Subject: [GovGen, History] J.F.de Friderici 1790-1802
Article:


There is very little known about the life and accomplishments of the 60 th GovGen who ruled Suriname. Thus this is an attempt to fill that gap.

J.F. de Friderici was GovGen of Suriname from 1790-1802. He succeded GovGen Jan Nepveu. de Friderici was a former commander of the 'Black Rangers'. He was born in South Africa and emigrated to Suriname. He followed a military career and was on a 'fast track' as he was soon a colonel of the militia. He was GovGen at the age of 40. He was loyal to the House of Orange and he was called a 'Oranje klant'. He was a veteran of many expeditions against the Bonis and he succeeded in defeating the Bonis by using the Aucaners.

He was not a succesful GovGen eventhough he tried hard. The economy of Suriname was already in a downward spiral and many businesses went bankrupt because of their investments in Suriname. The effects of the French Revolution were also felt in Suriname as the slaves became restless. The border between French Guiana and Suriname was closed. Freedom of Speech was curtailed and the right to assemble severely restricted.

During the reign of the 'Bataafse' Republic in the Netherlands, Suriname became property of the state. At this time import and export came to a stand still because of a British blockade and French and British pirate ships.

In 1799 the British took back Suriname and a small contingent of hired Spanish troops (Corps of Wallons), who had the responsibility to defend Suriname, surrendered without firing a shot. De Friderici was retained as GovGen by the British. In 1802 (Peace treaty of Amiens) Suriname was returned to the Dutch. GovGen de Friderici became the only GovGen who was impeached for cooperating with the British occupiers. He was dismissed and spent the rest of his life on one of his 13 plantations in Suriname where he died in obscurity.






Met dank aan Albert Buys