The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-17
f 1 j l..

Another Protectorate scheme-The Foreign
Fiiians Want the United States to Protect
Them and Their Flag.
The Melbourne Age publishes the following
documents relating to a proposed protectoratc
over the Fiji Islands by our Government
FIJI, 1869.-To the Honorable the President
of the United States of America-Sir:-1. You
are aware of the political and social condition
of the group of Fiji Islanas, the residents of
which, many of them Americans, but most of
them British, begin to feel the want of the pro-
teetlon of some powerful nation, as well for the
purpose of maintaining their position with the
native authorities as for outward security in
their trade and commerce. 2. 1t has been
mooted, in turn, that France, Prussia, and Ame-
rica contemplated annexation of these islands,
and the consequent excitement and doubt tend
materially to retard our progress. 3. 1t is the
desire OF some of us to govern ourselves in con-
junction with King Thakombau, under the sole
protection of America, and of Others under
the joint protectOrate OF the three powers
above-named and England 4. The con-
nee ion which has hitherto existed between the
native authorities and America, although from
the nature of its creation distastefuF to the
former from the anxieties it has caused, has,
nevertheless, been advantageous, enabling King
Thakombau from the prestige attending your
care of him to keep down native disturbances.
The period is, however, arriving when you will
no longer on your own account require to keep
an eye to the country. s. We, therefore, the
undersigned subscribers, being composed firstly
of residents in the group, and secondly of others
who have identified our fortunes with 1t, ear
nestly pray that you WILL at early date, an
nounce to the world your resolve to extend the
protection of your flag to these islands and
waters permanently. O. The geographical posi-
tion tof the group in the South Pacific Ocean
points to it as being suitable naval and coaling
station in American interests T. The line of
steamers projected to run between San Francisco
and Australia on the opening of the railway
from the former place to New York, will neces-
state the creation of coaling station near to
Australia, and these islands possess the advan-
tage of being equidistant from the latter place,
in the direct track of the steamers about the
same number of miles as the Sandwich Islam Is
are from San Francisco. 8. The exquisite cli-
mate of the Fijis, with their valuable produc-
tions, such as cotton (none finer in the world),
sugar, cocoanut OIL etc., naturally leads re-
hecting and enterprising men to look for
ward to these islands as becoming desirable
residence for both Americans and Europeans,
and the opening up of extended commercial
relations between the United States of America
and Australia, point to their political connec-
tion with the former as being likely to be bene-
fetal to both. Q. We, therefore, again earnestly
express the hope that the prayer of this petition
our own system of self-governmen) nay be
answered in the affirmative. We have the
honor 10 be, sir, your most obedient servants.
(Here follow the signatures.)
UNITED STATES CONSULATE, FIJI, August 81,
1S69.-Frederick Cook, Esq, and others, Levuka,
Fiji-Sirs:--I beg to acknowledge your courtesy
in submitting for my perusal, and herewith to
return the "Petition" to the President of the
United States, praying for the protection of the
United States Government to Fiji. Among the
seventy petitioners whose names are thereunto
attached, recognize men of responsibility and
property, who are bona tide residents of the
country, and who, doubt not, have the general
good of Fiji at heart. / sincerely hope that the
boon you ask may be granted and permanently
secured, and would hall such q consummation of
the efforts now being made by both the local
government of Fiji and foreign residents, as
that most likely to consolidate the peace and
progress of the social, commercial, and material
interests OF this country. l have the honor,
Sirs, to be your most bedient servant.
j. NJ BRowER, u. s. Y. Consul