On 22 October 1714, Adriaan departed aboard the Linschoten to serve as an assistant buyer (onderkoopman) in the Dutch East Indies.

In 1726, he assumed the roles of a merchant and chief buyer (opperkoopman), and in 1727, he served as "Accountant General" (boekhouder-generaal) of the Dutch Indies.

These immigrants were primarily engaged in various activities such as construction work within Batavia, including houses and fortifications, as well as laboring on the sugar plantations surrounding the city.

However, beginning in 1725, the sugar trade faced challenges, partially due to competition from Brazil,[1] prompting a shift towards coffee production.

[1] Gustaaf Willem, Baron van Imhoff, a contemporary of Valckenier, expressed disapproval of the violence during the Batavia massacre.

Valckenier faced additional criticism for his handling of the coffee trade; his decision to destroy over half of the plantations led to significant losses when demand increased and supply fell short.

Although initially cleared of wrongdoing by the Directors and even granted the rank of admiral, Valckenier was rearrested in Cape Town on 25 January 1742 while en route to the Netherlands.