284 EXPEDITION TO JAPAN. 



On leaving Napha, tlie reflection naturally euggested itself to the mind of the Commodore as 

 to tlie effect produced upon tlie Lew Cliewans by his visit. It seemed evident that a very 

 marked change had taken place in the deportment of the islanders toward the Americans. 



There was less mystery about them, and some of the spies had thrown off a portion of their 

 reserve. The Lew Chew authorities probably conjectured, and with good cause, that the trouble 

 they had taken in their attempts to deceive the Commodore, with respect to the condition of 

 their government, the poverty of the islands, and the harmless innocence of the people, was 

 futile, and so much labor lost. And accordingly it was found that, although they still adhered, 

 as if by instinct, to their system of deception, they were not quite so ready with their mis- 

 representations. 



But, after all, many allowances should be made for these misgoverned people, who have been, 

 doubtless, taught from infancy to practice duplicity and lying as a necessary part of an accom- 



ARTICLE I. 



"The style of our government shall be the ' Colony of Peel Island.' " 



ARTICLE II. 



" The government shall consist of a chief magistrate, and a council, composed of two persons ; and by virtue of this article, 

 we hereby unanimously elect and appoint Nathaniel Savory, chief magistrate, and James Maitley and Thomas H. Webb, 

 councilmen ; each to hold his said office of chief magistrate and councilman for the period of tvro years from the date of this 

 convention. The said chief magistrate and council shall have power to enact such rules and regulations for the government 

 of this island as to them, from time to time, may appear necessary for the public good ; such rules and regulations, to become 

 bindin" on the residents, must have the approval and concurrence of two-thirds of the whole number of residents. " 



ARTICLE III. 



" Until such time as the chief magistrate and council may be enabled to form a code of regulations, we unanimously ordain 

 and establish the following thirteen sections, under this article, which shall liave full force and effect until the adoption of 

 others, and until the expiration of two years." 



Section 1. 



" It shall be the duty of any and all person or persons having claims and demands against each other, or who shall have any 

 dispute or difficulties between themselves, which they cannot amicably settle, to refer the same to the chief magistrate and 

 council, for adjudication and settlement ; and their decision to be final and binding." 



Section 2. 



" All penalties in this colony shall bo a pecuniary fine ; and no penalty for any offence shall exceed the sum of ." 



Section 3. 



"The chief magistrate and council shall have power to direct the seizure and sale of any property of any offenders, sufficient 

 to pay the same, against whom a fine has been decreed, wherever it may be found within the limits of Peel Island." 



Section 4. 



" It shall be unlawful for any resident, settler, or other person, on the island, to entice anybody to desert from any vessel 

 that may come into this port, or to secrete or harbor any such deserter." 



Section 5. 



" Any person who shall entice, counsel, or aid, any other person to desert from any vessel in this port, or shall harbor or 

 conceal him to prevent his apprehension, shall be liable to a fine, not exceeding |50 (fifty dollars)." 



Section 6. 



" All moneys arising from the levy of fines upon offenders shall be a public fund for the use and behalf of the colony ; and 

 the same shall be placed in the hands of the chief magistrate for safe keeping, and to be appropriated to such public purposes 

 as the chief magistrate and council may deem necessary and proper ; and a correct account of all expenditures of said moneys 

 shall be kept by them, and a statement of receipts and expenditures published at the end of one year." 



Section 7. 



" All public moneys remaining unexpended at the end of one year shall be eijually divided among the present settlers, unless 

 otherwise ordained by a convention of the people." 



