APPENDIX. 195 



ledged the sovereignty of the chiefs of New Zealand in their col- 

 lective capacity, by the recognition of their flag, permit his humble 

 and confiding aUies to be deprived of their independence upon such 

 pretensions. 



But, although the British Resident is of opinion that such an 

 attempt as is now announced must ultimately fail, he, nevertheless, 

 conceives, that if such a person were once allowed to obtain a foot- 

 ing in the country, he might acquire such an influence over the 

 simple-minded native as would produce effects which could not be 

 too much deprecated or too anxiously provided against ; and he has 

 therefore considered it his duty to request the British settlers of all 

 classes, to use all the influence they possess vsdth the natives of 

 every rank, in order to counteract the efforts of any emissaries which 

 may have arrived or may arrive amongst them : and to inspire both 

 chiefs and people with a spirit of the most determined resistance to 

 the landing of a person on their shores, who comes with the avowed 

 intention of usurping a sovereignty over them. 



The British Resident will take immediate steps for calUng toge- 

 ther the native chiefs, in order to inform them of this proposed 

 attempt upon their independence, and to advise them of what is due 

 to themselves and to their country, and of the protection which 

 British subjects are entitled to at their hands. And he has no doubt 

 that such a manifestation will be exhibited of the characteristic 

 spirit, courage, and independence of the New Zealanders as will stop 

 at the outset such an attempt upon their hberties by demonstrating 

 its utter hopelessness. 



James Busby, 

 British Residency, at New Zealand, British Resident. 



Bay of Islands, 10th Oct. 1835. 



No. 36. 



Declaration of the Independence of New Zealand. 



1 . We the hereditary chiefs and heads of the tribes of the northern 

 parts of New Zealand, being assembled at Waitangi in the Bay of 

 Islands, on this 28th day of October 1835, declare the Indepen- 

 dence of our country ; which is hereby constituted and declared to 

 bean independent state, under the designation of "The United 

 Tribes of New Zealand." 



