TheSociety of Suriname (Dutch:Sociëteit van Suriname) was a Dutch private company, modelled on the ideas ofJean-Baptiste Colbert and set up on 21 May 1683 to profit from the management and defense of theDutch Republic's colony ofSuriname. It had three participants, with equal shares in the costs and benefits of the society; the city ofAmsterdam, the familyVan Aerssen van Sommelsdijck, and theDutch West India Company. Only through mutual consent could these shareholders withdraw from the society.[1]
Although the organization and administration of the colony was limited to these three shareholders, all citizens of theDutch Republic were free to trade with Suriname.[2] Also, the planters were consulted in aCouncil of Police, which was a unique feature among the colonies of Guyana.[3]
Its governors includedCornelis van Aerssen van Sommelsdijck,Johan van Scharphuizen, andPaulus van der Veen.
The Society was nationalized by theBatavian Republic in November 1795, as thePatriottentijd deemed the governing of colonies by chartered companies a thing of the past.
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