He worked as midshipman aboard the Kamer van Zeeland, a warship, whose duty was to protect the routes of homeward bound cargo ships.

A conflict in the Celebes was brought to an end by occupying Gowa, while the Sultan of Bantam Landak and Batjan gave way to the Dutch East India Company.

To preserve the spice monopoly, the Princes of Tidore and Batjan were deposed and sent into exile to Batavia.

The term of office of van Reynier de Klerck did not last long, for he died on 1 September 1780 in Molenvliet near Batavia.

Reynier de Klerck's house in Batavia can still be seen, as the National Archives Museum on Jalan Gajah Mada, Jakarta.