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

190 APPENDIX. 2. All sovereign power and authority within the territories of the United Tribes of New Zealand is hereby declared to reside entirely, and exclusively, in the hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes in their collective capacity : who also declare that they will not allow any legislative authority separate from themselves in their collective capacity to exist ; nor any functions of government to be exercised within the said territories, unless by persons appointed by them, and acting under the authority of laws regidarly enacted by them in congress assembled. 3. The hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes agree to meet in congress at Waitangi, in the autumn of each year, for the purpose of framing laws for the dispensation of justice, the preservation of peace and good order, and the regulation of trade ; and they cordi- ally invite the southern tribes to lay aside their private animosities, and to consult the safety and welfare of our common country, by joining the confederation of the United Tribes. 4. They also agree to send a copy of this declaration to his Ma- jesty the king of England, to thank him for his acknowledgment of their flag : and in return for the friendship and protection they have she^\^l, and are prepared to shew to such of his subjects as have settled in their country, or resorted to its shores for the purposes of trade, they entreat that he will continue to be the parent of their infant state, and that he will become its protector from all attempts upon its independence. Agreed to unanimously on this 2Sth day of October 1835, in the presence of his Britannic Majesty's Resident. Here follow the signatures, or marks, of thirty-five hereditary chiefs and heads of tribes, which form a fair representation of the tribes of New Zealand, from the North Cape to the latitude of the river Thames. English witnesses, (Signed) Henry Williams, Missionary C. M. S. Geo. Clabke, C. M. S, James C. Clendon, Merchant. Gilbert Maix, Merchant. I certify that the above is a correct copy of the declaration of the chiefs, according to the translation of missionaries who have resided