Anglo-Dutch Treaty Of 1824

Event Date : 17-03-1824 Print

On this day in 1824, a treaty was signed between the English and the Dutch. The treaty, better known as the
Anglo-Dutch Treaty of 1824 covered the division of colonised land and trading centres. On matters pertaining
to colonised land, the Dutch surrendered Malacca and its territories to the English. The Dutch also agreed to
not occupy any parts of the Malay Peninsula or sign any treaty with any ruler, dignitary or Malay state and
abolished all its claims on the Malay Peninsula. The Dutch also acknowledged the English occupation in
Singapore and retracted all of its protests towards it. The Dutch was also required to surrender all of its
factories in India and retract all of its claims on the facilities and exemptions. The English, on the other hand,
was to retreat from Sumatra and surrender Bencoolen and all of its assets in Sumatra to the Dutch in
exchange for Malacca. The Dutch would also not make any agreements with any ruler or dignitary, or occupy
any parts of Sumatra. The English was also not allowed to occupy any parts or make agreements with any
party from the Karimon Isles, Rhio-Lingga Peninsula and any island in the southern Straits of Singapore. Both
powers agreed not to occupy any new place without each other’s knowledge and in the event either party
wished to retreat from any of its territory, it should give the other party a chance to occupy the said place.
With regard to trading matters, the Dutch was given the rights to monopolise the Spice Isles but definitely not
in the Malay Peninsula; the monopoly agreements could not be made with any other party. Both sides agreed
to grant each other the most favoured nation treatment in Ceylon, India and the Malay Peninsula. The Dutch
was to end the tin monopoly agreement with Perak and Selangor. Local traders would be allowed to trade at
ports belonging to both sides and also other local ports. Both parties must also work together to eradicate
pirate activities. As a result of this treaty, the entire archipelago fell under the full control of these two powers
and had been divided according to the areas under their influence. Both parties agreed to use the Straits of
Singapore as the border that defined their areas. While the north side of the Straits of Singapore was placed
under the English influence, the south side of the straits was placed under the Dutch. The most affected areas
were the Johore colony, whereby it was arbitrarily divided either to the English or to the Dutch. In this matter,
the Johore ruler had no say to any of the decisions made with regard to his state. Following from this treaty,
the English had control over a prosperous free trading area in the middle of a region which for a long time was
controlled by the Dutch. By controlling the Malay Peninsula and Singapore, the East-West trading route was
wide opened to the English.