Correspondence. Pacific Islands, 1824-1905

Component identifier:

Series FO 58

Extent:

117 items

Content Summary:

The pieces filmed by the AJCP from this Series deal with a variety of subjects ranging from British colonial policy in the Pacific, and relations of British representatives with independent island governments, to Great Britain's relations with other European powers regarding annexation of territory. The question of annexation of the Sandwich Islands by both Great Britain and France, the subsequent 'Declaration of Independence of the Sandwich Islands', and later attempts at annexation by the USA are dealt with at length.

The correspondence also deals with Foreign Office instructions, on both administration and policy, to British consular representatives, for example the appointment of a new Consul to New Zealand, and the subsequent signing of the Treaty of Waitangi. There are also reports on trade and missionary activities in the area, representations concerning attacks on British residents, and petitions from native chiefs. Copies of treaties, proclamations and newspaper articles are in many instances attached to despatches.

Early correspondence with the Tahitian Consulate, before Tahiti became a French protectorate in 1843, is also included in this Series. Later correspondence is to be found in FO 27.

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