Introduction

Abstract

Considering that the Dutch East India Company through a number of years undoubtedly was the greatest trading company of the world, it is surprising that its commercial history has never been written. Its activities have been considered from many different angles: political, organisatory, financial, naval, military, colonial, religious, as well as from the point of view of the history of science. The economic, let alone the business economic aspect, has only been commented on in passing, — and still commerce was the basis of the Company. Its founders were merchants, and the commercial character never passed off, the dividends were the final aim of its activities.¹ The studies submitted here are intended to shed some light on this extensive terra incognita. The investigations have been made on the general assumption that at the appraisal of a commercial concern it must be considered as a whole and from a central point of view.² As starting-point of the description the Company’s office in the Netherlands has been chosen, which was the seat of the Court of Directors, the so-called Heeren XVII. If one concentrates upon the records of the Heeren XVII, it is evident that the general view is realistic and therefore necessary when attempting an account of the commercial policy of the management.