New Beginnings for Americans in Singapore By Marc Servos
Those of us who were in Singapore in 2017 – and in some capacity connected with the American Association – remember the Centennial commemoration as being a fairly recent observance. Most of the Centennial’s focus was post-1917 with the Singapore American Newspaper highlighting this celebration throughout the year with articles, (some of which I contributed), covering activities of the American community’s history and Association developments and establishments during the previous 100 years. The January 2017 issue, however, consists of a number of articles on historical American activities prior to and around the time of the founding of the American Association of Malaya as it was initially known. The American Journey in Singapore, written by long-time American expat Jim Baker and published as the year closed as part of the celebration, gives much valued insight on how the American experience manifested. The American presence, not only in Singapore but also in this region even long before Sir Stamford Raffles’ historic arrival in 1819, eventually led to the Association’s establishment.
40 LIVING IN SINGAPORE
Early American Commerce in the Region During the period of Colonial America, Yankee traders as British subjects made their presence with their involvement with the East India Company in the Straits of Malacca going back to the late 17th century. One prominent figure who served as president of the company was Elihu Yale, who was also the biggest benefactor of what is now Yale University. During much of the following century, Colonial American privateers participated in the region during the wars between Britain and France. American commercial activities continued in the Straits after the War for Independence (17751783), but this slowed down during the War of 1812. American commerce resumed its prewar level of involvement after hostilities ended in early 1815, largely with the United Kingdom Commerce and Navigation Treaty between the former foes, which opened British ports for American trade. When East India Company official Stamford Raffles put Singapore under British rule in 1819, Americans were seen as competitors. Now
