Seram Laut

In 1633, Artus Gijsels, the governor of Ambon, first organised a military expedition to Seram Laut, as part of the 'illicit' clove trade had apparently moved to this island, and it also served as a base for raids on Banda. During this expedition, the population of Seram Laut surrendered, in spite of their fortifications which the attacking VOC forces found daunting, and declared themselves to be vassals of the VOC. Even so, conflict between the inhabitants of Seram Laut and the VOC would recur throughout subsequent decades.