Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2- Appendix): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

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."