the Imperial Government of Ethiopia agree to afford to each other adequate opportunity for consultation regarding measures falling within the scope of this paragraph. This Agreement shall enter into force on the day it is signed. Signed in duplicate at Addis Ababa this Twentieth day of May, nineteen hundred and forty-nine. For the Imperial Government of Ethiopia Commercial Regulations made by the Kings and Principal Chiefs of the Feejee group of Islands, after full consideration in Council on the Tenth day of June, 1840. ARTICLE 1 All foreign Consuls duly appointed and received in the Feejee group of Islands shall be protected and respected both in their persons and property; and all foreigners obtaining the consent of the Government, and conforming to the laws, shall receive the protection of the King and Chiefs. ARTICLE 2 All foreign vessels shall be received into the ports and harbours of the Feejees for the purpose of obtaining supplies and for commerce, and with their officers and crews, so long as they shall comply with these regulations, and behave themselves peaceably, shall receive the protection of the King and Chiefs. 'These regulations, though perhaps not technically constituting an international agreement, are included because of their historical interest and because "they treat of matters which are frequently the subject of conventions, . . . they undoubtedly were regarded by the native chiefs who signed them as being of a promissory nature; and, indeed, they contain clauses reading somewhat like mutual promises" (4 Miller 279). See 4 Miller 275 for an explanation of various places and dates of signature and for other notes on this document. 'Fiji came under British rule in 1874. ARTICLE 3 The fullest protection shall be given to all foreign ships and vessels which may be wrecked, and any property saved shall be taken possession of by the Master of the Vessel, who will allow a salvage or portion of the property so saved to those who may aid in saving and protecting the same, and no embezzlement will be permitted under any circumstances whatever. The effects of all persons deceased shall be given up to the Consul of the Nation to which they may have belonged. ARTICLE 4 Any person guilty of the crime of Murder upon any foreigner shall be given up without delay to the Commander of any Public Vessel of the Nation to which the deceased may belong, upon his demanding the same, or be punished on shore. ARTICLE 5 Every vessel shall pay a port charge of Three Dollars for Anchorage to the King, before she will be allowed to receive refreshments on board, and shall pay for pilotage in and out the sum of Seven Dollars, before she leaves the harbor; and Pilots shall be appointed subject to the approval of the Consuls. ARTICLE 6 All trading in spirituous liquors, or landing the same is strictly forbidden. Any person offending shall pay a fine of Twenty-five Dollars, and the Vessel to which he belongs shall receive no more refreshments. Any spirituous liquors found on shore shall be seized and destroyed. ARTICLE 7 All deserters from Vessels will be apprehended, and a reward paid of Eight Dollars, viz;-Five Dollars to the person who apprehended him, and Three Dollars to the Chief of the district in which he may be apprehended, on his delivery to the proper officer of the Vessel. No Master shall refuse to receive such deserter under a penalty of Twenty-five Dollars. Deserters taken after the Vessel has sailed shall be delivered up to the Consul to be dealt with as he may think fit. Any person who entices another to desert, secretes a deserter, or in any way assists him shall be subject to a penalty of Five Dollars. ARTICLE 8 Any seaman remaining on shore after Nine o'clock at night, shall be made a prisoner of until the next morning, when he shall be sent on board and shall pay a fine of Five Dollars. ARTICLE 9 Should the Master of any Vessel refuse to comply with any of these regulations, a statement of the case shall be furnished to the Consul of the Nation to which he belongs and redress sought from thence. ARTICLE 10 All Magistrates or Chiefs of Districts, when vessels or boats may visit, shall enforce the regulations and rules relative to the apprehension of Deserters, or pay such a fine as the Principal Chief shall impose. ARTICLE 11 These regulations shall be printed, promulgated, and a Copy furnished to the Master of each vessel visiting these Islands. Done in council by the Principal Kings and Chiefs of the Feejee Group this 10th day of June, A.D., 1840.3 The foregoing rules and regulations having been signed by the King and Chiefs in my presence, and submitted to me, I consider them just and proper, and shall forward to the American government a Copy of the same for the information of all Masters of Vessels visiting the Feejee group of Islands. UNITED STATES SHIP VINCENNES, HARBOUR OF BAU, CHARLES WILKES, Commanding U. States In presence of WILLIAM L. HUDSON Commanding U.S. Ship Peacock CADR. RINGGOLD Commanding U.S. Brig Porpoise R. R. WALDRON U. States' Navy B. VANDERFORD, Pilot 'The Fijian text was signed by all the principal chiefs (4 Miller 279). CLAIMS Engagement signed on board United States sloop of war "John Adams", 7 Miller 283 I, Tui Viti, and Chief of Bau, promise to pay John B. Williams, U.S. Commercial Agent, in twelve months from this date, with interest, Fifteen thousand dollars, in the products of the Feejee Islands, for the destruction of American property, and being the amount demanded of me by Commander Boutwell, Commanding U.S. Ship "John Adams". I likewise pledge myself hereafter to treat all Americans with justice, and kindness, to protect them and their property when they come to, or are cast away on these Islands, and to punish all who maltreat them: unless there be a man of war present: in that case the criminals shall be given up to the Commander, if she be an American. In the abscence of an American man of war, the American Consul shall be consulted in all cases where Americans are interested. I do further promise to abolish the punishment of death, except for the following offences viz Murder, Arson, Cannabalism, and Rape, which must be proved to the satisfaction of three impartial judges; all minor offences shall be punished by hard labor. I further promise to respect the Missionaries of all countries, and to persecute none. I will place no obstacles in the way of my people becoming Christians, but on the contrary will encourage them to become so. I promise to make peace with all nations, and never to invite the Tonga people to interfere in the affairs of these Islands again. I promise to send Phillip's Son, the young Chief of Rewa home without delay. I give my free consent to all chiefs who have been forced to leave Bau, to return without delay to their homes. In paying the debts due to Citizens of the United States I will furnish to the Commercial Agent J. B. Williams Esqr, Beche de mar, at Fifteen dollars per picul of 140 lbs, Gum five dollars per picul, Cocoa Nut Oil, Seventy five dollars to the Tun, and other articles, the products of these Islands, at the prevailing prices. If at the end of the period named to pay all American claims, they should not be settled to the satisfaction of the American Commercial Agent, I promise on the arrival of a Ship of War belonging to that Fiji came under British rule in 1874. 1 |