POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
101 
“Any neglect or disobedience of these Orders^ will subject the 
offenders to be proceeded against with the utmost rigour of the law, on 
their return thither, (viz. New South Wales;) and, those who shall return 
to England, without first resorting to this place, will be reported to His 
Majesty’s Secretary of State for the Colonies, and such documents trans¬ 
mitted, as will warrant their being equally proceeded against and 
punished.” 
Although the justice and humanity of the governor of 
New South Wales were so distinctly manifested in the 
foregoing Orders^ these regulations were found in- 
sufficient to prevent outrage upon the natives, from the 
masters and crews of vessels visiting the islands j an 
act was therefore passed in the British parliament, in the 
month of June, 18175 entitled, An Act of the 57th of the 
King, for the more effectual punishment of Murders and 
Manslaughters committed in places not within His 
Majesty's dominions." As it is a document important to 
the peace and security of the inhabitants of Polynesia, I 
deem no apology necessary, for inserting it nearly entire. 
In the preamble of the hill, it is stated, 
“That grievous murders and manslaughters had been committed in 
the South Pacific Ocean, as well on the high seas, as on land, in the 
islands of New Zealand and Otaheite, and in other islands, countries, and 
places, not within His Majesty’s dominions, by the masters and crews of 
British ships, and other persons, who have, for the most part, deserted 
from, or left their ships, and have continued to live and reside amongst 
the inhabitants of these islands; whereby great violence has been done, 
and a general scandal and prejudice raised against the name and character 
of British and other European traders: And, whereas, such crimes and 
offences do escape unpunished, by reason of the difficulty of bringing to 
trial the persons guilty thereof: For remedy whereof, be it enacted by 
the King’s most excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of 
the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and the Commons, in this present 
parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, that from and 
