In 1639, experienced seafarer, Willem Leyel, was sent to Tranquebar on the order of Christian IV of Denmark to inspect the Danish East India Company's troublesome financial conditions, which had been caused by the current governor, Bernt Pessart.

[1][2][3] When Leyel arrived at Tranquebar, he would assume the title of overhoved after a brief siege on Fort Dansborg and began administering the Company's finances.

[5] The treaty effetively ended the Danish privateers lucrative activities,[5][6] perhaps the mutineers wanted the freedom to commit open piracy.

[7] It is possible that Leyel's attempt to force the acting governor of Tranquebar, Anders Nielsen, to go on a voyage to Makassar finally sparked the revolt.

[4] The conspirators searched his home and gathered all incriminating evidence in a small chest, in which they made they covering document that said: The enclosed documents, papers, books, letters, and files are laid here just as they were found after the arrest of Señor Leyel, just as they are packed in this chest, small and big, bad and good, and nothing has been removed or added in any way that could serve to spare or blacken Señor Leyel.