68 Transactions.— Miscellaneous. 
Whether France claims sovereignty over any other groups of islands is 
uncertain. Her right to claim anything at all is a matter of dispute. The 
manner in which the protectorate. was established over Tahiti was quite 
unworthy of a great nation. New Caledonia was taken possession of with- 
out even the nominal consent of the native population. They hardly knew 
anything of the circumstance. The treaty made with Admiral du Petit 
Thuars, by which France claims the sovereignty of the Marquesas, is no 
doubt a curious document. Neither were the interests of the many Pro- 
testant missionaries, the only foreigners who could well claim any interest, 
considered. The-natives generally knew nothing of France; had never 
committed any offence against that Government, and did not desire its 
interference. They had been accustomed to regard England and the 
English as their friends, and next to England, America. English mis- 
sionaries, English men-of-war, and English traders were always beside them, 
and many American whalers. Of France they were utterly ignorant; but 
they were powerless. The English Government did not think it necessary 
to support the Queen's subjects resident in the islands, and France acted as 
she pleased. It must be very mortifying to our missionaries to see so much 
of their labour completely thrown away. After devoting many years to 
the Loyalty Group—after rendering those islands habitable— France steps 
in and reaps the advantage. Our clergymen have to leave the group, for 
although France professes the greatest religious tolerance, their stay is 
useless. The Roman Catholic missionaries will not work amicably with 
Protestant clergymen, and as the first receive the active support of the 
Government, the second had better leave the field. "The New Hebrides are 
about 150 miles from New Caledonia. Nearly every island in the group 
has been stained with the blood of English missionaries. Sydney and New 
Zealand traders have opened up the resources ofthe group, and a few English- 
men are settled there. France may claim the New Hebrides, and the 
English Government may allow her to quietly take possession of that which 
British energy has rendered valuable; but England would be hardly acting 
fairly either to the natives or to English subjects. 
In the case of New Caledonia, the action of the home Government is 
 searcely to be admired. In 1774, as I have already remarked, New Cale- 
donia was discovered by Cook, who so named it in consequence of its 
resemblance to Scotland. It was duly taken possession of for George III., 
and was at one time included either in the commission of the Governor of 
New South Wales, or in that of Sir George Grey's commission as Governor 
of New Zealand. In 1854 the French took possession. Hearing that 
military barracks, etc., were being erected, Sir George Grey went down and 
informed the French Admiral that New Caledonia was British territory. 
