APPENDIX. 429 



tices would be put into immediate execution. For this service, 

 and for the general support of the Government, a force of not 

 less than the wing of a regiment would be required, in addition 

 to a ship of war, with a tender of light draught, both steamers. 

 The expenses of a civil establishment, composed on a sufficient 

 scale to act efficiently on the condition of the natives, would pro- 

 bably not fall short of 7000 a year. The only mode of raising 

 a revenue would appear to be by a capitation tax ; customs duties 

 would be so small as not to cover the cost of collection, if the 

 importation of ardent spirits were prohibited (see p. 81), as a 

 regard for the welfare of the natives would imperatively demand. 

 Tor many years the Government would be necessitated to accept 

 the tax in kind, as the natives have no circulating medium of 

 exchange ; and a still longer period would elapse before the is- 

 lands became self-supporting. Looking solely at the interests of 

 civilization, the forcible and immediate suppression of the bar- 

 barous practices of the heathen portion of the population might 

 appear a very desirable act ; yet, in beneficial influence on the 

 native character, it might prove less real and permanent than the 

 more gradual operation of missionary teaching. The success 

 which has attended the missionaries in Fiji has been very re- 

 markable, and presents every prospect of continuance. The prin- 

 cipal tribes at present without missionaries or native teachers 

 are willing to receive them, and there appears nothing wanting 

 but time and a sufficiency of instructors to render the whole of 

 the inhabitants professing Christians. Judging from the present 

 state of the Sandwich Islands, and the former condition of Ta- 

 hiti, it would seem that the resources of the Pacific Islands can 

 be best developed, and the welfare of their inhabitants secured, 

 by a native government aided by the counsels of respectable 

 Europeans. 



On a review of the foregoing considerations, and the conclu- 

 sions derived from a personal examination of the islands and the 

 people, I am of opinion that it would not be expedient that Her 

 Majesty 's Government should accept the offer which has been 

 made to cede to Her Majesty the sovereignty over the Fiji : 

 Islands. 



Having thus stated the conclusion to which my inquiries have 



