In 1602 he was among the largest investors in the Vereenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie, of which he became administrator.

In 1605 he became mayor, as in 1609, 1611, 1614, 1616, 1617, 1619 and 1620. At the formation of the Twelve Year Truce, a controversy arose between him and Van Oldenbarnevelt over the establishment of the WIC. From 1611 he was involved in the Third Enlargement of Amsterdam.