SINGAPORE

SINGAPORE, or SINGAPORE, an island in the Straits of Malacca, situate at the extremity of the Peninsula of that name, upon which a British Settlement was formed in 1819, under the enlightened direction of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, the Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen. Of this island, upon which there is a town of the same name, nothing has

Singapore. yet appeared, so far as we know, in the way of description, except some detached notices in periodical publications, particularly in the Asiatic Journal. We are thus unable to give any very distinct or detailed account, either of its situation, extent, or productions. In the interior, its surface is said to exhibit a succession of hills and dales, mostly covered with woods, and affording some fine prospects. The soil is fruitful; the water, a material circumstance, of good quality; the temperature remarkably cool for a tropical region; and the climate has hitherto proved extremely healthy.

The town of Singapore exhibits yet all the appearances of an infant settlement, but it is rapidly extending, and a site for its enlargement is laid out upon a regular plan. It is built near the shore, and the mercantile part of it extends along an inlet of the sea, which penetrates into the interior, and is near 300 feet wide at its mouth; affording every facility for the landing and shipping of goods. The harbour is safe, easily approached, and well sheltered. Several mercantile houses of respectability are already established here; and there seems every reason to believe, that if maintained on the present footing of a Free Port, Singapore will at no distant day become one of the greatest emporiums of the Eastern world. Its situation, in the centre, so to speak, of a vast Archipelago, in a strait through which the vessels of various countries are constantly passing, and within a few days sail of China, clearly points it out as well fitted to become the entrepot of an extensive commerce, equally beneficial to these countries and to Britain. There are several statements to this effect, in the Evidence annexed to the Report of the Select Committee of the House of Lords relative to the Trade with India and China, printed, by order of the House of Commons, in May 1821.

The establishment of a British settlement in Singapore is said to have excited some feelings of jealousy in the older one of Penang, or Prince of Wales' Island; but the Evidence just referred to shows, that if such a feeling exists, it ought to be discouraged and disregarded; for it there appears that a settlement situate farther within the Archipelago than Penang was highly expedient, and that Singapore presented the most eligible situation for founding such a settlement as was wanted. The rapidity of its progress affords, of itself, sufficient proof that the situation was well chosen. "The rapid rise of this important station," says its intelligent founder, in a letter written in 1820, annexed to the above-mentioned Report, "is, perhaps, without a parallel. When I hoisted the British flag, the population scarcely amounted to 200 souls; in three months the number was not less than 3000; and it now exceeds 10,000, principally Chinese. No less than 173 sail of vessels of different descriptions, principally native, arrived and sailed in the course of the first two months; and it already has become a commercial port of importance."

The latest accounts seem to contain additional proofs of the growing importance of this settlement. We copy the annexed statement from the Asiatic Journal for September 1823. (No. 93, p. 245.)

The following is the amount of tonnage, &c. employed in 1822.

Total tonnage 130,629

Number of vessels importing in 1822 1,593
Ditto exporting ditto..... 1,733

Total 3,326

Value of imports in 1822.

Value of exports in 1822.

6,782,538

Not included in official returns ..... 1,713,634

Total amount of imports and exports..... Dollars } 8,496,172

The settlement of Singapore was early disturbed, not merely by the conflicting interests of other British establishments in the East, but by certain pretensions brought forward by the Dutch to the possession of the country, as a dependency of Malacca, over which they claimed sovereignty. The discussions which arose between the British Government and that of the Netherlands, upon this point, have for some time, it is understood, been allowed to rest; and if they should be resumed, it is not very likely that this country will agree to sacrifice an important establishment, to satisfy claims which seem to have no better foundation than the commercial jealousy of the claimants.