The Dutch Republic (officially the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands) was the sovereign state that governed the Dutch East India Company and its overseas possessions from the late sixteenth century until its dissolution in 1795. During the mid‑seventeenth century, the Republic’s navy, under commanders such as Michiel de Ruyter, protected the Indische retourvloot, which regularly called at Aceh for the import of pepper and other spices.
Maritime policy and Aceh
The Republic’s commercial policy relied on a monopoly over the spice trade, with Aceh being a key supplier. Naval engagements such as the Battle of Schooneveld and the Battle of Kijkduin were fought to keep the sea lanes open for the Dutch East India Company’s ships returning from Aceh and other parts of the East Indies.
See Also
Source
De geschiedenis van het Nederlandsche Korps Mariniers van 1665‑1945, OCR text, pp. 275‑278.