Christopher Heins
Encyclopedia
Christopher Heins was a lieutenant and interim Governor-General
of The Danish West Indies during two short periods, respectively 29 June 1686 to March 1687 and from October 1688 to 1689. Little is known about his career or personal life outside his reigns under company rule.
When Gabriel Milan
was appointed governor in 1684, Heins accompanied him to the West Indies, and would succeed him in the event of his death (after Niels Lassen who was the direct successor).
When Milan's rule fell into disfavor with the Danish administration in 1686 and he was removed from office, he gave the charge of the fortress to Heins. However, Mikkel Mikkelsen
of the Danish party was the official governor until 29 June 1686 when official charge of the islands was given to Heins.
The official reporter, Andrew Brock, said about the incidents (in a letter to Albert Gyldensparre): "May God in heaven aid him (Heins) oto carry on his government better than his predecessors, which I expect him to do, as he has shown himself only as an honest and upright man."
After the initial confusion of the Milan deposement, Adolph Esmit
was reinstated as governor in 1687, leaving Heins as vice-governor. However, this rule was short, as the company quickly found that Esmit was unable to fulfill his obligations in a satisfactory manner, and he was recalled to Denmark
the year after.
Vice-admiral Ivar Hoppe who was taking Esmit back called the inhabitants together on 8 July 1688 and told them that he wished to know if Esmit’s statement that he held the affection of all on the island was true. "If you want Adolph Esmit to become governor, speak now while there is yet time," the vice-admiral said. To this the planters all responded as with one voice, “No! if that should happen, we should all leave the land!” When asked concerning vice-governor Heins, they replied that they asked for no better governor. Heins was reinstated as governor ad interim in October of that year.
This reign would be short, however, as he died only a year after.
Governor-General
A Governor-General, is a vice-regal person of a monarch in an independent realm or a major colonial circonscription. Depending on the political arrangement of the territory, a Governor General can be a governor of high rank, or a principal governor ranking above "ordinary" governors.- Current uses...
of The Danish West Indies during two short periods, respectively 29 June 1686 to March 1687 and from October 1688 to 1689. Little is known about his career or personal life outside his reigns under company rule.
When Gabriel Milan
Gabriel Milan
Gabriel Milan was Jewish governor of the Danish West Indies from 7 May 1684 to 27 February 1686. Though he mainly went by the name of 'Gabriel Milan', he identified himself as Don Franco de Tebary Cordova in his correspondence with King Frederick III of Denmark...
was appointed governor in 1684, Heins accompanied him to the West Indies, and would succeed him in the event of his death (after Niels Lassen who was the direct successor).
When Milan's rule fell into disfavor with the Danish administration in 1686 and he was removed from office, he gave the charge of the fortress to Heins. However, Mikkel Mikkelsen
Mikkel Mikkelsen
Mikkel Mikkelsen was a Fiscal and Governor-General ad interim of St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies, from 27 February 1686 to 29 June 1686...
of the Danish party was the official governor until 29 June 1686 when official charge of the islands was given to Heins.
The official reporter, Andrew Brock, said about the incidents (in a letter to Albert Gyldensparre): "May God in heaven aid him (Heins) oto carry on his government better than his predecessors, which I expect him to do, as he has shown himself only as an honest and upright man."
After the initial confusion of the Milan deposement, Adolph Esmit
Adolph Esmit
Adolph Esmit was governor of St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies from 1683 to 1684, and again from 1687 to 1688. He was born in Holstein. His older brother Nicolai Esmit preceded him as governor of St. Thomas.-Biography:...
was reinstated as governor in 1687, leaving Heins as vice-governor. However, this rule was short, as the company quickly found that Esmit was unable to fulfill his obligations in a satisfactory manner, and he was recalled to Denmark
Denmark
Denmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
the year after.
Vice-admiral Ivar Hoppe who was taking Esmit back called the inhabitants together on 8 July 1688 and told them that he wished to know if Esmit’s statement that he held the affection of all on the island was true. "If you want Adolph Esmit to become governor, speak now while there is yet time," the vice-admiral said. To this the planters all responded as with one voice, “No! if that should happen, we should all leave the land!” When asked concerning vice-governor Heins, they replied that they asked for no better governor. Heins was reinstated as governor ad interim in October of that year.
This reign would be short, however, as he died only a year after.