AUCKLAND CHRONICLE. Wednesday, January 25, 1843. THE FRENCH AT TAHITI.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 1, Issue 17, 25 January 1843, Page 2

AUCKLAND CHRONICLE. Wednesday, January 25, 1843. THE FRENCH AT TAHITI.

y\y ntimber of the "Chronicle," ; _ jlished,from information received .rough a private source, the particuj{ s of the "French Aggression at Tahiti," and promised to refer to the subject The question is so ably dealt with in an article in the Sydney Morning Herald, of December 3, that we make no apology for substituting the following extracts, as more illustrative of the subject than any remarks of our own. "For some' years past," our contemToorary truly observes, "the French ha- c manifested a feverish ambition to elFect a colonial setUeftient in these seas, with a view, no doubt, to compete with Great Britain in the sovereignty ' of Polynesia."—The Herald then enters njsblru comparison of the proceedings of England and France in the work of recent colonization/ and of "the manner in which the one nation assumed the sovereignty of New Zealand, and of the manner in which the other is now endeavouring to assume that of the Society Islands." On the subject of the colonization of New Zealand, the readers of the Chronicle do not now require to be informed; but we perfectly agree with our contemporary in askings "Whatis the duty of England with regard.to the recent outrage at Tahiti ?" They have adopted, in a considerable degree, English habits ; have embraced that Protestant Christianity taught them by English Missionaries ; have incorporated with tb' J» 'aw the leading principles of British jurisprudence; and ' hav«4ong carried on an extensive and uninterrupted commerce with the British settlements of Australia. England is, therefore, their natural ally and prois bound, in consideration of wha* uiay be called these providen-

tial ties, to interpose between them and the ruthless oppressors who are now seeking to conquer and ens'ave them. "Happily," our influential contemporary observes, "England is bound to vindicate the insulted sovereignty of Queen Pomare, not only on general principles, but by her own solemn pledge; and we rejoice to, have it in our power to place this fact beyond all doubts." " The late King Pomare had long been anxious that the friendly relation subsisting between his country and England should be strengthened and perpetuated by some formal act of mutual recognition. To this end, he wrote a letter, 17 years ago, to his late Majesty King George the Fourth, soliciting his Majesty's friendship and protection, and requesting permission to use the British Flag. This communication was forwarded by Mr. Nott, on the occasion of that worthy missionary visiting his native country; and the following was the reply of the Minister for Foreign Affairs:-

Foreign Office, "London, March 3,1827. '"Sir, —The Missionary, Mr. Henry Nott, has delivered to me the letter which you addressed to the King, my master, on the sth October, 1825, soliciting His Majesty's friendship and protection, and also requesting permission to use the British flag. "I have hastened to lay your letter before the King, and have received His Majesty's commands to acquaint you, that while His Majesty feeis every disposition to comply with your wishes, as far as His Majesty can do so with propriety, he regrets that, consistently with the usages established among the nations of Europe, it would be improper to grant the permission sou solicit to use the British flag. "His Majesty, however, commands me to sav, that although the customs of Europe forbid his according to your wishes in this respect, he will be happy to afford to yourself, and to your dominions, all such protection as His Majesty can grant to a friendly Power at so remote a distance from his own kingdom. " His Majesty has derived much pleasure from the various accounts which have reached this country, of the beneficial change which has taken place in the moral and social state of the islands under your government, and of the progressive advancement of your subjects in civilization, through the introduction of the Christain religion by means of the Missionaries sent out from Great Britain. His Majesty trusts that the benefits which ha- e been thu9, through the exertions of the Missionaries, derived from that religion, may be long continued to your dominions and people.

"Ihave committed this letter to the charge 6'F Mr. Nott, who is about to return to Tahiti; he will present it to you, and w T ill assure you more fully of the friendly dispositions entertained to wards you by the King my master. " In conclusion, I recommend you to the protection of the Almighty.

" Your faithful friend, "George Canning. "To Pomare, Chief of the Island of Tahiti, &c„ &c, &c." "The original of this valuable document ought now to have been in the hands of the poor Queen, for it would have encouraged her to appeal with confidence to the protection of Queen Victoria. But unfortunately it was brought away from the Is ands, many years ago, by a gentleman now resident in Sydney, and is not at present to be found, having been lost or mis ! aid. It is, however, on record in the Foreign Office in London; and the friends of Pomare ought to lose no time in bringing before the Secretary for Foreign Affairs the fact of such a pledge having been given, that so Her Majesty's Government may be induced to interpose the more firmly and the more promptly in counteracting the despotic aggressions' of France.

These are documents too important to be overlooked or neglected ; and we shall fyv to the subject in our next, Th** ..ftion assumed by the French at A, aroa, situate at Banks' Peninsula, (Middi Island,) will a'so claim our atentiorA