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

200 APPENDIX. the master and crew of any British ship or vessel, or by any British subject hving there ; and all persons convicted of such offences may. be punished as if the offence had been committed in England. The law having thus given the court the power to hear and determine offences, it follows, as a necessary incident, that it has the power of bringing before it any person against whom any indictment should be found, or information filed, for any offences within its jurisdiction. I would here observe, that I can propose no other means by which you can secure the offender, than the procuring his apprehension and deUvery on board some British ship, for conveyance to this country, by means of the native chiefs with whom you shall be in communi- cation. It is weU known, that amongst those Europeans who are lead- ing a wandering and irregular life at New Zealand, are to be found transported felons, and offenders, escaped from this colony and Van Diemen's Land. It is desirable that opportunities for the apprehen- sion and transmission of those convicts to either colony should be promptly embraced. The chiefs are, it is said, well acquainted with the descriptions of the different Europeans residing in their country, and wiU be found able and wilhng to point cut and secure, at a convenient time, those whom they know to be fugitives from the Austrahan colonies. You will be furnished from the office of the principal superintendant, with the names and descriptions of those convicts from New South Wales who are known or suspected to be concealed in the islands of New Zealand ; and you wiU use your discretion as to the fittest time for causing their apprehension, and removal of such as may be within your reach, or are guilty of any offence against the peace and tranquillity of the coimtry. You vidll, of course, take every precaution to avoid the apprehension of a free person in mistake for a convict, as an action for damages would probably follow the commission of such an eiTor. This government vsdll indeed be disposed to save you harmless in all such cases, where becoming circumspection has been used. When any of his Majesty's ships are off the coast, you will request the commander to receive the convict, or other person, arrested by your means, for conveyance to tliis place. I would further observe, that, by means of the information which you are likely to receive from the chiefs, you may become acquainted