Governor of Formosa facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor of Formosa |
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Flag of the Dutch East India Company
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| Residence | Fort Zeelandia Tayouan, Formosa |
| Appointer | Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies |
| Inaugural holder | Marten Sonk |
| Formation | 1624 |
The Governor of Formosa (Dutch: gouverneur van Formosa) was the main leader of the government when the Dutch controlled Taiwan. This time, called the Dutch colonial period, lasted from 1624 to 1662.
The Governor-General of the Dutch East Indies chose the Governor of Formosa. This Governor-General lived in Batavia (which is now Jakarta, Indonesia). The Governor of Formosa had important powers. They could make laws, collect taxes, and decide on war or peace. They did all this for the Dutch East India Company (VOC), which was a powerful trading company. This also meant they acted for the Dutch state.
The governor's home was at Fort Zeelandia. This fort was located in a place called Tayouan.
Contents
Who Were the Governors of Formosa?
There were twelve official governors during the time the Dutch ruled Formosa. One person, Harmen Klenck van Odessen, was sometimes thought to be the thirteenth. However, he never actually became governor.
Why Harmen Klenck van Odessen Was Not a Governor
Harmen Klenck van Odessen was chosen by the VOC Governor-General Joan Maetsuycker. But when Klenck arrived near Tayouan, the Siege of Fort Zeelandia was happening. This was a big battle.
Klenck would not go ashore to start his job. Even Frederick Coyett, who was the governor at the time, asked him to. But Klenck left without ever stepping onto Formosa. So, he was never officially a governor.
List of Governors of Formosa
Here is a list of the twelve people who served as Governor of Formosa.
| № | Portrait | Name | From | Until |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  |
Martinus Sonck | 1624 | 1625 (died in office) |
| 2 | |
Gerard Frederikszoon de With | 1625 | 1627 |
| 3 |  |
Pieter Nuyts | 1627 | 1629 |
| 4 | |
Hans Putmans | 1629 | 1636 |
| 5 | |
Johan van der Burg | 1636 | 1640 (died in office) |
| 6 | |
Paulus Traudenius | 1640 | 1643 |
| 7 | |
Maximilian le Maire | 1643 | 1644 |
| 8 | |
François Caron | 1644 | 1646 |
| 9 |  |
Pieter Anthoniszoon Overtwater | 1646 | 1649 |
| 10 | |
Nicolas Verburg | 1649 | 1653 |
| 11 | |
Cornelis Caesar | 1653 | 1656 |
| 12 |  |
Frederick Coyett | 1656 | 1662 |
See also
- Dutch Formosa
- Governor-General of Taiwan (1895–1945)
- Governor of Taiwan Province (1994–present)
