io8 The Zeeuwsch Genootschap and the Formation of its Correspondence Network
side of Zeeland had been added to the network, the ZGW shifts to a snowball-sam
pling method. The ZGW encouraged members to make use of their networks to
recruit new members. Some members of the correspondence network were given
the authority to make a direct offer of membership within their networks. These
members would update the ZGW regarding the candidates they asked to become a
member, after which the ZGW would send an official invitation. An example of this
procedure is Petrus Hofsteede, who had been a member since 1768.72 In his letter of
October 8, 1770, he states that he can find directors for the ZGW within the govern
ment of Rotterdam, but that he will only be able to recruit them if the ZGW ensures
that they will be accepted. The ZGW gives its permission and requests Hofsteede
to choose two new directors from the region of Rotterdam - as becomes clear from
a letter of December 24, 1770. In this letter Hofsteede states that he recruited two
new persons who were suitable for becoming directors of the ZGW: Gerard Daniel
Deninck and Willem van Hogendorp. Hofsteede describes them as 'enthusiasts and
Patrons of the sciences' who will be beneficial for the ZGW.73 The ZGW agreed with
Hofsteede's choice and sent the membership diploma's to both Denninck and Ho
gendorp, who became directors of the ZGW in 1771.74
The hesitation of Hofsteede to recruit new directors and members for the
ZGW is understandable, as the ZGW did not accept every request of membership.
Martinus Slabber had become painfully aware of this.75 Slabber became a member
in 1768 - after he had requested his membership in a letter.76 He also petitioned
the ZGW on October 15, 1768, to make Prof. G. Buchner, a professor of medicine
in Halle, a member of the ZGW. Slabber praises Buchner's achievements, which
included being the personal Medicus of the King of the Holy Roman Empire and
being a member of many academies including the ones in London and Berlin.77
However, on May 18, 1769, he posted another letter asking the ZGW why they had
not offered membership to Buchner, as he believed other people with much less
credit had been admitted.78 Yet the ZGW did not change its position and Buchner
72 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 121, scan 4; ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 58, scan 59; Petrus Hofstede.
KZGW Online, https://kzgwonline.nl/persoon/petrus-hofstede (accessed June 1, 2020).
73 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 58, scan 339-440.
74 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 58, scan 440; ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 119, scan 6.
75 Martinus Slabber. KZGW Online, https://kzgwonline.nl/persoon/martinus-slabber. (accessed
June 1, 2020)
76 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 58, scan 10-12, letters of May 23 and June 6, 1768.
77 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 58, scan 56-58.
78 ZA, Arch. KZGW, inv. nr. 58, scan 141.
