Singapore, the Straits Settlements & the politics of imperial commerce, 1819–1867

This chapter examines the evolution of the system of government of the Straits Settlements from the acquisition by the British of Singapore to the establishment of Crown Colony status. In particular, it explores the extent to which powerful commercial interests shared the system of government and the trajectory of development of Straits governance. It offers insights into how the dominance of commercial interests which were instrumental in the success of Singapore was established early in the colonial period