Memoir of Hendrick Becker, Governor and Director of Ceylon, for his Successor, Isaac Augustyn Rumpf, 1716

Colombo: Government Printer, Ceylon, 1914. Very good condition. Hendrick Becker (1661 - 1722) was Governor of Ceylon from 1707 to 1716, during which time the profits of the Dutch East Indies Company in Ceylon improved significantly. With much information on the "commandements" or fortified cities of Ceylon (present day Sri Lanka), including Galle, and Colombo, key cities for Dutch East Indies trade in spices, gems and tea. Under the section pertaining to Colombo, Becker describes the "chief reforms and improvements introduced during my rule" including the Leper Hospital at Hendella. Also detailed descriptions of various products including arecanuts (betel nuts), cotton goods, salt, timber, elephants, slaves and especially cinnamon. Slim 8vo, v, 57pp. Blue paper wrappers, title in black at front cover, sml lib stamp to front cover.