Wikipedia
In 1865, the United States Consul to Brunei, Charles Lee
Moses, obtained a 10-year lease for the territory of North Borneo from the
Sultan of Brunei. However, the post-Civil War United States wanted nothing to
do with Asian colonies, so Moses sold his rights to the Hong Kong-based
American Trading Company of Borneo owned by Joseph William Torrey, Thomas
Bradley Harris, Tat Cheong and possibly other Chinese merchants. Torrey began a
settlement at the Kimanis River mouth, which he named Ellena. Attempts to find
financial backing for the settlement were futile, and disease, death and desertion
by the immigrant labourers led to the abandonment of the settlement towards the
end of 1866. Harris died in 1866 and Torrey returned to America in 1877. He
died in Boston, Massachusetts, in March 1884.
With the imminent termination of the lease at hand in
January 1875, Torrey managed to sell his rights to the Consul of the
Austro-Hungarian Empire in Hong Kong, Baron Gustav von Overbeck. Von Overbeck
managed to get a 10-year renewal of the lease from the Temenggong of Brunei,
and a similar treaty from the Sultan of Sulu on 22 January 1878. To finance his
plans for North Borneo, Overbeck found financial backing from the Dent brothers
(Alfred and Edward). However, he was unable to interest his government in the
territory. After efforts to sell the territory to Italy for use as a penal
colony, von Overbeck withdrew in 1880, leaving Alfred Dent in control. Dent was
supported by Sir Rutherford Alcock, and Admiral Sir Harry Keppel. In July 1881,
Alfred Dent and his brother formed the British North Borneo Provisional
Association Ltd and obtained an official Royal Charter 1 November the same
year. In May 1882, the North Borneo Chartered Company replaced the Provisional
Association. Sir Rutherford Alcock became the first President, and Alfred Dent
became Managing director. In spite of some diplomatic protests by the Dutch,
Spanish and Sarawak governments, the North Borneo Chartered Company proceeded
to organise settlement and administration of the territory.
The company subsequently acquired further sovereign and
territorial rights from the sultan of Brunei, expanding the territory under
control to the Putatan river (May 1884), the Padas district (November 1884),
the Kawang river (February 1885), the Mantanani Islands (April 1885), and
additional minor Padas territories (March 1898). The company also established a
foundation for economic growth in North Borneo by restoring peace to a land
where piracy and tribal feuds had grown rampant. It abolished slavery and set
up transport, health and education services for the people. Chinese immigrants
were wooed to boost the small population of less than 100,000. Through the
combined effort of the locals and immigrants, towns, farms, a timber industry,
tobacco and rubber plantations began to thrive.
Charles Lee Moses been given a permission by the Sultanate of Brunei to operating from the entire northern portion of the island of Borneo from Sulaman on the west to river Pietan on the East and the states of Paitan, Sugot, Banggayan, Labuk, Sandakan, China Bantangan, Gagayan Mumiang, Benuni and Kimanis, together with the islands of Banguey, Palawan and Balabao on 24 November 1865.
To all nations on the face of the earth whom these matters
may concern We Abdul Mumin Ebn Marhoum Maulana Abdul Wahab Sultan of Borneo
send greeting. Whereas we have seen fit to grant unto our trusty and
well-beloved friend Charles Lee Moses Consul of the United States of America
certain portions of the dominions owned by us, comprising the entire northern
portion of the Island of Borneo from Sulaman on the west to river Pietan on the
East and the states of Paitan, Sugot, Banggayan, Labuk, Sandakan, China
Bantangan, Gagayan Mumiang, Benuni and Kimanis, together with the islands of
Banguey, Palawan and Balabao for certain considerations between us agreed. And
whereas the said Charles Lee Moses has transferred unto his partners in the
“American Trading Company of Borneo” all the rights and privileges conferred
upon him under such grant requesting that the authority may be vested in the
above named partners: - Now therefore know ye, that we, the Sultan Abdul Mumin
Mumin Ebn Marhoum Maulana Abdul Wahab have nominated and appointed,
mantaf blog nya, salam blogger borneo
ReplyDeleteterima kasih... salam blogger
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