from Gutchi to Koenad (as found on map 3). In this correspondence, Gutchi
threatens Koenad to reveal some of his 'misconduct'. Or, as Gutchi puts it, "the
hunter will become the hunted, the hunted the hunter".60
The Hoge Regering reacts furiously. In their letter of the 2nd of October 1737
to Gamron they write that they will "finally curb" the ongoing fight between
Koenad and Gutchi "in a most sensitive way". First, Gutchi has to stop his
direct correspondence since he has to pay 'honour and respect' to Koenad and is
never allowed to bypass Gamron. From that moment on - if necessary - Gutchi
can only inform the Hoge Regering separately if his correspondence is sent
under cachet volant (loose seal) via Gamron. In this way, the gentlemen argue,
Koenad can get informed on the matter Gutchi writes on, but he cannot modify
the information. After that the Hoge Regering criticizes the other unwanted
information flow, the private correspondence:
"To our extreme annoyance, it has appeared to us, that governor Koenad and
resident Gutchi did not refrain from attacking each other in their private
correspondence. Undoubtedly this will cause the total ruin of them both.
For if one of them hopes to steal the other's livelihood and push him towards
perdition, under the assumption that he will get away unscathed, the attempt
will only result in his own defeat."61
Should Koenad or Gutchi continue any questionable activities, the gentlemen
carry on, both will be dismissed and sent to Batavia "with neither honour nor
salary". With this the case was closed. Gutchi keeps sending documents to
Batavia, but under cachet volant and in such a way that - according to Gutchi
- "nothing can be obscured".62 It does not help him, however, because he is
taken to Batavia in 1738 to account for the fraud case. Since he had to go there
via Gamron, the Hoge Regering felt obliged to order Koenad "to refrain from
the tiniest of vengeful insults". As in a twist of fate, however, the Hoge Regering
removes Koenad from the Persian outpost in September 1740. In the same year,
Gutchi pays 86.912:10:- to the Company and is declared 'employable' again.
On his request he returns to Persia as director. He thereby succeeds his big rival,
undoubtedly to his own satisfaction.63
NICO VRIEND AN UNBELIEVABLE AMOUNT OF PAPER: THE INFORMATION SYSTEM AND NETWORK OF
THE DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY
inv. number 2368, fol. 3777-3778. Lists of documents sent from Bassoura to the Heeren XVII, 31 March
1736. NA, VOC, inv. number 2333, fol. 3917-3918. Lists of documents sent from Gamron to the Hoge
Regering, 4 April 1737. NA, VOC, inv. number 2417, fol. 3497-3512.
60 Private letter from Gutchi to Koenad, 14 September 1736. NA, VOC, inv. nr. 2417, fol. 3469-3476, quota
tion on fol. 3474. The three private letters between Bassoura and Gamron on map 3 are all found in the
package of letters sent from Gamron to Batavia on 10 December 1736. NA, VOC, inv. numbers 2416-2417.
The private correspondence between Bassoura and Constantinople is exchanged in April 1735 between
George Gutchi and Cornelis Calkoen, the ambassador of the Dutch Republic. In this, the borders between
'private' and 'official' correspondence are vague. NA, VOC, inv. numbers 2333 and 2390.
61 Letter from the Hoge Regering to Persia, 2 October 1737. ANRI, HR, Batavia's outgoing letters, inv. number
3641, fol. 727-731. See also: Resolution Hoge Regering, 12 September 1737. ANRI, HR, inv. number 980,
fol. 1093-1094.
62 Secret letter from Gutchi to the Hoge Regering, including answers to his interrogation, 1 November 1737.
NA, VOC, Letters and papers from the trading posts, inv. number 2448, fol. 1156.
63 Gutchi died in 1742. Generale missiven, 31 January 1739, 10 January 1741 and 5 December 1742. Included
in: Van Goor, Generale Missiven, 175-254, 496-597, and 857-996. Report of the Haagse Besogne Haagse
Verbaal23 October 1742 (Persia). NA, VOC, inv. number 4472, fol. 995. Secret letter of the Hoge
Regering to Carel Koenad, 15 October 1738. ANRI, HR, Batavia's outgoing letters, inv. number 3642,
fol. 870-874.
89