Substance of a Minute

A fine copy of this rare official report produced by Raffles on his departure from the post of lieutenant-governor of Java.

Raffles became lieutenant-governor of Java in 1811, and governor of Sumatra shortly thereafter, gaining renown for his benevolence and his opposition to the slave and opium trades. He brought his administrative experience to bear in Java 'by establishing a connection with the peasantry, by removing, as much as practicable, all restrictions on their trade and industry... and by combining the acknowledged principles of European legislature with the peculiar usages and customs of the country, to introduce a uniform and general system throughout, calculated to draw forth the extensive resources of this colony and to advance the wealth and happiness of its numerous population.'

Despite this he was removed following the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 which handed Java over back to the Dutch, and produced the present work as part of his defence against allegations of financial misconduct. His methods would ultimately be vindicated with his establishment of the colony at Singapore and its subsequent success.

First edition; 4to (30 x 24 cm); armorial bookplate to front pastedown, contemporary half blue morocco, marbled boards, a fine copy; vi, 293 pp.

C. Day, The Policy and Administration of the Dutch in Java, 1904, pp. 179-180.