September in the History of Mauritius
Introduction
The history of Mauritius is vast and complex. It may be relatively short in comparison to other societies but it is formidably rich and certainly unique. For centuries, our history has been marked by various vibrant administrations, fascinating personalities and plethora of most interesting occurrences.
This listing is a conscious attempt at regrouping chronologically key events within the historiography of Mauritius. It has been produced in a hope to stimulate further discussion about our history as well as iterate the relevance of the National Archives as the quintessential preserver of the history of Mauritius.
This monthly compilation is composed of an exhaustive list of key occurrences which occurred as early as the 14th century till our independence in 1968. The use of extensive chronological work done by the National Archives Department and the work of Antoine Chelin through his book: Maurice: Une île et son passé have helped in compiling this long and substantial list which we now take the pleasure to share.
It remains of utmost importance however; to also factor in that any list dealing with dates in the historiography will carry certain limitations. The selection process of dates in itself is difficult as list of this genre will naturally prompt the response “why did you leave that out? Or put that in?”
In the same vein, it is vital to distinguish that important dates are not the same as well-known dates. The majority of us will remember that the 1st February 1835 saw the promulgation of the Abolition of Slavery and the 12th March 1968 our very own independence, however despite its clear importance very few will recall that on the 28th December 1511, Domingo Fernandez Pereira, was the first European to touch our shores. He would go on and name our island Ilha Do Cirne.[1]. We should also be open-minded that we cannot affirm with exact certitude the dates few of these events took place.
Our history matters because it helps us as individuals to understand why our society is the way it is right now. Its learning hinges on a continuous documentation of our past. This chronological timeline as you will come to see is riffed with victories and tragedies, with one thing always leading to the next. By learning about these vital events, we automatically begin to understand how one small occurrence can spark countless and invaluable others.
In a hope you will take liking to this section, please find below the first series regarding the key events for the month of September in our History.
[1] Antoine Chelin, Maurice: Une Ile et son passé.
The Month of September in the History of Mauritius
16 September 1601: Admiral Wolphart Hermanesen, commander of an impressive Dutch fleet compromised of the vessels Druyfken and Gardien reaches the Island of Rodrigues. The vessel Gardien is instructed to touch the Rodriguan shores.
6 September 1696: Arrival of the Dutch Vessel Suraag to embark Francois Leguat and his companion Jean Telstar as prisoners. The said Leguat and Telstar are accused of having planned an escape from Ile Aux Fouquet, on the 10 February of the same month.
25 September 1703: Departure of Dutch Governor Roelof Deodati aboard the Noortgouw.
20 September 1715: The Island of Mauritius officially joined the French Kingdom and was named Ile De France by Guillaume Dufresne D’Arsel.
18 September 1724: The creation of the Provincial Council. On the same day there was the promulgation of the Royal Patent of December 1723 regarding slavery entitled Code Noir.
24 September 1724: Letter from the French East India Company to the Provincial Council announced various changes to government and the composition of the said Council. This letter also introduced the idea of using Port Louis as main port for departing vessels. Changes which happened roughly 6 years later on the 22nd of September 1724.
28 September 1737: The Government House (La Loge) was burned in its entirety. Made of wood, the Loge was occupied by Didier De Saint Martin.
30 September 1755: A statement is sent by Pierre Poivre to the Governor and the Superior Council of Ile De France to ask permission to show in front the said council grains and spices obtained from his recent voyages to the Philippines and Maluku Islands.
1 September 1767: Port Louis was now fully under the administrative and military control of the Royal Government.
20 September 1774: Violent explosion occurred at the Baie Aux Tortures Powder Mill causing 11 Deaths and 29 injuries.
3 September 1784: Death of Francois Nicholas Beaulard De Candos, former member of the superior council. The current Candos Hill and Candos Hospital are named in his honour.
8 September 1790: First ascension of Mount Pieter Both by Claude Peuthe
20 September 1803: Death of David Charpentier De Cossigny, former governor of Ile De France.
25 September 1803: General Charles De Caen was named Captain General of Ile De France.
28 September 1803: Dissolution of the colonial assembly and suppression of all tribunals created during the Revolutionary period.
1er September 1807: Creation of the first Maritime Tribunal of Ile De France.
20 September 1816: Upon Robert Farquhar’s request celebration of the 100th years of French habitation in Mauritius.
25 September 1816: An enormous fire outbreak completely annihilated large areas of Port Louis.
12 September 1825: Ordinance No 15 of same year, called for the establishment of a Mauritius Chamber of Commerce.
15 September 1830: Foundation of the Blyth Brothers and Co.
24 September 1832: Departure of the popular Reverend Jean Lebrun for England.
21 September 1833: First edition of Newspaper: Le Mauricien.
01 September 1843: Arrival of famous poet Charles Baudelaire aboard vessels Oxford.
08 September 1845: 8 sisters from Ireland reached Mauritius alongside Father Allen Collier who thereafter was christened first bishop of Mauritius. The sisters went on creating the Loretto Convent of Port Louis.
09 September 1864: Death at Port Louis of Reverend Pere Jacques Desire Laval.
26 September 1866: A statue in memory of Adrien D’Epinay was erected at la Jardin De la Compagnie.
18 September 1900: Birth of Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the father of the Nation.
27 September 1900: The Government House organised a series of activities and host a lunch to celebrate the 100th years of the Royal College. `
23 September 1911: Departure of Manilall Doctor aboard the Vessels Cluny Castle.
06 September 1916: Funeral of Sir Victor Delafaye, Chief Judge and one of the first Mauritian King’s Counsel.
20 October 1920: Birth of Veerasamy Ringadoo who later rose through the political ranks and became a well acclaimed Mauritian politician, minister and Governor-General of Mauritius.
12 September 1932: Departure of Doctor Edgar Laurent and Rajcoomar Gujadhur for London to meet with the Colonial Secretary.
21 September 1934: Ordinance No 39 entitled Coinage Ordinance was proclaimed. It concerned the demonetisation of all Indian currencies including Rupees in Mauritius.
01 September 1937: Celebration of the 125th anniversary of the Mauritian Turf Club.
01 September 1937: Celebration for the centenary of the Mauritius Commercial Bank.
06 September 1937: Labourers went on strike in Port Louis. A state of emergency was decreed in Mauritius. The Mauritian Territorial Force was commissioned to ensure that order was maintained. Restrictions are imposed as shops and stores are closed. Emmanuel Anquetil was subsequently deported to Rodrigues aboard vessel Bontekoe.
13 September 1938: Auguste Toussaint was awarded a famed prize from L’Academie des Sciences Morales et Politique Francaise for his piece entitled: Port Louis Deux Siècles D’Histoires.
02 September 1939: Government Notice No 55 announced the censorship of the Press.
20 September 1940: Unveiling of the monument at Grand Port to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the first landing of the Dutch.
12 September 1945: Departure of Mgr. Leen to Rodrigues aboard vessel Zambezi.
05 September 1947: Establishment of the Borstal Instructions at Grande Rivière Nord-Ouest.
02 September 1950: Inauguration of the Museum of Mahebourg by Captain Hilken
29 September 1956: Arrival of Princess Margaret for a 3 days’ visit.
01 September 1960: A ministerial delegation left for Brazil and Honduras to discuss immigration possibilities for Mauritians
26 September 1961: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, Minister of Finance was made Chief Minister.
16 September 1962: Arrival of Governor Sir John Shaw Rennie.
09 September 1963: Creation of Court of Civil Appeal
16 September 1963: Mr. Koscziwsko-Morizet, adviser to the United Nations Organisation, examined development plans for which Dr. Ramgoolam solicited financial aids from U.N special funds.
01 September 1965: Arrival of the Millbourn mission to study possibilities of development in Port Louis harbour.
07 September 1965: Opening of Constitutional conference in London.
18 September 1965: Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam received knighthood from the hands of the Queen at Buckingham Palace
24 September 1965: Secretary of State, A Greenwood, presented his report on Constitutional conference. He expressed the view that is right Mauritius should be independent and took place among the sovereign nations of the world.
28 September 1966: Ordinance to establish the Bank of Mauritius (No 43 of 1966)
01 September 1967: Inauguration of the Bank of Mauritius
02 September 1968: Arrival of the new Governor General, Sir Leonard Williams.
23 September 1968: Mauritius became member of the International Monetary Fund.