O MEMOIR OF CAPTAIN LIGHT. 



''the expense of building, &c. I arrived here in July, 1786. 

 " It is now almost two years, but the inhabitauts have not 

 " slept in their houses more than iwelve months. I should 

 " not have scrupled to give my word to them that they would 

 " not be taxed in three years, but as the necessities of gov- 

 '^ernment will not .admit of a delay, I offer the following 

 '' modes to your Lordship's consideration." He suggests 

 twelve possible methods for raising revenue, including 

 ground-rent on houses, shop-tax on retailers, a spirit farm, 

 duties on alienation and succession, and import duties on 

 foreign goods. The Government approved of these, but con- 

 sented to postpone the evil day. Later on, however, in 1801, 

 Penang became a "customs port;" and was not set free from 

 this obstruction to its trade till 1826. 



In 1789, Captain LiGHT went to Calcutta, and was closely 

 questioned by the Government as to the capabilities of Pe- 

 nang Thus challenged, he proved equal to the occasion, and 

 eulogised his Settlement in a voluminous reply. He con- 

 cludes a despatch by the following optimistic summary of 

 such advantages as, he says, are visible and undeniable : — 



" I. A harbour with good anchorage, secured from bad 

 ''weather and capable of containing any number of vessels. 



*"' 2. An island well watered, of excellent soil, capable of 

 " sustaining 50,000 people and abounding in all necessary ma- 

 '' terials for their service and security. 



" 3. A port favourable to commerce, the present imports 

 '^ amounting to upwards of $600,000 per annum. 



''4. A place of refuge for merchant ships where they may 

 " refit and be supplied with provisions, wood and water, and 

 " protected from the insults of enemies. 



" 5. An emporium centrally situated where the merchants 

 ''of all nations may conveniently meet and exchange their 

 "commodities." 



Light's instincts were true ; yet he failed to convince his 

 Government, and for many years the life of Penang hung on 

 a thread ; indeed it was not till recently that revenue began 

 to cover expenditure, and that our founder's forecast was jus- 

 tified in this respect. 



