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The British in Banjarmasin: An Abortive Attempt at Settlement 1700–1707

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 August 2009

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Extract

Early in July 1698 the royal assent was received to an Act of Parliament which sanctioned the formation of a corporation, called the General Society, whose subscribers were vested with exclusive rights to trade in the East. The ‘New’ Company obtained its Royal Charter in September 1698 under the name of ‘The English Company Trading to the Indies' and it was to superced the ‘Old’ Company which was given a three-year grace to wind up its business. The ‘Old’ Company was expected to liquidate its East Indian assets, dismantle its Asian factories and recall its servants by September 1701.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The National University of Singapore 1963

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References

1. The dismantling of the ‘Old’ Company's establishments in the East, however never took place. In 1702, discussions led to a fusion of the ‘Old’ and the ‘New’ Company and the union became operative in 1709. See Das, Harihar, The Norris Embassy to Aurangzib (1699–1702), (Calcutta, 1959), pp, 4457.Google Scholar

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71. Cunningham ‘bred a Surgeon’, had served in the Pulo Condore establishment prior to its destruction in March 1705. He was held prisoner for sometime, and on his release was given the Banjarmasin appointment. Willi, , op.cit., p.14.Google Scholar

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74. Some effort was made at re-establishing the British factory at Banjarmasin. In March 1708, the Anna was despatched to Banjarmasin but it failed to effect a settlement. The directors were not easily discouraged, and in 1713, they renewed their efforts at Banjarmasin by sending two vessels which however, did not succeed in establishing a permanent factory. Villi, , op.cit., pp.16–7.Google Scholar

75. Banjarmasin Council to Company, 24 07 1707.Google Scholar SFR, VII, f.32.

76. Cunningham, to Company, 26 07 1707.Google Scholar SFR, VII, f.47.

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81. I wish to acknowledge the criticism and advice received from Dr. D.K. Bassett in the writing of this article.