130 A MISSION TO VITI. 
“Translated by us, before whom the above Chiefs made their 
marks, this 15th day of August, 1860: 
“ James S. H. Royce; Caries WiIsE. 
“T hereby ratify the above cession, Navua, Sept. 4th, 1860. 
« Kurupuapua, (his x mark). 
«Witnesses to signature : 
« BeRTHOLD SEEMANN, Ph.D.; W. T. PrircHarp, Consul.” 
Precisely at eleven o’clock on the morning of the 27th 
of July, the King fired a salute. When arriving at the 
place of meeting, the royal residence, we found the King 
and Queen, both dressed in European fashion, the former 
in a blue uniform, seated on chairs, of which several had 
been arranged in a semicircle for our use. There were 
present, besides Colonel Smythe, Mr. Pritchard and my- 
self, Messrs. Fordham and Collis from the mission, not 
to mention the ladies. Ratu Abel, the King’s eldest 
son, a fine-looking fellow, was absent, but sent for, and 
the chiefs and principal landholders soon dropped in, all 
dressed in native costume. Mr. Fordham interpreted 
for Colonel Smythe, Mr. Charles Wise for Mr. Pritchard. 
I wrote down all at the time, and the following, obtained 
from both sources, may be regarded as a faithful résumé 
of what was spoken :— 
“Tt having been represented to Her Britannic Ma- 
jesty,” said Colonel Smythe, addressing King Cakobau, 
“that the King and Chiefs of Fiji are disposed to 
become British subjects, her Majesty has directed an 
inquiry to be made into the matter, and hear what King 
and Chiefs have to say on the subject, in order that it 
may be reported to her.” 
