The Blockade of Kedah in 1838 

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Sherard Osborn

In 1838, when he was sixteen, Osborn arrived in Malaya as a midshipman on his first tour of duty. His journal opens with an often cited description of the port of Singapore at the time, but is mainly concerned with a blockade of the state of Kedah on behalf of the Siamese, who occupied the state. (By virtue of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1826, the British considered they had a duty to support Siam against the sultan.) The bulk of the journal covers the period when he was in command of a small gunboat, manned by 40 Malays, with whom he became close. As a result, the main interest of this book is Osborn's sympathetic account of Malay life at the time. Very Good Hardback. Reprint. Originally published in 1857. 360 pages with an introduction by JM Gullick and a pull out map. 

Weight: 0.7 kg Post free within Malaysia

Condition: The original book has been rebound in leather and leatherette with gilt titling on the spine. There is a former owner's smart personal name plate on the inside front cover. There are faint signs of damp on the end papers. Otherwise the binding is tight, text clear and there is mild tanning throughout.