1845.] OFFICIAL DOCUMENT. 69 



employed themselves in sounding the depths of the sea, and measuring 

 the extent of the land. 



That, although among the Englishmen there had been hitherto pro- 

 priety of conduct, among the natives there existed great apprehension ; 

 so much so, that they had neglected their customary occupations, and 

 were in a state of much consequent distress. 



Again; during the fifth month of the present year (June, 1845) 

 the local authorities of the dependencies of Pa-chung and Na Territory 

 (Y-nah-koo), made a similar statement. 



When these reports from first to last reached me, I reflected that our 

 mean country is in an inferior state of cultivation, and of small extent ; 

 all our islands, likewise, are not large, there is no abundance of pro- 

 ductions, and they are scarcely sufficient to maintain life, and when 

 storms and droughts occur, we are reduced to the utmost straights. 



I would therefore petition your Excellency to view the sufferings of 

 our small country with a condescending eye, and in the exercise of 

 that benevolence and tenderness which so well becomes a great nation, 

 in its dealings with one so much its inferior, to desist from sailing round 

 the islands, and the measuring of the territory. So from this country, 

 as a centre, to the most remote of its dependent islets, shall the people 

 at their peaceful occupations, beseech Heaven to shower unnumbered 

 blessings on the heads of their benefactors. 



This is an earnest petition. 



A respectful petition from Ching-yuen-kin, acting Officer, of the 

 Napa Keang Territory. 



Taokwang, twenty-fifth year, seventh month, twentieth day. 



(20th August, 1845.) 



Several considerations naturally arise upon the face of 

 this document. 



In the first instance, we are assured of the subjection 

 of the Meia-co-shimas. In the second, we have the 

 acting Officer in the command of the southern district of 

 Loo-Choo, clearly taking into his own hands the adminis- 

 tration of this affair without allusion to any superior \ 



