May 26, 1856.] AUSTRALIA. 173 



New Caledonia. — From the ' Annales de la Marine et des Colo- 

 nies,' we learn that the French have made a complete investigation 

 of New Caledonia, and have taken possession of the whole island, 

 and caused the sovereignty of France to be acknowledged. 



The loss of a Chinese junk upon D'Entrecasteaux Eeef, New 

 Caledonia, has been the occasion of bringing us better acquainted 

 with that most dangerous reef, and with its vast extent and correct 

 geographical position, by Lieutenant Chimmo, r.n., and with its 

 formation and natural history by Dr. McDonald, the assistant- 

 surgeon of H.M.S. ' Torch,' under Lieutenant Chimmo's command. 



Norfolk Island. — You will have learned from our ' Proceedings ' that 

 Norfolk Island, in a complete state of preparation, and with all its 

 buildings, has been appropriated to the use of the Pitcaim Islanders, 

 who have all consented to be transferred there. The planting a 

 colony consisting of persons of such exemplary moral conduct, and 

 of such uniform piety, may perhaps exercise a beneficial effect 

 upon the other islands of the Pacific within their influence. 



Bonin Isles. — The Benin Islands have obtained some notoriety 

 lately, from the mention which has been made of them by Commo- 

 dore Perry of the United States' Navy, who considers them to be of 

 great importance from their geographical position, and that they may 

 be looked upon as offering to a maritime nation a most *' valuable 

 acquisition." In an early stage of the question this ofiicer claimed 

 them as the property of the United States, under the impression that 

 the group had been visited by an American citizen before the islands 

 were formally taken possession of by myself in 1 827. But having since 

 learned from the Address of our late President, the Earl of EUesmere, 

 that the individual in right of whom he claimed them, was an 

 Englishman, he has generously acknowledged that he was probably 

 misinformed. And here I would leave the matter, except that I 

 think it due to myself to reply to his remark, " that in naming these 

 islands I had very unjustly overlooked the name of Coffin, who had 

 visited the southern part of the group before I had." To this I have 

 only to plead entire ignorance of Captain Coffin ever having visited 

 these islands at all, until I read the remarks of Commodore Perry. 

 The right of possession from priority of discovery is a question of 

 which nations are naturally jealous ; but I trust that not only in re- 

 spect of these islands, but in all other cases, our relations will be 

 such, that our ports will be mutually open for the general benefit of 

 navigation and commerce. 



