A.—4

94

V.—Fiji,Friendly Islands, and New Caledonia.

■ Enclosure 2. His Excellency Governor Sir G. Gkey to Captain Maxwell, B.N. Sie, — Government House, Auckland, 23rd December, 1847. In reference to tho instructions which have been issued to you by the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty upon the subject of your visiting the Navigator Islands, I have now, in compliance with the wishes of the Homo Government, the honour to forward the following observations upon the subjects affecting British interests in the Pacific which appear to require immediate attention. In my separate letters upon the questions which had arisen in the Friendly Islands, at Eotuma, and New Caledonia, I detailed the reasons which made me think it of great importance that you should visit those places. I need therefore no further allude to them; but I think it right to add that I also feel extremely anxious that you should, if possible, visit the Fiji Islands. I understand that the Fiji Group contains nearly 300,000 inhabitants. It produces also articles of the greatest importance for cur colonies in Australia and New Zealand, and for which an immediate and extensive demand exists. There appears, therefore, no reason why an important and constantly-increasing trade should not at once bo commenced between these colonies and the Fiji Group, which trade, from the number and inhabitants of the Fiji Islands, and frcm the nature of the articles which would form their imports, would be of considerable*valuo and importance to Great Britain: in fact, their imports would consist almost wholly of British-manufactured goods. I have also information, upon which 1 can rely, that at the present time the Fijians are more favourable to tho English than to any other nation, and that it might be easy to confirm these feelings of attachment, and to securo a predominant influence over them. The Fijian chiefs have also expressly sent to me, begging that they may bo visited by a vessel of war, and declaring their regard for and attachment to the British nation. I fear, therefore, that the fact of your being in the immediate vicinity of these islands and net visiting them might have a bad effect. Again, the other European residents in the Fijis have complained of the misconduct of a British subject there, and have appealed for redress. A prompt answer to this appeal would, I have no doubt, have a beneficial influence over the whole of that part of the Pacific, and would operate as a check upon the misconduct of any other European residents in the neighbouring islands. For the foregoing reasons I therefore feel very anxious that you should, if practicable, visit the Fiji group. The subjects upon which it appears at the present moment especially desirable that you should collect information are— 1. The probable number of natives inhabiting the several groups of islands which you may visit: 2. The probable number of Europeans inhabiting the same islands, and the nations to which they belong: 3. The present nature of the government of the different groups, whether there are any persons with whom a civilized nation could treat, and whether there is any person or body of persons who are generally recognized as exorcising sovereign authority: i. What articles of exports the several islands would afiord, either as natural or cultivated productions : 5. What articles of import they would take in exchange for their exports : 6. W Thethcr any and what means have been adopted for raising a revenue in any of these islands; and, if so, what amount is yearly raised. Many other subjects of interest will doubtless present themselves to you, information regarding which would prove most valuable to tha British Government. I have directed that tho packages of articles named in the enclosed list, intended as presents for the chiefs of the islands you may visit, should, be sent on board the " Dido." One of these packages is addressed to " George," the principal chief of the Tonga Islands ; the others are intended to be distributed in such manner as you may think most proper and most likely to promote the interest of tho service upon which you are proceeding. I have, &c, Captain Maxwell, B.N. G. Gbey. P.S.—I have also enclosed a list by tho Eev. Mr. Lawry of the presents which will be regarded as most valuable in the several islands, and of the quantity of goods which would be regarded as a sufficient present. G. Gbey.

Enclosure 3. Governor Sir G-. Grey to Captain Maxwell, R.N., Senior Officer. Sie, — Government House, Auckland, 23rd December, 1847. I have the honour to transmit for your information copies of the papers named in the margin. You will perceive that these papers relate to an alleged wish upon the pail, of the principal chief of the Friendly Islands, and, as I am informed, of the inhabitants of those islands generally, to place their country under the protection and Government of tho Queen. I am in no way authorized either to entertain or to enter into negotiations of this character, and I apprehend that your powers, as well as my own, extend on such subjects no farther than the general duty of taking such immediate measures as may appear most likely to protect British interests, until we can receive further instructions from the Home Government. It is, however, I think quite clear that you should, if practicable, visit the Friendly Islands and put yourself in communication with the principal chief, doing your utmost to promote and confirm the feelings of friendship and .regard which are at present entertained by those islanders for the British race. Indeed, I think that tho fact of your visiting other islands in the immediate neighbourhood of Tonga, the inhabitants of which have neither such strong claims upon us as those of Tonga, and have not made any similar friendly advances, would, if you neglected to visit the latter island, afford its inhabitants strong grounds of complaint and .annoyance, and might seriously injure British interests in that quarter. I hear that it is by no means improbable that you may meet George, the principal chief of Tonga, in the Navigator Islands, where he has proceeded with the view of endeavouring to terminate a war now prevailing there. In this case it might be in your power to offer him a. passage back to his own country, or to render him some similar service, which might produce a favourable impression upon tho inhabitants of the Friendly Islands. I shall feel much obliged to you if you would be kind enough to deliver to George Tubou the acccompanying letter addressed to him, as also a box containing presents for him, which I have directed to be sent on board the "Dido." I have, &c, Captain Maxwell, B.N. G. Gbey.

Sub-Enclosure. Governor Sir G. Gbey to George Tubou, Nukualopa, Tonga. Sra, — Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 22nd December, 1847. This letter will be delivered to you by Captain Maxwell, of H.M.S. " Dido," who is the offuse§jn command of Her Majesty's ships and vessels on these coasts. I beg that you will communicate to him your wishes, and acquaint him with the mann&r in which I can bo of any future service to you. Captain Maxwell is a personal friend of mine, and I can therefore with confidence recommend you to rely upon his advice, and to trust to his affording you any assistance which he may feel justified in giving. Your letter of the 28th August did not reach me until yesterday. I now lose no time in assuring you of the interest.with which I have watched the progress of your people in Christianity and civilization, and of the sincere pleasure it will afiord me to render you every assistance in promoting their happiness and prosperity.