ABSTRACT
In 1750 the Dutch overseas possessions in the West and in Asia were not regular topics of discussion for Dutch naval administrators. These men had other, more pressing items on their agenda. Their meetings were taken up with discussions on the eternal problems of the collection and administration of the fiscal duties in ports and in inland towns, the arrangements for convoy ships and the appointment of officers. However, the navy did have one permanent concern outside Europe: the security of trade to and from the West Indies and Suriname. In 1795 the new Batavian Republic became an ally of revolutionary France after its invasion by French forces. During this period the Dutch overseas territories were almost totally abandoned to the tender mercies of the Royal Navy and the Peace of Amiens in 1802 provided only temporary relief.
