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Map of Berbice with proposals for new fortifications

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Map of Berbice with proposals for new fortifications

de Veije, François Samuel / Aelmans, Pieter

Title Leupe: Kaarte van de Geoctroyeerde Colonie de Berbice, bestaande in Rio Berbice en Rio Canje, gelegen in Zuid America in het land van Guyana, met derselver plantagien enz.

This large map by François Samuel de Veije and army engineer Lieutenant Pieter Aelmans probably dates from shortly before the departure of the States troops who returned to the Republic at the end of October 1764.

In the extensive explanation, De Veije refers to his various memorandums from April and May of that year where he had reported on the provisional fortifications meanwhile set up at Wikki Creek (A), on the plantation Nieuw-Savonette (B), on the Wiruni near the church (C), on the plantation Bearné on the Canje River (D) and near to the devastated main settlement of Nieuw-Amsterdam (E).

Pending the completion of his new projected main fort (G), the latter could serve as a garrison town for the troops stationed in Berbice, alongside Fort Nassau (F) that was to be rebuilt and would remain vital to protecting the land link with the upper reaches of the Canje and Surinam Rivers.

That also required the new post (I) on the Canje whilst on the western bank of the Berbice, opposite the planned main fort, another first-alert post (H) was required.

Though initially well-received, De Veije’s proposals were ultimately rejected by the Society’s directorate, notably in conjunction with the high costs.

Two varieties are available: 1571A-B.

North is upper right.

Scale-bar of 2800 Rhineland rods of a two-hours journey = [approximately 1 : 77,000].

Please contact Nationaal Archief for reuse and copyrights.

Sources and literature

Heijer, H. den, Grote Atlas van de West-Indische Compagnie = Comprehensive Atlas of the Dutch West India Company, II, de nieuwe WIC 1674-1791 = the new WIC 1674-1791 (2012)