18 Facts About George Caunter

At various times Caunter further held the offices of marine storekeeper, master attendant, Chief Magistrate, Treasurer and Chaplain in Penang.

George Caunter became friendly with East India Company official John Shore, the later Baron Teignmouth, and accompanied him to the East.

George Caunter managed to resolve the situation amicably and obtained a release of the vessels.

George Caunter was suspicious especially of the faction of James Scott, the business partner of the late founder of the British settlement in the island, Captain Francis Light.

George Caunter took several persons into custody whom he suspected of conspiring to set up a jurisdiction independent of the East India Company, to go on trial when MacDonald returned.

George Caunter was First Assistant in Leith's Government, with Philip Manington Jnr as Second Assistant; in addition, Leith appointed George Caunter Lay Chaplain in May 1800.

Shortly after George Caunter handed over the Government of the island to Leith, the latter appointed him to negotiate the cession of a coastal strip of land on the mainland called Seberang Perai.

George Caunter travelled to Perlis, the place of residence of the Sultan, or Raja Muda of Perlis and Kedah as he was styled, and conveyed a letter and presents on behalf of Leith.

George Caunter spoke with the Sultan's confidential adviser on the subject of the land and was given to understand that the Sultan was disposed to cede it, but that his ministers were opposed to this.

On inquiry, the sum of 2,000 Spanish dollars was named and George Caunter took it upon himself to promise payment of this amount.

George Caunter returned to Britain on the East Indiaman Warley in 1806 to plead his case personally with the East India Company's Board of Directors, offering his services as Superintendent of Police and Magistrate in Penang.

In Penang, George Caunter was additionally appointed chief commissioner of the court of small debts, chairman of the committee of assessors and Acting Chaplain.

George Caunter's doctor recommended that he be sent to the convalescent bungalow on Penang Hill for recuperation.

George Caunter played an important role in encouraging planting of spices, particularly nutmeg, on the island.

Also on George Caunter's estate were 40 clove plants between 3 and 4 feet high.

George Caunter did publish a similar paper, entitled, "An account of the cultivation of Pepper on Prince of Wales Island," which was published in the Asiatic Researches Vol.

George Caunter had built a house on his estate but his house did not survive the way Suffolk House did.

George Caunter's memory was, up until 15 December 2008, kept alive in the area in George Town known as Caunter Hall.