Treaty of Amity and Commerce (Siam–UK)
Encyclopedia
A Treaty of Amity and Commerce
that is known in the history of Malaysia as the Burney Treaty
was concluded in the latter part of 1826 by Henry Burney
, an agent of British East India Company
, with King Rama III of Siam. This followed from the inclusion of Siam as nominal British ally in the peace
signed on February 24, 1826, that ended the first Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826). Siam had been approached as a possible ally against her traditional enemy, and a Siamese army was actually equipped, but took no serious part in the war due to ill-feeling and suspicion arising from events in Kedah. Later that year, the Burney Treaty
was successfully concluded in Bangkok
in the reign of Rama III. The treaty acknowledged Siamese claims over the four northern Malay states of Kedah
, Kelantan
, Perlis
and Terengganu
. The treaty further guaranteed British ownership of Penang
and their rights to trade in Kelantan and Terengganu without Siamese interference. The four Malay states were not represented in the treaty negotiation. In 1909, the parties of the agreement signed a new treaty that superseded the 1826 treaty, known as Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
, or the Bangkok Treaty of 1909, which transferred the four Malay states from Siamese to British dominion
.
Treaty of Amity and Commerce
There have been several treaties named the Treaty of Amity and Commerce:* 1778 – Treaty of Amity and Commerce * 1782 – Treaty of Amity and Commerce...
that is known in the history of Malaysia as the Burney Treaty
Burney Treaty
The Burney Treaty, so named after Henry Burney, head emissary from the East India Company, and known in Siamese history as the Treaty of Amity and Commerce , was concluded with King Rama III in the latter part of 1826. This followed Dr...
was concluded in the latter part of 1826 by Henry Burney
Henry Burney
Henry Burney was a British commercial traveller and diplomat for the British East India Company. His parents were Richard Thomas Burney , headmaster of the Orphan School at Kidderpore, and Jane Burney , and he was a nephew of the English writer Frances Burney . On 30 June 1818 at St...
, an agent of British East India Company
British East India Company
The East India Company was an early English joint-stock company that was formed initially for pursuing trade with the East Indies, but that ended up trading mainly with the Indian subcontinent and China...
, with King Rama III of Siam. This followed from the inclusion of Siam as nominal British ally in the peace
Peace treaty
A peace treaty is an agreement between two or more hostile parties, usually countries or governments, that formally ends a state of war between the parties...
signed on February 24, 1826, that ended the first Anglo-Burmese War (1824-1826). Siam had been approached as a possible ally against her traditional enemy, and a Siamese army was actually equipped, but took no serious part in the war due to ill-feeling and suspicion arising from events in Kedah. Later that year, the Burney Treaty
Burney Treaty
The Burney Treaty, so named after Henry Burney, head emissary from the East India Company, and known in Siamese history as the Treaty of Amity and Commerce , was concluded with King Rama III in the latter part of 1826. This followed Dr...
was successfully concluded in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
in the reign of Rama III. The treaty acknowledged Siamese claims over the four northern Malay states of Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
, Kelantan
Kelantan
Kelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Naim, ....
, Perlis
Perlis
Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand on its northern border. It is bordered by the state of Kedah to the south...
and Terengganu
Terengganu
Terengganu is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman...
. The treaty further guaranteed British ownership of Penang
Penang
Penang is a state in Malaysia and the name of its constituent island, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. It is bordered by Kedah in the north and east, and Perak in the south. Penang is the second smallest Malaysian state in area after Perlis, and the...
and their rights to trade in Kelantan and Terengganu without Siamese interference. The four Malay states were not represented in the treaty negotiation. In 1909, the parties of the agreement signed a new treaty that superseded the 1826 treaty, known as Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 or Bangkok Treaty of 1909 was a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Siam signed on March 10, 1909, in Bangkok. Ratifications were exchanged in London on July 9, 1909....
, or the Bangkok Treaty of 1909, which transferred the four Malay states from Siamese to British dominion
Dominion
A dominion, often Dominion, refers to one of a group of autonomous polities that were nominally under British sovereignty, constituting the British Empire and British Commonwealth, beginning in the latter part of the 19th century. They have included Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Newfoundland,...
.