Anglo Dutch Treaty
Penang’s Changing Role in the Straits Settlementsi, 1826-1946
C.M. Turnbull
Email maryturnbull@beeb.net
ABSTRACT
When the East India Company created the Straits Settlements (comprising Penang & Province Wellesley, Melaka and Singapore) as the Fourth Presidency of India in 1826, Penang was the capital, the most important of the settlements. While it remained the headquarters of the judiciary until 1855, Penang soon gave way to Singapore as the administrative and commercial capital in 1832, beginning a rivalry.
When the European merchants of Singapore petitioned the British government in 1857 to take over direct rule of the SS as a crown colony, their counterparts in Penang refused to sign the petition, and Penang was so resentful of Singapore domination and subordination to Singapore’s interests that in 1872 the Penang chamber of commerce petitioned unsuccessfully for separation from Singapore.
But, while Penang was overshadowed by its more successful rival, it – like Melaka – prospered with the economic expansion in the last thirty years of the 19th century – rubber and tin in the Malay states, Perak, Province Wellesley, Kedah – and even more through the spectacular development of the East Residency of Sumatra, for which Penang was the natural outlet.
Penang’s Changing Role in the Straits Settlements 1826-1942
For the space of 120 years, Penang was part of the Straits Settlements, which were formed in 1826 when the East India Company grouped together its scattered possessions in the Straits of Melaka, namely: Penang, or Prince of Wales Island, (including Province Wellesley), Singapore, and Melaka. Prince of Wales Island, which was ceded to the company by the sultan of Kedah in 1786, and Province Wellesley, which was acquired from Kedah fourteen years later, were elevated to presidency status in 1805. Singapore, which was founded by the Company in 1819, was administered from Bencoolen in Sumatra until 1823, when it passed to
C.M. Turnbull
Email maryturnbull@beeb.net
ABSTRACT
When the East India Company created the Straits Settlements (comprising Penang & Province Wellesley, Melaka and Singapore) as the Fourth Presidency of India in 1826, Penang was the capital, the most important of the settlements. While it remained the headquarters of the judiciary until 1855, Penang soon gave way to Singapore as the administrative and commercial capital in 1832, beginning a rivalry.
When the European merchants of Singapore petitioned the British government in 1857 to take over direct rule of the SS as a crown colony, their counterparts in Penang refused to sign the petition, and Penang was so resentful of Singapore domination and subordination to Singapore’s interests that in 1872 the Penang chamber of commerce petitioned unsuccessfully for separation from Singapore.
But, while Penang was overshadowed by its more successful rival, it – like Melaka – prospered with the economic expansion in the last thirty years of the 19th century – rubber and tin in the Malay states, Perak, Province Wellesley, Kedah – and even more through the spectacular development of the East Residency of Sumatra, for which Penang was the natural outlet.
Penang’s Changing Role in the Straits Settlements 1826-1942
For the space of 120 years, Penang was part of the Straits Settlements, which were formed in 1826 when the East India Company grouped together its scattered possessions in the Straits of Melaka, namely: Penang, or Prince of Wales Island, (including Province Wellesley), Singapore, and Melaka. Prince of Wales Island, which was ceded to the company by the sultan of Kedah in 1786, and Province Wellesley, which was acquired from Kedah fourteen years later, were elevated to presidency status in 1805. Singapore, which was founded by the Company in 1819, was administered from Bencoolen in Sumatra until 1823, when it passed to