W. G.
Lawes. To Boevagi, the chief of the Port Moresby tribe, was entrusted
the responsibility of upholding the authority and dignity of England in
the island. He was presented with an ebony stick, into the top of which
had been let a florin, with the Queen's head uppermost. Mr. Lawes
conveyed to Boevagi the meaning of the Commodore's words when he gave the
stick. "I present you with this stick, which is to be an emblem of your
authority; and all the tribes who are represented by the chiefs here are
to look to the holder of this stick. Boevagi, this stick represents the
Queen of England, and if at any time any of the people of these tribes
have any grievance or anything to say, they are, through the holder of
this stick, to make it known to the Queen's officers, in order that it
may be inquired into."
The formal protectorate was announced in the following terms:--
"To all to whom these presents shall come, greeting:--Whereas it has
become essential for the lives and properties of the native inhabitants
of New Guinea, and for the purpose of preventing the occupation of
portions of that country by persons whose proceedings, unsanctioned by
any lawful authority, might tend to injustice, strife, and bloodshed, and
who, under the pretence of legitimate trade and intercourse, might
endanger the liberties and possess themselves of the lands of such native
inhabitants, that a British protectorate should be established over a
certain portion of such country and the islands adjacent thereto; and
whereas Her Majesty, having taken into her gracious consideration the
urgent necessity of her protection to such inhabitants, has directed me
to proclaim such protection in a formal manner at this place,--now I,
James Elphinstone Erskine, Captain in the Royal Navy and Commodore of the
Australian Station, one of Her Majesty's naval aides-de-camp, do hereby,
in the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty, declare and proclaim the
establishment of such protectorate over such portions of the coast and
the adjacent islands as is more particularly described in the schedule
hereunto annexed; and I hereby proclaim and declare that no acquisition
of land, whensoever or howsoever acquired, within the limits of the
protectorate hereby established will be recognized by Her Majesty; and I
do hereby, on behalf of Her Majesty, command and enjoin all persons whom
it may concern to take notice of this proclamation.
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