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Quint Ondaatje

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A physionotrace by Gilles-Louis Chrétien of Quint Ondaatje between 1793-1798

Pieter Philips Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje (born in Colombo on 18 June 1758 – died in Batavia, 30 April 1818) was a illustrious Dutch patriot and an influential revolutionary politician. Ondaatje is regarded as a pioneer of Dutch democracy.[1][2] He allied himself with Rhinegrave von Salm,[3] entrusted with the defence Holland and Utrecht. From 1787 he lived as refugee in Belgium and French Flanders. From 1795 served the Batavian Republic and in 1806 the Kingdom of Holland. Up to the Hundred Days he worked in Paris.

Life

De Stad Colombo op Ceylon uit het Noorden te zien in 't Jaar 1785 van de Rhee, met deszelfs afgebrooke en weder herbouwd wordende Kerk en tooren

Ondaatje was the son of Willem Jurgen Ondaatje, a Protestant minister, with a dark complexion, attributed to his grandmother Portuguese ancestry on the island, known as "burghers". His grandfather, was mixed Tamil and Sinhala descent.[4] His mother, Hermina Quint, hailed from Amsterdam where they married in 1757.[5] In early 1758 the couple arrived at Ceylon where he was aligned to the Wolvendaal Church but later in Jaffnapatnam.

In 1774 Pieter arrived in Amsterdam, where he resided with his grandfather, and became a pupil at the Athenaeum Illustre. In 1778 he relocated to Utrecht to pursue studies in law and theology but shifted his focus to philosophy, physics and medicine. In November 1782 he received a degree in philosophy amd successfully obtained his PhD from Leiden Law School in January 1787.

Dutch Patriot

Patriots at the Neude on 12 October 1786, during the installation of a "democratic" city council
Parade of the exercitiegenootschappen and auxiliary troops in Utrecht on September 2, 1787. Depiction of the Rhinegrave of Salm as commander-in-chief in the middle (K)
Likely Johann Friedrich of Salm-Grumbach, drawing by Johannes Cornelis Mertens (1752–1823).[6]
Map of the Batavian Republic in 1798 by Mortier Covens

In 1783, influenced by Andrew Fletcher (patriot), Ondaatje played a pivotal role as one of the founders of the local Free corps, which aimed to supplant the orangist schutterij. During this time he was elected as officer and renting a room in the same house as the poet Jacobus Bellamy, who complained about the noisy gatherings in Ondaatje's quarters.[7] nl:Rijklof Michaël van Goens, the principal mouthpiece of the Orangists, was removed from the city councel.[8] Additionally, he wrote petitions to the vroedschap regarding the rights and duties of the stadholder concerning the selection of new candidates. As the leader of the negotiations, Ondaatje asserted to the magistrate the necessity of embracing the general will.[9] Regular meetings were hold in the "stadskelder". On 6 December 1784, the first national meeting of armed civilian corps was organized in Utrecht; no doubt Ondaatje was involved.[10]

On 11 March 1785, the populace of Utrecht congregated at the town hall in a massive demonstration. Led by Ondaatje, they boldly entered the hall, where he delivered a passionate speech demanding the resignation of Orangist candidates unless the regenten acceded to their demands.[11] Faced with this determined stance, the magistrates relented, on the condition that Ondaatje quell the unrest. Ondaatje proclaimed their triumph and urged the people to disperse to their homes. Though the crowd dispersed, subsequent gatherings were prohibited.[12] In May 1785, a complaint was filed against him, setting the stage for a trial scheduled on August 2, 1785.[13] Ondaatje made the decision to resign from his position in the Free corps and relinquish his role as their representative. He found himself compelled to defend his actions in the patriot newspaper De Post van den Neder-Rhijn.

By December 1785, tension in the city escalated further. Despite a vigorous campaign by the patriots advocating for the adoption of new democratic urban regulations, the council remained entrenched in traditional governance methods. Faced with this impasse, Ondaatje resolved to take decisive action. On 19 December, he successfully rallied a crowd and led them to the town hall, demanding that the city council implement the democratic regulations within three months.

Dutch Revolt

Amidst intense public interest, the Utrecht city council was removed from power in early August 1786 with only seven members retaining their positions.[14] Within a matter of weeks, the free corps elected more patriotically inclined magistrates, who assumed office on 10 October. This marked a historic moment, as Utrecht became the first city in the Netherlands to establish a city government that included representation from Catholics, Mennonites, and other less privileged groups. This government was controlled by representatives of the population and, notably, operated without interference or permission from the Stadholder.[15] However, the Orangist majority in the States of Utrecht refused to acknowledge these regulations and relocated to Amersfoort, while the Patriot minority remained in Utrecht. The city transformed into a fortified camp in anticipation of a potential attack by the stadtholder's forces, which were being organized from Amersfoort.

In May 1787, a total ban on the purchase of weapons was imposed, further infuriating the patriots. All this led to the establishment of the Defense Committee in Woerden to organize the defense of Holland and Utrecht. On 7 June Ondaatje was appointed as liaison officer and Johann Friedrich von Salm-Grumbach as commander-in-chief.[16] In August 60 French gunners arrived in the city.[17] Things really got exciting when a Prussian ultimatum came into effect but Holland refused to give in. On 13 September a Prussian invasion of Holland took place; about 20,000 Prussian soldiers, in three divisions, crossed the border. In the night of 16 September the Salm-légion, Ondaatje and his armed volunteers and supporters left Utrecht and fled in the direction of Ouderkerk aan de Amstel.[18] Ondaatje destroyed the mutual correspondence between the members of the Defense Committee in Woerden.[19]

Around 2 October he (and the Rhinegrave?) fled to Hamburg but Ondaatje returned in November (with bad weather) to Ostend.[20] The formation of a union between the Republic and the Belgian region was a topic in which Ondaatje was interested, having withdrawn to Ghent with Von Liebeherr. In 1789 he was condemned for Lèse-majesté.[21] He settled in Dunkirk as author and printer.[22] In 1791 Ondaatje wrote an apology to the Rijngraaf of Salm.[23] He added Quint to his last name on request of his late grandfather.

Meanwhile Ondaatje was active in fraternal organisations (Free masons). For him the Rights of Man came first and he laid emphasis on freedom of speech and the people's sovereignty. In July 1792 Ondaatje sought help from Johan Valckenaer and Court Lambertus of Beyma and proposed the formation of a Batavian Legion, assisting in an invasion into the Dutch Republic by general Dumouriez.[24] On 17 February 1793, the French troops and the Batavian Legion crossed the border; Ondaatje was present during the Siege of Breda by Westermann,[25] occupied by an army of Sans-Culottes that lacked almost everything.[26] The Armée du Nord was ordered to return to Brussels rather than further entering Holland.[27][28] From September 1793 Ondaatje was active in Calais as a printer.[29] In the following year he married Christina Hoevenaar, who divorced J.C. Hespe, another revolutionary printer. After the Batavian Revolution they moved to the Hague.[30][31]

Batavian Republic

Ondaatje worked at Zeerecht, print by Jan de Beijer
Drawing of the city hall (Dutch: stadhuis) in Batavia (by Danish painter Johannes Rach, late 18th century)

In 1796, Ondaatje, alongside Samuel Wiselius, Wybo Fijnje, Theodorus van Kooten, and Bogislaus von Liebeherr, was appointed to the Committee tasked with dissolving the Dutch East India Company. As he spoke Portugese he was sent on a journey to Portugal, aiming to safeguard the East Indian return fleet, which had entered Saint Ubes laden with valuable merchandise, from English interception. In January 1797, he met with Johan Valckenaer in Madrid and returned via Paris.[32]

He was residing at Oudezijds Voorburgwal, close to Zeerecht when he buried one of his children at Oudezijds Kapel. As a propagator of the unitary state he contributed to producing a map delineating the new territorial division of the Batavian Republic.[33][34] Under the Staatsbewind, he obtained a financial position within the Navy, which he maintained until 1804.[35] He served Louis Bonaparte until his Kingdom of Holland was absorbed into France.

In 1811, Ondaatje was appointed at the Prize court in Paris which was dissolved in January 1815. During the Hundred Days he had a meeting with William I of the Netherlands. Upon his return he faced criticism due to his past affiliations. In February 1815, he and Von Liebeherr sought appointment to the Council of Justice in Batavia. To end the British interregnum in the East Indies the Dutch dispatched a fleet in October to restore Dutch administration on Java in accordance with the terms of the Treaty of Paris.[36][37][38]. The fleet reached its destination on 19 May 1816, and after three months, the British governor consented with establishing three Commissioners-General of the Dutch East Indies. Meanwhile, on 31 March 1816, Ondaatje, Liebeherr and other designated officials, embarked from Vlissingen. Within a few days the Nassau ran aground on the Flemish coast. As a result, it sustained a leak and was forced to dock in Rio de Janeiro. The crew was in good condition but at some time Ondaatje had suffered a stroke.[39][40] After six months the frigate arrived at Banten. By July 1817 he was no longer able to fulfill his duties on (the second floor of) the colonial townhall and was sent home. Following the death of her parents the youngest daughter relocated to Colombo and later to Jersey.

References

  1. ^ Patriot and Patrician: To Holland and Ceylon in the Steps of Henrik Hooft ... by H.G.A. Hooft
  2. ^ N.C.F. van Sas (2004) De metamorfose van Nederland. Van oude orde naar moderniteit, 1750-1900
  3. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 58
  4. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 55
  5. ^ Trouwinschrijving Willem Jurriaan Ondatie en Harmina Quint, 27-02-1757
  6. ^ Het Utrechts Archief
  7. ^ Paul Krijnen (2021) Pieter Quint Ondaatje: revolutieleider in Utrecht, p. 21, 25
  8. ^ S. Schama (1977) Patriots and Liberators: Revolution in the Netherlands 1780–1813, p. 84, 89, 90
  9. ^ P. Krijnen, p. 35
  10. ^ H.T. Colenbrander (1898) De patriottentijd. Deel 2: 1784-1786, p. 224
  11. ^ S. Schama (1977) Patriots and Liberators: Revolution in the Netherlands 1780–1813, p. 90-91
  12. ^ Schama, S. (1987) Patriots and Liberators, Revolution in the Netherlands 1780-1813, p. 84, 86, 89-93. 91. New York, Vintage books, ISBN 0-679-72949-6
  13. ^ Paul Krijnen (2021), p. 37, 38, 40
  14. ^ Algemeen Rijksarchief 2.21.057, archief P.A. Dumont-Pigalle, inv. nr. 87: Handelingen en Besluiten van de Algemeene Vergadering der Gewapende Burger-Corpzen Provintialiter gehouden binnen Utrecht op den 1 Augustus 1786 en volgende dagen; H.T. Colenbrander, p. 255
  15. ^ N.C.F. van Sas (2004) De metamorfose van Nederland. Van oude orde naar moderniteit, 1750-1900
  16. ^ Inventaris van het archief van de Commissie van Defensie te Woerden, 1787
  17. ^ Hulzen, A. van (1966) Utrecht in de patriottentijd, p. 289
  18. ^ Bijdragen tot de geschiedenis der omwenteling in 1787
  19. ^ Inventaris van het archief van de Commissie van Defensie te Woerden, 1787
  20. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 56
  21. ^ C.M. Davies (1870) Memorials and Times of Peter Philip Juriaan Quint Ondaatje
  22. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 55
  23. ^ Bijdragen tot de geschiedenis der omwenteling in 1787
  24. ^ Joost Rosendaal (2005) Bataven! Nederlandse vluchtelingen in Frankrijk 1787-1795
  25. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 57
  26. ^ Mémoires du général Dumouriez, Band 2, p. 27, 30, 32, 38, 42, 54
  27. ^ Mémoires du général Dumouriez, Band 2, p. 61
  28. ^ Patricia Chastain Howe (2008) Foreign policy and the French Revolution. Charles-Francois Doyle, Pierre Lebrun, and the Belgian Plan, 1789-1793. Palgrave Macmillan, London, p. 159, 172
  29. ^ https://vanberkelbeelden.pictures/beeldhouwers/britt-nelemans/pieter-quint-ondaatje/
  30. ^ Maarten Hell, Hoevenaar, Christina, in: Digitaal Vrouwenlexicon van Nederland URL: [1]
  31. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 58
  32. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 58
  33. ^ https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/RP-P-OB-86.695
  34. ^ Pieter Philip Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje (1758-1818)
  35. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 58
  36. ^ Blok and Molhuysen, p. 570
  37. ^ Atkins, James (1889). The Coins And Tokens of the Possessions And Colonies of the British Empire. London: Bernard Quaritch. p. 213.
  38. ^ Hannigan, Tim (2012). Raffles and the British invasion of Java (4th ed.). Singapore: Monsoon Books Pte Ltd. p. 229. ISBN 978-981-4358-85-9.
  39. ^ https://www.marhisdata.nl/zoeken&s=kronieken&year=1816
  40. ^ DBNL (1869) Mr. Ph. Jurriaan Quint Ondaatje von M.P.J. Ondaatje, p. 58

Sources

External links

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