was also sentenced to 15 years of forced labor, to be carried out without pay. His punishment would be served at Tanjung Harapan, a place that symbolized the lowest point of his once-promising career.

Despite Hofman’s advanced age—he was over 50 when the sentence was handed down—he appealed the decision. However, his request for a review was rejected, and the sentence was carried out as ordered. Hofman’s fall from grace was complete.

Hofman’s story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of corruption and the fragility of power. His remarkable rise through the ranks of the VOC was matched only by the speed with which his career crumbled. What began as a promising career in the service of the Dutch East India Company ended in disgrace, with Hofman condemned to a life of hard labor.

His legacy, however, is not without nuance. His ethnographic work remains a significant contribution to the understanding of the Minangkabau culture and the West Coast of Sumatra. Yet, the corruption scandal that marred the latter years of his life overshadows this scholarly achievement.

Hofman’s story is a reminder of the complex interplay between ambition, authority, and integrity. It serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of fate and the harsh consequences of moral failings, even for those who once held the highest positions of power.