Introduction
On February 13, 1814, Stamford Raffles (1781-1826) in Java wrote to Lord Minto, former Governor-General of India, urging London to pursue a more vigorous trade policy with Japan. Previous trade links had employed Dutch agents, but Raffles believed that Britain would do better by trading directly rather than through European partners.
MY Lord, I now proceed to detail to you the result of our communication with Japan;* in which if we have not obtained complete success, we have at any rate opened the door for future intercourse; and, I trust, at no distant period, for the permanent establishment of the British interests in that quarter.
I was too well informed of the corruptions, and of the degraded state of the Dutch factory, to suppose for a moment that it would be either creditable or advantageous to carry on the trade on its former footing, or through Dutch agents. The information we have now obtained is conclusive on this point; and the very peculiar circumstances, in which we find ourselves placed, dictate the necessity and advantage of a more enlarged policy. The trade heretofore carried on with Batavia forms no criterion by which the extent and value of the trade is to be judged, when a more liberal and upright policy is pursued.*
Raffles was at this time Lieutenant-Governor of Java, which at his instigation had been captured from the Dutch (though in practice from Napoleon’s French Empire, which had annexed the Netherlands) in 1811. His dream was to make Java the centre of a network of British free-trade connections throughout the Far East, but Java was honourably returned to the now liberated Dutch in the same year as Raffles’s letter, 1814. This scotched his plans for Japan; but after taking up a new position as Lieutenant-Governor of Bencoolen (Bengkulu in Sumatra, Indonesia) he responded with characteristic determination by creating a brand new settlement at Singapore — which worked out rather well.
Batavia was the capital of the Dutch East Indies, and is now Jakarta, Indonesia. Founded by the Dutch in 1619, it was occupied by the Japanese in 1942 during the Second World War. Full independence for the new country of Indonesia was achieved in 1949.
Précis
In 1814, Stamford Raffles wrote in his capacity as Lieutenant-Governor of Java to Lord Minto in London, urging him to use his influence with the Government and change Britain’s trade policy regarding Japan. Hitherto, trade had been carried on through Dutch agents, and in Raffles opinion this was discrediting Britain and denying her the benefits of free trade. (58 / 60 words)
In 1814, Stamford Raffles wrote in his capacity as Lieutenant-Governor of Java to Lord Minto in London, urging him to use his influence with the Government and change Britain’s trade policy regarding Japan. Hitherto, trade had been carried on through Dutch agents, and in Raffles opinion this was discrediting Britain and denying her the benefits of free trade.
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Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, besides, despite, may, ought, unless, whereas, whether.
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Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
What did Raffles want Lord Minto to do?
Suggestion
To get Britain trading directly with Japan. (7 words)
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
Raffles wrote to Lord Minto in 1814. He recommended that Britain trade with Japan directly. He wanted to stop using Dutch agents.