THE KING OF TRISTAN D'ACUNHA. 397 



attended me, and procure for us an interest, and pro- 

 perty, by means of which a competence may be ever 

 secured, and remain, if possible, far removed beyond 

 the reach of chicanery and ordinary misfortunes. 



" For the above purpose, I intend paying the 

 strictest attention to husbandry, presuming, where it 

 is known in the world, that refreshments may be 

 obtained at my residence, all vessels, of whatever 

 description, and belonging to whatever nation, will 

 visit me for that purpose, and, by a fair and open 

 traffic, supply themselves with those articles of which 

 they may be in need. 



" And I do hereby invite all those who may want 

 refreshments to call at Reception, where, by laying-by 

 opposite the Cascade, they will be immediately visited 

 by a boat from the shore, and speedily supplied with 

 such things as the islands may produce, at a reason- 

 able price. 



" And be it further known that, by virtue of the 

 aforesaid right and authority above-mentioned, I have 

 adopted a flag. This flag is formed of five diamonds, 

 which shall for ever be the known and acknowledged 

 flag of these islands. 



" And that a white flag shall be known and con- 

 sidered as the common flag for any vessel in the 

 merchant service which may now, or hereafter, be- 

 long to any inhabitants of these islands. 



" And, lastly, be it known that I hold myself and 

 my people, in the course of our traffic and intercourse 



