Colonial Office: Straits Settlements Original Correspondence

CO 273

1838-1946

This series contains original correspondence relating to the Straits Settlements. The first six volumes consist of miscellaneous reports and correspondence transferred from the India Office to the Colonial Office in 1876.

Bound volumes arranged chronologically, and from 1863 within the following subject headings: Despatches (letters of the governors), Offices (letters of government departments and other organisations) and Individuals (arranged alphabetically). Each volume with a contents list, or précis of each letter giving name of correspondent, date of letter and subject matter. From 1926 the correspondence is arranged in subject files.

For earlier correspondence relating to Labuan see CO 144

For later records relating to Singapore see CO 953

Public Record(s)

English

680 files and volumes

Subject to 30 year closure unless otherwise stated

Topics

International

Asia

In 1826 Singapore, Malacca and Penang were united as the Straits Settlements, which were governed by the East India Company. In 1858 control passed from the East India Company to the British government's India Office and in 1867 the Straits Settlements became a crown colony. The Keeling Islands joined the Strait Settlements in 1886, Christmas Island in 1900 and Labuan in 1907. The territory was under Japanese occupation from 1942 to 1945 and under British military administration 1946-1946. In 1946 the Straits Settlements as a single colony were dissolved to form the Malayan Union.