Straits Settlements 1826-1946

By the charter of incorporation dated 27th November 1826, the three British Settlements of Penang, Malacca and Singapore were amalgamated to constitute the Presidency of the Straits ( or Eastern ) Settlements and were placed under the control of a Governor. However, the Straits Settlements failed to live up to expectations and was reduced to a Lieutenant-Governor and placed under the Bengal Presidency in India.
The capital of the Straits Settlements from 1826 – 1836 was at Penang after which it was transferred to Singapore. The last trading monopoly of the British East India Company was abolished in 1853 after which it existed as an administrative body only. Finally by the act of Parliament dated 2nd August 1858, the powers of the company were transferred to the British Crown. As such the Straits Settlements came under the control of the Governor-General of British India who ruled through the Governor of the Straits Settlements. The Straits Settlements were transferred from India Government to the Imperial Government in London on 1st April 1867 and became a Crown Colony.

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Melaka Dutch Coinage of Vereenigde Oos-Indische Compagnie ( V.O.C.)

The Netherlands East Indies ( N.E.I ) included all Dutch possessions in Java, Sumatra, the Moluccas Islands and Malacca/Melaka. The Dutch who were expanding their sphere of influence in the far east combined with the forces of the Sultan of Johor and captured Malacca from the Portuguese on 14thJanuary.1641. For the next 150 years the Dutch East India Company ( Verenidge Oos-Indische Compagnie or V.O.C ) continued to have exclusive monopoly on trade without much interference from foreign powers. In 1794 Holland was invaded by the French under Napoleon. The British occupied Malacca on 1st December.1795 on behalf of the Dutch government in exile. The charter of the Dutch East India company expired in 1799 by which time the company had fallen on bad times. Thus, all its assets and powers were taken over by the Batavian Republic on 30thJune.1799. In June 1806, Louis Napoleon, brother of the French King, became King of Holland. Later, on 9thJuly.1810 the Netherlands were annexed to the French empire. By a proclamation dated 18th September.1811, all Dutch possessions in Java and its dependencies came into British hands. After the fall of Napoleon in 1814, all Dutch possessions under the control of the British were returned to the Dutch by the Treaty of Vienna dated 13th August.1814. However, it was not until 16th August.1816 that Java and its dependencies were transferred to the Dutch. Malacca was returned to the Dutch only on 21st September.1818. Six years later, by the Anglo- Dutch Treaty of 17th March.1824, Holland renounced all claims to Malacca as well as all other parts of the Malay Peninsula and Singapore in returned for al British possessions in Sumatra. Subsequently, the British reoccupied Malacca on 1st March 1825.
After the capture of Malacca from the Portuguese, the first Dutch governor immediately introduced Dutch coinage’s of the Vereenigde Oos-Indische Compagnie or V.O.C ( Dutch East India Company ) into Malacca in February 1641. the earliest Portuguese coins and other circulating currency were retained for trading purposes. However, the Portuguese tin “Bazaruccos” were withdrawn, melted down and later issued as new Dutch-style bazaar pieces. These Dutch “Bazaruccos” were the only coins minted at and for Malacca during the entire Dutch occupation. Unfortunately none of these Dutch “Bazaruccos” have so far been traced but the 1Stiver and 2 Stiver ( unlisted ) denomination had been recovered. By the end of 1641 the Portuguese silver “Tanga” remained as the unit of account in foreign trade but all official accounts were kept in Dutch Guilders. There was a scarcity of small change during the early years of the Dutch occupation of Malacca. Finally the Dutch authorities in Batavia issued emergency copper ¼ Stiver and ½ Stiver coins of Batavia bearing the date 1644 for use in Malacca as well as Banda and Ceylon. However, the managers of the V.O.C in Holland soon put a stop to this issue. Gradually the Portuguese coins were withdrawn. The only recognized as legal tender were the Spanish 8 Real silver coins and the coinage of the V.O.C. for the use in the Netherlands East Indies, which consisted of Malacca as well as all Dutch possession in Sumatra. The main circulating coinage consisted of Dutch silver Ducatoons, Guilders, Java Rupees and copper Doits for uses small change in the bazaar.

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The Better Days Ahead

Today I have the splendid opportunity to brainstorm with Jason , His father Snr Yoong, Johnny & Roslan on what were installed for http://www.melakatoday.blogspot.com/ ? its directions and positioning etc. with each having their respective roles to contribute….

Firstly, Johnny have verbally concented to withdrawing all his Melaka related banknotes and coins eg. Straits Settlement , Malaya etc . from his fixed deposit boxes to be compiled into web pages for display at this blogspot. Blogger shall have a first time view of many UNC notes and coins!

Next Jason and his father will used their expertise in History and historical evidents to set up a series of designated blogspots eg. Melaka-Portugese , Melaka Dutch VOC , Sultanate Tin Currencies etc.

Next , Roslan will also set up a blogspot to display his Melaka related currency collections. You are in for a real surprise from his collections…….

These series of blogspots , when cross networking together shall form a hugh base for bloggers around the world to navigate into the golden treasures of Melaka- the hidden history and those untold stories that would rock the world civilizations.

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Another Blogspot

Having set up another blogspot i.e. www.melakatoday.blogspot.com to contribute towards my beloved home state in gain entry as World Heritage City .Henceforth i.m gearing up cooperation’s and brainstorming sessions with many distinguish friends and partners of MAM ………

Since Priority with the above mentioned new blogspot ; hope visitors could visit it instead . TQ

Barry

Melaka The Cultural Melting Pot

Like majority of the Chinese community in Melaka, if not Malaysia ; I am a polytheist- as far as religion and everyday lifestyle is concern. I am brought up with the influence of
1. Taoism – emphasises the Return to the Nature,
2. Confucianism – Morality ,
3. Buddhism – Loving Kindness and Compassion, and
4. Ancestor Worshiping – Filial Piety

That’s is not all, brought up in a surrounding with some family members being Christians, distance relatives from wife side being Muslims; couple with Indian Hindus and Portuguese friends; what a community with common shared noble values and tolerance to get on by with daily lives.

If this was anything then consider Melaka during the 15 th Century where this port used to be the busiest port within the Straits of Melaka region – no wonder Straits of MELAKA……….with no less than 80 difference languages being spoken for various trading activities.

Having being colonised by the Portuguese, Dutch, British and 3 yrs 8 months by the Japanese during the Second World War; Melaka had indeed came a long way in pioneering racial harmony and peace thus far………

600 years had passed and Melaka is getting stronger by each passing day, with the steady influx of tourists from around the globe.

At Melaka -the Cultural Melting Pot which could decode our past hidden message alike a time capsule , lets invite the world to visit this fascinating City of Melaka – the Role Modal for World Peace !

Knowing the Past Helps to Shape Our Future.

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