DEED OF CESSION. 125 



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 Govern- 

 ment of the United States of America, the liquidation of which. 

 indebtedness is pressingly urged, with menaces of severe mea- 

 sures 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 impos- 

 sible 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 pro- 

 pose ; and being fully satisfied of the impracticability by any 

 other course and measures to avert from our islands and terri- 

 tories aforesaid, and our people and subjects aforesaid, the evils 

 certain to follow the non-payment of the sum of money de- 

 manded 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 



