IV. TIME TO SETTLE

Ever since their discovery in 1598, the V.O.C (Dutch East India Company) never thought of settling on Mauritius. Why would they? Mauritius was just an island that facilitated the voyage to the East. Besides, they ruled over the trade market. However, in 1637, the company surprisingly decided that settlement was needed on the island. Why did they suddenly change their mind? Well, the answer is simple; Competition.

When the V.O.C. found out about the “New Sea Route” in 1598, they did not keep it to themselves, unlike the Portuguese. No, the Dutch were smart people. Europe was divided into various kingdoms, each wanting more than the other. In such a time, it was better to have as many allies as possible. The company shared their newly found information to the French and the British, hoping that in times of conflicts, both parties would have their back. But what they did not foresee was their accidental discovery of Mauritius.

You see, the island lies in a strategic position, it gave easy access to all countries and islands found in the Indian Ocean. Not to mention the abundance of ebony present on the island. When Warwijck showed the samples, the directors asked that any ship stopping by the island should bring back this wood. However, stories of a land filled with riches started spreading to other European countries. For instance, the Englishman Sir Thomas Herbert and French sailors went to Mauritius and found Ambergris, the raw material to make perfumes which cost a fortune! They also cut down ebony trees. Mauritius had become an ideal place for all those companies who wanted to be wealthier. The V.O.C had to act fast, the island needed protection against invaders.