384 Life of Sir Stamford Raffles. 



as subjects of European authority ; by tlie abrogation of some of 

 the worst principles and practices that could deform society, and 

 the introduction of means of moral and intellectual advancement, 

 before unknown, or if known long neglected, la this interesting 

 part of the world. 



The principal transactions of the British government in Java, 

 under Mr. Raflles, which we shall proceed briefly to review, as 

 the direct results of his energy and talents for his station, are the 

 following : the total change effected in the revenual concerns of 

 the colony, with the scientific survey of the island and statistical 

 examination of its resources, subservient to that change; the pro- 

 mulgation of a code of judicial regulations founded on the princi- 

 ples of the British constitution, but adapted to the state of society 

 and the peculiar native institutions in Java; the measures taken 

 with the view of securing for Great Britain a paramount influence 

 in the Eastern seas ; and the means adopted in order to obtain a 

 direct commercial intercourse between the British colonics and 

 the Empire of Japan, as a preliminary provision for the transfer of 

 the Tea-trade to that country, in the possible and by some antici- 

 pated event of our exclusion from the ports of China. With the 

 sketch of these measures, will be interwoven an account of the 

 patronage aiTorded to the scientific investigation of the island, and 

 the means taken to promote it, in addition to those already ad- 

 verted to in the history of the Batavian Society, with respect as 

 well to its physical structure and natural productions, as to its 

 antiquities and ancient history ; and a review of the contributions 

 to knowledge thus effected by Mr. Raflles or his agents and friends. 



The political and civil measures above alluded to were re- 

 markably successful, so far as the Supreme Government of India 

 allowed them to be pursued. The utmost energy and decision of 

 character, however, were called for in effecting them, on account 

 of the strenuous and persevering opposition they received, for the 

 space of two years, apparently through a total difference of politi- 

 cal views, from the late IMajor-General Sir R. Rollo Gillespie, — 

 an officer of high military character, who was associated with Mr. 

 Raflles in the government, during that period, as Commander-in- 

 Chief,— and also from two other members of the Council. That 



