Substance of a Minute

important provenance

The copy of Hugh Elliot (1752-1830), Governor of the Leeward Islands in the British West Indies from 1809 to 1814 and Governor of Madras from 1814 to 1820, 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 Raffles was removed as a result of the Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1814 which handed Java back to the Dutch, and he produced the present work as part of his defence against allegations of financial misconduct. Raffles' methods would ultimately be vindicated with his establishment of the colony at Singapore and its subsequent success.

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