ABSTRACT
T h e disaster that had overtaken Herbert’s settlement on Balam bangan did not terminate the East India Company’s ambitions to establish an emporium in the Eastern Islands. In the first place, Dalrymple’s theories had become official policy and the Company was now alive to £the infinite Emolument the vicinity to China and the Exclusive Vent of Cotton Cloths in the Eastern Islands would yield’ .1 Furthermore, this seemed a favourable moment in which to pursue an expansionist policy in this area, at a time when the growth of the Company’s maritime forces was in sharp contrast to the decline of Dutch and Spanish sea-power.2
