CORRESPONDENCE relative to Offer of the Sovereignty of the Fiji Islands to Great Britain.*-1859-1861. SIR, No. 1.-Mr. Hammond to Mr. Merivale. Foreign Office, February 18, 1859. I AM directed by the Earl of Malmesbury to transmit to you herewith, to be laid before Secretary Sir Edward Lytton, the enclosed despatch from Mr. Pritchard, Her Majesty's Consul in the Fiji Islands, reporting the proposal of the King of that group to cede his territories to Great Britain, and enclosing a statement of the advantages accruing from the possession of those islands. I am to request that you will move Sir Edward Lytton to favour Lord Malmesbury with his opinion on this subject. H. Merivale, Esq. I am, &c. E. HAMMOND. (Inclosure.)-Mr. Pritchard to the Earl of Malmesbury. MY LORD, Royal Exchange Buildings, London, February 8, 1859. I NOw proceed to lay before your Lordship the circumstances which induced me to assume the responsibility of leaving my post, and waiting personally upon your Lordship. The great importance attaching to the possession of the richest and most extensive group of islands in Western Polynesia, and the weight of the British interests there at stake; together with the measures adopted by other Governments, I conceived required the promptest attention, and as delay in communicating with your Lordship would be detrimental to any action Her Majesty's Government may deem wise to take in reference to the islands in my Consular district, I venture to hope my conduct will be honoured with your Lordship's approval. The document which I have the honour to lay before your Lordship is the voluntary act of the King of the Fiji Islands. By it he cedes his territories and sovereignty to Her Majesty, for certain considerations. I was careful to ascertain whether the King's title is unquestionable, and whether his subjects would willingly acquiesce in the cession. With regard to the former points, Thakombau has been acknowledged by the commanders of English, French, and American vessels of war as King of Fiji; and the French and the American Governments have treaties with him as such. With regard to the latter point, I can assure your Lordship that the people are anxious to become British subjects. Your Lordship will observe that Thakombau and his people do not seek merely a protectorate; they cede the "full sovereignty and *Laid before Parliament, 1862. domain in and over" Fiji to Her Majesty; their object is to become a part of the British Empire, and bona fide British subjects. It is necessary for me to inform your Lordship that the period named for the settlement of the American claims is October of the present year; and hence the necessity for the immediate action to which I have already adverted. With your Lordship's permission, I shall now advance the political importance of Fiji, and secondly, the commercial advantages it offers. The political importance of Fiji arises from its geographical position. Situated on the highway of commerce between Australia and Panama, its capacious and secure harbours, in the possession of an enemy, would afford shelter to an imposing fleet, and a basis for offensive operations against our commerce in the southern seas, and the coast of Australia. In prospect of the immediate establishment of a line of mail steamers from Sydney to Panama, the importance of Fiji as a naval rendezvous is greatly increased. The commercial advantages offered by Fiji originate in its internal and latent resources; its salubrious climate and fertile soil. I would bring most prominently under your Lordship's notice the capability of this group to produce cotton. In compliance with the instructions of Lord Clarendon, I instituted inquiries and made personal observations, in search of information respecting the production of this invaluable article; and I am convinced, my Lord, that as a cotton producing country, Fiji is of the utmost value to Great Britain. Your Lordship will, I doubt not, be surprised to learn that the largest island in the group is about 360 miles in circumference containing some 8,000,000 of acres of rich land, and several large rivers varying from 50 to 200 feet in width, and navigable by small vessels. One of these rivers, named by Commodore Wilkes, of The United States exploring expedition, " Peale's River," was followed in its windings through a fertile country, by the boats of that expedition for a distance of 80 miles. And in passing I would remark, that I am of opinion that it is from the report of that officer to his Government that the attention of The United States has been directed to these islands. The island next in size to the above is some 300 miles in circumference, having also its large rivers and good harbours. There are in all 211 islands. It may be interesting to your Lordship to know that, in Fiji, 9 months after planting, the cotton tree shows its first pod, and then continues to yield without intermission for, 10, 12, or 15 years, as the plant may live. At the same time, and on the same tree, is seen the blossom, the green pod, and the ripe cotton. I have brought with me a sample of the cotton, at present growing at Fiji, which of course, would improve with attention. The sample I have is at your Lordship's disposal. An important consideration in connexion with the cultivation of cotton in these islands, is the fact that there will be no scarcity of labour, for the 200,000 natives, estimated as the population of Fiji, will afford a large supply. Nature contributes every requisite to make its cultivation easy, its growth rapid, and its produce prolific. And since neither mechanical skill nor hard manual labour is required, my knowledge of the native character and habits persuades me the Fijians will turn their whole attention to cotton, in preference to every other employment. But, my Lord, I would observe that notwithstanding all these great advantages, it is only in the security of British protection, that cotton will be cultivated in Fiji. I will refer for one moment, my Lord, to the present state of trade in this group. I can conceive that it will hardly be credited that in American vessels only, from September, 1857, to September, 1858, the imports amounted to 100,000 dollars, and the exports to 160,000. The imports consisted chiefly of dry goods, and hardware, and muskets and powder, and exports are cocoa-nut oil, turtle-shell, and bêche-de-mer. This information I obtained from the American Consul. Had there been any one to note the imports and exports in English vessels, during the same period, I am satisfied the amounts would equal, if not exceed the American trade. There is also a large business done by some German merchants in connexion with Hamburgh. I would mention for your Lordship's information, that coffee, sugar-cane, nutmegs, turmeric, ginger, and indigo, are indigenous to the islands. Antimony is found in the interior; and I am inclined to give credence to the opinion that coal exists on the largest island. In enumerating the productions of Fiji, I should not omit to name the "Kaurie," so well known as the valuable New Zealand pine. It grows to a large size and in extensive forests. There are also many other kinds of timber, available both for house building and ship building, as well as for furniture and ornamental work. Several of the harbours have been surveyed by Captain Denham, of Her Majesty's ship Herald, and the surveys forwarded to the Admiralty. It was to bring the subject thus prominently, and in these various bearings, under your Lordship's notice, and to be at your Lordship's command to render information, that I ventured to leave my post. With regard to minor details, and the force necessary to govern the natives, and the possibility of immediately raising a revenue equal to the cost of such Government, I am prepared to tender my estimates whenever your Lordship may deem it proper. To explain more explicitly the position of Thakombau, and the claims of The United States' Government as set forth in the deed of cession, I should feel honoured by your Lordship granting me an interview. Again expressing the hope that my conduct will be honoured with your Lordship's approval, and awaiting instructions. The Earl of Malmesbury. I have, &c. WILL. T. PRITCHARD. (Inclosure 2.)-Act of Cession of Fiji Islands to Great Britain. October 12, 1858. EBENEZER THAKOMBAU, by the grace of God, Sovereign Chief of Bau and its Dependencies, Vunivalu of the Armies of Fiji and Tui Viti, &c., to all and singular to whom these presents shall come, greeting. Whereas We, being duly, fully, and formally recognized in our aforesaid state, rank, and sovereignty by Great Britain, France, and the United States of America respectively, and having full and exclusive sovereignty and domain in and over the islands and territories constituting, forming, and being included in the group known as Fiji, or Viti; and being desirous to procure for our people and subjects a good and permanent form of government, whereby our aforesaid people and subjects shall enjoy and partake of the benefits, the prosperity, and the happiness which it is the duty and the right of all sovereigns to seek and to procure for their people and subjects; and being in ourselves unable to procure and provide such good and permanent government for our aforesaid people and subjects; and being, moreover, in ourselves unable to afford to our aforesaid people and subjects the due protection and shelter from the violence, the oppression, and the tyranny of Foreign Powers, which it is the duty and the right of all Sovereigns to afford to their people and subjects. And being heavily indebted to the President and Government of the United States of America, the liquidation of which indebtedness is pressingly urged, with menaces of severe measures against our person, and our sovereignty, and our islands and territories aforesaid, unless the aforesaid indebtedness be satisfied within a period so limited as to render a compliance with the terms of the contract forced upon us utterly impossible within the said period, this said inability not arising from lack of resources within our dominions, but from the inefficacy of any endeavours on our part under the existing state of affairs in our islands and territories aforesaid to carry out such measures as are necessary for, and would result in, the ultimate payment of the aforesaid claims; and having maturely deliberated, well weighed, and fully considered the probable results of the course and the measures we now propose, and being fully satisfied of the impracticability, by any other course and measures to avert from our islands and territories aforesaid, and our people and subjects aforesaid, the evils certain to follow the nonpayment of the sum of money demanded from us by the Government of the United States of America; and being confident of the immediate and progressive benefits that will result from the cession herein now made of our sovereignty and our islands and territories aforesaid. Now know ye, that we do hereby, for and in consideration of certain conditions, terms, and engagements hereinafter set forth, make over, transfer, and convey unto Victoria, by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, &c., her heirs and successors for ever, the full sovereignty and domain in and over our aforesaid islands and territories; together with the actual proprietorship and personal ownership in certain pieces or parcels of land as may hereafter be mutually agreed upon by a Commission to consist of two Chiefs from Great Britain and two Chiefs from Fiji, the said Commission to be appointed by the representative of Great Britain in Fiji, who, in cases of dispute, shall himself be umpire; the said pieces or parcels of land to be especially devoted to Government purposes, and to be applied and appropriated in manner and form appertaining to Crown lands in British Colonies, or as the local Government of Fiji, appointed by commission from the aforesaid Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland aforesaid, may deem fit, proper, and necessary for the uses and requirements of the said local Government. Provided always, and this cession of our sovereignty and our islands and territories is on these conditions, terms, and considerations; that is to say, That the aforesaid Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland aforesaid, shall permit us to retain the title and rank of Tui Viti, in so far as the aboriginal population is concerned, and shall permit us to be at the head of the department for governing the aforesaid aboriginal population, acting always under the guidance and by the counsels of the representative of Great Britain, and head of the local government appointed by commission from the aforesaid Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland aforesaid; that the aforesaid Victoria, Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland aforesaid, shall pay the sum of 45,000 dollars unto the President of the United States of America, being the amount of the claim demanded |