DEED OF CESSION. 125 
right of all sovereigns to seek and to procure for their people 
and subjects ; 
“And being in ourselves unable to procure and provide 
such good and permanent government for our aforesaid people 
and subjects ; 
“ And being, moreover, in ourselves unable to afford to our 
aforesaid people and subjects the due protection and shelter 
from the violence, the oppression, and the tyranny of foreign 
Powers, which it is the duty and the right of all sovereigns to 
afford to their people and subjects ; 
“ And being heavily indebted to the President and Govern- 
ment of the United States of America, the liquidation of which 
indebtedness is pressingly urged, with menaces of severe mea- 
sures against our person, and our sovereignty, and our islands 
and territories aforesaid, unless the aforesaid indebtedness be 
satisfied within a period so limited as to render a compliance 
with the terms of the contract forced upon us utterly impos- 
sible within the said period; this said inability not arising 
from lack of resources within our dominions, but from the 
inefficacy of any endeavours on our part under the existing 
state of affairs in our islands and territories aforesaid, to carry 
out such measures as are necessary for, and would result in, 
the ultimate payment of the aforesaid claims; and having 
maturely deliberated, well weighed, and fully considered, the 
probable results of the course and the measures we now pro- 
pose; and being fully satisfied of the impracticability by any 
other course and measures to avert from our islands and terri- 
tories aforesaid, and our people and subjects aforesaid, the evils 
certain to follow the non-payment of the sum of money de- 
manded from us by the Government of the United States of 
America ; 
“ And being confident of the immediate and progressive 
benefits that will result from the cession herein now made of 
our sovereignty, and our islands and territories aforesaid ; 
“Now know ye, that we do hereby, for and in consideration 
of certain conditions, terms, and engagements, hereinafter set 
forth, make over, transfer, and convey, unto Victoria, by the 
