Joshua Ip - Farquhar

Hastings tasked me here to grasp a port just or unjustly, But Javas bust fresh in my past, nobody out here trusts me. Melaka handed back behind his back, so hes the man To back my play, this seasoned hand knows the land like his backhand. Farquhar: Bannerman says, stay in port and on your best behaviour. He doesnt dare to scare the Dutch or err against their favour. Raffles: Hes jealous of the bright ideas of men hotter and braver. Lets claim a dame was pirated, and now we got to save her! Farquhar: I sail down south to make entreaties to the local princelings.

Too late I find them sworn to Holland, long past my convincings. They send reports alleging my intention to explore A British port set in the Carimons or Singapore. Raffles: Well find a better place to meddle with each little legal letter, Dominate the Sunda Strait, with weight far south of the equator, Banca or Semangka? Farquhar: Or maybe Pulau Karimun? Raffles: I want to rule from Bengkulu, thats too far north to carry on. Farquhar: The Dutch hold Riau. What we need is somewhere that they havent found. Raffles: Pulau Karimun, I see.

Lets go down south and look around. Farquhar: After my trip, the Carimons have no deep-water harbour. Its coral reefs from coast to coast, each landing will be harder. But Captain Ross has found a spot that seems a friendly shore The deeper harbour of the ancient city, Singapore. Raffles: Thats under sway of old Johor, the Dutch got to them first. But any chance the local ruler could be twice coerced? Farquhar: Theyve bribed the Johor Sultansecond-born son, Abdul Rahman But his big brother in the fraught succession lives in Bulan.

The younger claim is not as strong as long as long lives Tengku Long. I heard this from my old acquaintance, Singapores own Temenggong. Raffles: This island is desirable. Lets hire this admirable Right royal if hes pliable. His claim is undeniable. We need a deed and regent who will see financial reason: Any Sultan wholl result in treaty and agreement.

Farquhar: Ive spoken to the Temenggong. This Tengku Long will sing our song. Raffles: Lets find him some regalia and crown him Sultan Hussein Shah! Narrator: 6 February, Raffles and the newly minted Sultan With Farquhar and the Temenggong sign papers that result in A British port. The lease is short. Scant more than a square mile. But only ceremonial shot rang over this fair isle; Some conquer with their cannon, some men steal at point of sword And some embark on larceny with nicely pointed words