The Origins of British Borneo

The Death of Raja Brooke in 1868 and the succession of his nephew Charles Johnson Brooke marked a change of emphasis in British policy in Borneo. In this regard two factors were at play. Firstly, the improved economic condition of Sarawak convinced Raja Charles that the country could continue independently. There seemed little hope of a British protectorate in the immediate future, and Brooke was not inclined, as his uncle had been, to seek a foreign protector. Secondly, and partly motivated by the stability of Sarawak, the centre of attention now moved up the coast to Brunei.

In granting a charter to the British North Borneo Company Britain found herself the sponsor of a handful of colonial administrators in a sparsely populated jungle area the size of Ireland. In the summer of 1881 William Treacher was loaned by the Colonial Office to become the first Governor of North Borneo. He made Labuan the temporary headquarters of his government. The Provisional Association in London wanted Labuan for the headquarters of the new government and urged the Colonial Office to turn over the colony to the Company.

Condition: light dust/faint spotting to closed page edges; very faint pencil smudge to front endpaper. A very good dustjacket with rubbing/tiny nicks to spine ends and corners; dust/smudges; very faint spotting to rear panel; price intact. A tight copy. Hong Kong University Press. 1970