TREATY BETWEEN THE NETHERLANDS AND ATCHIN (ACEH), MARCH 30, 1857

Whereas the Netherlands Indian Government and His Highness the Sultan of Atjeh, Ala ’Oedien Mantsoer Sjah, have thought fit to make a Treaty of Peace, Friendship, and Commerce, in order to pre
serve the friendly feelings existing on both sides, and in order to solidify and extend their relations to the benefit of the subjects of their respective empires.
Wherefore I, Jan van Swieten, General Major, Civil and Military Governor of the \l'est Coast of Sumatra, Adjutant to his Majesty the King, on Extraordinary Service, Knight of the Military Order of King William, third class, and of the Lion of the Netherlands, in the name and on behalf of the Netherlands Indian Government, have negotiated with His Highness the Sultan of Atjeh, and thereby has been produced. the following Treaty, subject to the approbation of his Excellency the Governor-General of Netherlands India :—

ARTICLE I.

From henceforward there exists constant peace, friendship, and good understanding between the Netherlands Indian Government and his Highness the Sultan of Atjeh and his descendants and successors.

ARTICLE II.

If the subjects of the Netherlands Indian Government, and the subjects of his Highness the Sultan of Atjeh will submit themselves to the laws of the country, they may trade and go everywhere in pursuit

of their legitimate advantages, in all the countries belonging to the Government, or in all the countries belonging to the Sultan, and they may traverse the countries or reside therein enjoying all the rights, advantages, and protection for their persons and property that are already granted, or shall hereafter be granted, to the subjects or inhabitants of the most favoured countries.

ARTICLE III. 

In regard to protection and assistance both to their ships and vessels and to the crews thereof, and in regard to the rights of commerce and navigation, the subjects of the Netherlands Indian Government

and of his Highness “the Sultan of Atjeh shall be placed in the same position as the most favoured nation, in all the ports both of the Netherlands Indian Government and of his Highness the Sultan of

Atjeh.

All the authorities and officials at the ports and anchorages belonging to either of the said parties shall be ordered to be always in readiness to afford all possible help to all the said subjects and their ships and vessels, and especially to see that they meet with no hindrance in delivering, discharging, or lading goods, or when they require provisions or water.

This important clause is agreed upon for the encouragement of Commerce, navigation, and good feeling between the subjects of both parties.

ARTICLE IV.

The Netherlands Indian Government and his Highness the Sultan of Atjeh withdraw all demands and pretensions which have been made previous to the conclusion of this Treaty, with respect to disputes of whatever nature they may have been. Further, it is resolved that, when this Treaty shall have been concluded, all these disputes and demands shall be entirely void and suppressed, so that they be never more spoken of. 

ARTICLE V.

The Netherlands Indian Government and his Highness the Sultan of Atjeh further agree that they will strictly, and by all means in their power, watch that there be no pirates or man-stealers within their

territories or in the seas of their territories, or of other countries where they have any influence.

This shall be opposed by both parties, and those who commit such deeds shall be punished.

By neither party shall any refuge or protection be afforded to anyone concerned in such things, nor to their vessels. By neither party shall pirates' booty of men, vessels, or goods be allowed to be brought within their territories or offered for sale therein.

ARTICLE VI.

If ships or vessels belonging to the subjects of either party he in distress at sea or stranded, the Netherlands Indian Government and his Highness the Sultan of Atjeh shall afford immediate help and protection as far as ever possible; and if any kind of stranded articles be rescued, whoever saves them shall be suitably rewarded.

Whoever has a right to such goods may seek the decision of the.Governor-General of Netherlands India, or of his Highness the Sultan of Atjeh, as to the remuneration demanded by the person who has rescued them, and this decision must be accepted by him.

If ships or vessels bearing the Netherlands flag be stranded or lost, or if Netherlands subjects or Netherlands Indian subjects, whose ships or vessels have been lose, arrive on the coast of Atjeh, the Atjehan authority there shall, as speedily as possible, communicate the fact to the Governor of the West Coast of Sumatra, at Padang, or to any other Netherlands authority at hand.

Those who have robbed stranded ships or vessels, or have ill-used shipwrecked persons, even those who have refused to render due assistance, shall certainly be severely punished.

ARTICLE VII.

His Highness the Sultan of Atjeh binds himself to recognize the Governor of the West Coast of Sumatra, as the representative of his Excellency the Governor-General of Netherlands India, and to apply to him in all matters wherein, in regard to the interests of both parties, interference is necessary

ARTICLE VIII.

If, hereafter, it should be desirable to arrange any affairs between the Netherlands Indian Government and his Highness the Sultan of Atjeh, it shall be done by negotiation on both sides in a peaceable way.

This Convention shall be in force as soon as it is ratified by his Excellency the Governor-General of Netherlands India. The two Contracting Parties have hereunder set their signatures and seals, as proof and sign of attestation. 

Done at Atjeh, in quadruplicate, on the thirtieth of March, one thousand eight hundred and fiftyseven, and the fourth of the month Saaban, one thousand two hundred and seventy-three, according to

Mahommedan computation. 

30 March 1857 M

4 Sya'ban 1273 H

(Signed) VAN SWIETEN