Singapore and the Straits Settlements Described;

the earl of carnarvon's copy of a foundational document of singapore

Rare and important pamphlet that laid the ground work for the establishment of Singapore as an independent colony, and its first constitution, nine years before the Transfer of the Straits Settlements in 1867.

In 1857 the European merchant class of Singapore, under serious stress from the convict and Indian coolie populations amongst the imminent Indian Rebellion, submitted a petition appealing for direct rule to the British Parliament. In response Thomas Braddell (1823-1891), then a humble East India Company Servant stationed in Malacca with aspirations for the Law, wrote this pamphlet addressing the future of Singapore and potential direct rule. Nine years later Braddell would be named the first Attorney-General of the Colony of Singapore, and many of his suggestions in this pamphlet would be adopted as part of Singapore's first Crown Colony constitution.

The pamphlet itself was an important, and timely, piece of statecraft that focussed on one of the main grievances of the previous administration: that of an ineffective legal and judicial framework. The economy of Singapore was relying more and more heavily on independent trade between China and Europe, and theft and gang violence was a considerable barrier to growth. The pamphlet lays out plans for a separate executive council and legislative council, both led by a governor, which was adopted and would go on to underpin the Legislative Assembly of independent Singapore. It also recommends the complete severing of the judicial courts from the colonial government and independent chiefs of justice, a distinction which remains today. There were also smaller suggestions, such as bolstering the police force (in 1850 Singapore had only 12 police officers for a population of 60,000), a separate department of revenue, and the necessity for a dedicated navy. The perspicacity, and the efficiency, with which the pamphlet treats the issues which Singapore faced makes it a document of real importance and authority.

Owned by the 4th Earl of Carnarvon, Henry Herbert (1831-1890), who was at the time Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies under Lord Derby and would have been present for the parliamentary debates on the issue of Singapore direct rule in April of 1858. He would go on to be Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1866-7 and 1874-78.

Rare. Only 4 institutional copies globally (Bristol, Singapore National Library, Yale, Lambeth Palace), and not in BL. We can trace no other copy appearing commercially.

First edition; 8vo (22 x 14.5 cm); preserved front wrapper signed by Earl of Carnarvon, discreet annotations to margins; bound in later paper boards, printed title label to spine, a very good copy; vii, [1], 56 pp.

One hundred years of Singapore. Walter Makepeace, Gilbert E. Brooke, Roland St. John Braddell. Singapore: Oxford University Press. 1991.