39^ 



present being so small ; but we have an unanimous assurance of very 

 large ones in future which time must produce. To further this great 

 work we design to assemble all the Rajas and great men to recom- 

 mend to them the planting of Pepper. (Despatch to Court of Mana- 

 gers, Feb. 7, 1703, Vol. V Sumatra Records.) 



On the Company's own plantations slave labour was employed. 

 There are pregnant references in the reports home to the system. 

 Here is one. '* A supply of slaves we entreat your honours would 

 send us (we) being at present reduced to a very small number oc- 

 casioned through the sickness and mortality that has happened this 

 year." (Fort York, Jan. 3, 1705. 6 Sumatra Records Vol. V.) 



Planting in the modern sense of the term did not really com- 

 mence until Penang was occupied. Francis Light, the builder of that 

 particular corner of the Empire, immediately after he had taken 

 possession of the island, set about establishing a system of cultivation 

 with the double purpose of providing an ultimate source of reserves 

 and of creating supplies which would be serviceable for the victu- 

 alling of ships. Almost anyone who would undertake to clear land 

 received a free grant. Under date Nov. 25, 1786, we find Light re- 

 porting to the Governor General in Calcutta as follows : — 



" Captain Scott and Captain Glass and several Malays, Chmese, 

 and Christians have applied for a portion of land ; the subedars &c. 

 and marines likewise expect an indulgence, The Tamuls, a hardy 

 industrious people have sent a deputation for land sufficient for one 

 hundred families." (Straits Settlements Records Vol. I.) 



On Feb. 13, 1788, Light sent the following details in reference to 

 cultivation. 



" A considerable number of fruit trees, coconuts and plantains 

 have been planted lately. The wild hogs, deer and monkeys are our 

 greatest enemies. In one night they destroy the labour of many 

 days." (Straits Settlements Records Vol. III.) 



In a description of Penang's progress communicated in a letter 

 to the Government in Calcutta, Light, (Jan. 14, 1790) wrote : — 



At the Comporn now called Salisbury Plain resides Pornglim 

 Dr. Hakim with 30 families. '~ On the plains are Crayton's Grazing 

 Farm, Messrs Pigou, Raban, My hie, James, Glass and Sergt. Major 

 Greggs Plantations. A little further on the west side of Pinang 

 River, is James Scott's Plantation consisting of 200 oorlongs of newly 

 cleared ground. On the East side of Pinang River is Francis Light's 

 plantation of 200 oorlangs, newly cleared and planted with paddy. 

 Interspersed are several Chinese Gardens that supply the bazaar 

 with greens, brinjalls. Cucumbers, Radishes, Sweet Potatoes, Yams 

 and Pineapples. (Straits Settlements Records, Vol. V.) 



In " an account of lands cleared and cultivated from Teehouse 

 Point to Pinang as taken by Malay measurement in 1796 appear the 

 following European names: — Captain Lownds, 7H Oorlongs or 

 acres, Joan Baptiste, 6^ Oorlongs ; Parkhall, II Oorlongs iNote : The 



