Foreign Relations during Lord Hasting: Internal Affairs: The Great Case of Palmer and Co.

Because major events in Central India occupied much attention, only a brief account can be given of other important public affairs during the administration of Lord Hastings, especially foreign policy and internal matters.

Relations with Burma were troubled by repeated disputes that later led to war, but during Hastings’ own tenure he maintained peace through a firm yet conciliatory policy. He strongly wished to avoid unnecessary conflict.

The Burmese, however, believed they had grievances and in 1818 even issued a declaration of war when the Maráthá crisis was at its height.

Their plan failed because before they could act, their expected allies had already been defeated and they themselves suffered reverses against the Siamese.

Hastings dismissed their hostile message as a forgery, thereby avoiding the need to formally answer what he considered an insolent threat.

Around 1818–19, Ceylon was finally subdued, and with help from Indian troops the whole island was brought completely under British authority.

During Lord Minto’s administration, British forces from Bengal had conquered Java, but in 1814 it was restored to the Dutch without securing earlier treaties made with native powers that protected British trade.

The Dutch then tried to exclude foreign rivals from commerce in the eastern archipelago. Had it not been for the efforts of Sir Thomas Raffles in Sumatra, they might have succeeded.

Hastings considered conflict with another European power too serious to decide locally, so he cancelled some of Raffles’ first actions. However, he agreed that Dutch commercial monopoly should be resisted.