In late 1818, Lord Hastings gave approval to Sir Stamford Raffles to establish a trading station. On 29 January 1819, Raffles landed on Singapore. On 6 February 1819, a formal treaty was concluded with Sultan Hussein of Johor and the Temenggong. By 1824, the population had grown from 150 to 10,000. In 1832, Singapore became the centre of government for the Straits Settlements. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 increased Singapore's importance as a centre for trade between East and West.
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