Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrai9101882roya).pdf/321

 undoubtedly led to an improved position for our Company's merchants in Malaya. The Dutch found the difference when they tried against them at Bantam (1683) the tactics which had been so successful at Amboyna (1625). Our merchants did not, on being expelled from the former, yield up the pepper-trade, as they had yielded the clove-trade at Amboyna: on the contrary the East India Company's Government at Madras took the first opportunity to establish new forts and factories in Indrapore (1681) and Bencoolen (1685). The former settlement did not long continue, but that in Bencoolen was afterwards strengthened and secured by a strong Fort named after the great (1714); and Ben- coolen may thus be considered to be the gern of all our subsequent growth in these parts.

Other experimental establishments were also made at Achin (1666 and 1695), Jambi, Tapanuli, Natal (1752), Moco-Moco, Patani, &c., but none of them proved permanent. After 1686 all the Sumatran Settlements were rendered subordinate to Bencoolen.

The latest of the three divisions. comprising the period since 1762, is a period of political and military connection. commencing with the Bengal Government's expedition against Manila (1762). and continuing down to the present time.

The result of that expedition was that the Spanish possessions were captured without difficulty. but were restored at the Peace of Paris (1763), when our possessions in Sumatra were also secured to us. The only token of success retained by the English was the island of Bĕlambangan, which was ceded by the Sultan of Sulu in gratitude for his release from Spanish captivity on the taking of Manila. This island lies off Maladu Bay in Sabah, and is interesting as being, together with Labuan, which was then occupied for a still shorter period, our first acquisition of territory in Bornean waters. It was finally abandoned in 1803.

The familiarising of the Bengal merchants with this part of the world, consequent on such an expedition, and on the negotiations that followed at the Peace, was of importance; and after the Treaty of 1763 Fort Marlborough (Bencoolen) was formed into an independent Residency, which arrangement lasted till 1802. In 1781