B5: Penang: Letters to London Page 32 of 363
(Separate) 8th March 1819 29. From our Proceedings and Consultations transmitted in our General Letter of the 17th October, your Hon. Court will have seen, that we were, by no means, insensible of the disadvantages which the British trade would experience from the repossession of Malacca by a foreign power, but were especially if the possession of that settlement by the Dutch could afford a claim to a revival of their ancient bonds of assumed superiority over the Native Princes in the southern entrance of the Straits of Malacca. To counteract this impression, and to establish a freedom of trade for the security of the British interests in the Eastern Seas, were therefore the objects essentially contemplated in the mission, which under our instructions Major Farquhar undertook to Pontiana, Rhio, Lingin &c. 30. Your Hon. Court are also aware of the result of Major Farquhar's missions. He found the Dutch influence established by force of arms at Pointiana, and the assumption of an undivided claim on the part of that Government over the whole island of Borneo, in virtue
Viewing permitted. Use and reproduction only with permission.
Transcribed by Sharon Chong via the Citizen Archivist Portal. The transcriptions provided are the best effort done by our volunteers through the Citizen Archivist Project (www.nas.gov.sg/CitizenArchivist). We seek your understanding that there may be some errors and omissions. Please alert us to such discrepancies so that we can continually improve the quality of our records. We also welcome you to partner us to transcribe our records so that they can be beneficial to other users.
