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. ^01 with the criminal projects of Europeans before their execution ; and by a timely interference you may be able altogether to prevent their mischievous designs, or render them abortive. In the character which you hold you will be justified in addressing any British subject, to warn him of the danger to which he may be exposed, by embarking or persevering in any undertakmg of a crimi- nal or doubtful nature. In the manner I have now described, and by proceedings of a simi- lar character, it may be possible to repress the enormities which have heretofore been peqjetrated by British subjects in New Zealand. It may also happen that this salutary control wiU not affect British subjects only, but that the knowledge of there being a functionary stationed in New Zealand, through whom offences committed by the subjects of any other State against the people of that country wiU be made known to the British Government, and through that Govern- ment to the other European and American powers, may induce the subjects of those powers to adopt a less licentious conduct towards the New Zealanders, and other inhabitants of the South Sea Islands. There is still another form in which the influence, it is hoped, the British Resident may obtain over the minds of the New Zealand chiefs, may be more beneficially exhibited. It is possible, by your official moderation, that the evils of intestine war between rival chiefs or hostile tribes may be avoided, and their differences peaceably and permanently composed. It is also pos- sible, that at your suggestion, and by the aid of your councils, some approach may be made by the natives towards a settled form of government ; and that by the establishment of some system of juris- prudence among them, their courts may be made to claim the cogni- zance of all crimes committed within their territory : and thus the offending subjects, of whatever state, may be brought to justice by a less circuitous and more efficient process than any which I have been able to point out. If, in addition to the benefits which the British missionaries are conferring on those islanders, by imparting the inestimable blessings of Christian knowledge and a pure system of morals, the Zealanders should obtain through the means of a British functionary, the insti- tutions of courts of justice, established upon a simple and compre- hensive basis, some sufficient compensation would seem to be rendered for the injuries heretofore inflicted by our delinquent countrymen, u