(Surinam). Gouvernements Blad No. 2 [“Regulations for the Governance of Surinam.”]

(AMERICAN JUDAICA)

(Paramaribo)

1816

Not in WorldCat.

Important clarification from the colonial government asserting that Jews must retain their civil dues in the Dutch West Indies. The Jews of Surinam sought to ensure that the social privileges they had been granted remained protected. This was never more true than in 1816 when the Dutch retook control of Surinam from the British, as exemplified by this “Regulation for the Governance of Surinam.” The final page of this official government ordinance stating "Nota Bene” makes clear that Jews have the right to hold any and all higher office in Surinam. This important clarification was a direct result of an appeal to Dutch King Willem I after an amendment of Article 26 had earlier stated that office-holders could be of “any denomination of the Christian faith.” The clear implication being - ‘Jews need not apply.’ Surinam’s Jews were deeply offended that this amendment of Article 26 prohibited them from holding higher office. The passage stipulated: “The Court of Police is to be elected from the most distinguished colonists of good name and renown, and being owners of plantations were thus most concerned with the prosperity of this colony, no matter which ‘Christian faith’ they hold.” The Amsterdam Jewish leadership petitioned the King on their co-religionists behalf and this amendment was asserted. The Article to now read “no matter which faith they hold.” See W. Vink, Creole Jews: Negotiating Community in Colonial Suriname (2010).