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chief of the Friendly Islands, and as I am informed of the inhabitants of those islands generally, fo place their country under the protection and Government of the Queen. I am in no way authorized either to entertain or enter into negotiations of this character, and I apprehend that your powers, as well as my own, extend on such subjects no farther than the general duty of taking such immediate measures as may appear most likely to protect British interests, until we can receive further instructions from the Home Government. Is is, however, I think quite clear that you should, if practicable, visit the Friendly Islands and put yourself in communication with the principal chief, doing your utmost to promote and confirm tho feelings of friendship and regard which are at present entertained by those islanders for the British race. Indeed, I think that the fact of your visiting other islands iv the immediate neighbourhood of Tonga, the inhabitants of which have neither such strong claims upon us as those of Tonga, and have not made any similar friendly advances, would, if you neglected to visit the latter island, afford its inhabitants strong grounds of complaint and annoyance, and might seriously injure British interests in that quarter. I hear that it is by no means improbable that you may meet George, the principal chief of Tonga, in the Navigators Islands, where he has proceeded with the view of endeavouring to terminate a war now prevailing there. In this case it might be in your power to offer him a passage back to his own country, or to render him some similar service, which might produce a favourable impression upon the inhabitants of the Friendly Islands. I shall feel much obliged to you if you would be kind enough to deliver to George Tubou tho accompanying letter addressed to him, as also a box containing presents for him, which I have directed to be sent on board the " Dido." I have, &c, Captain Maxwell, R.N. G. Grey.

Sub-Enclosure to Enclosure 3 in No. 1. His Excellency Governor Sir G. Grey to Georoe Tuisou, Nukualopa, Tonga. Sir, — Government House, Auckland, New Zealand, 22nd December, 1847. This letter will be delivered to you by Captain Maxwell, of H.M.S. " Dido," who is the officer in command of lI.M. ships and vessels on these coasts. I beg that you will communicate to him your wishes, and acquaint him with the manner in which I can be of any future service to you. Captain Maxwell is a personal friend of mine, and I can therefore with confidence recommend you to rely upon his advice, and to trust to his affording you any assistance which he may feel justified in giving. Your letter of the 28th August did not reach me until yesterday. I now lose no time in assuring you of the interests with which I have watched the progress of your people in Christianity and civilization, and of the sincere pleasure it will afford me to render you every assistance in promoting their happiness and prosperity. The Queen of England will, I have no doubt, hear with great pleasure that even in your country her name is known and loved, and Her Majesty will, I am satisfied, willingly aid you in your efforts for tho advancement of those who are dependent upon you; indeed, her goodness is such that to spread tho blessings of peace and concord over the earth has constantly been her aim, and even these parts so distant from her own home will be to Her Majesty objects of the most lively interest if she can assist in raising the inhabitants of them from from vice and barbarism to Christianity and civilization. I beg that you will under any circumstances of difficulty communicate with me. If I can send any animals or plants to you which are not at present to be found in your islands I shall feel great pleasure in doing so, if you will write to me for them. It may be in my power next year to visit you. I shall make a point of doing so if no unexpected difficulties present themselves. If you could visit me I should feel great pleasure in receiving you or any members of your family, and I can without difficulty at any time send a vessel from hence to convey you back to your own country. Captain Maxwell will deliver to you a small present, which I have sent to you, feeling that in thus evincing the regard of my countrymen for you I shall act in conformity with the wishes of the Queen of England. Begging you to accept the assurances of my high consideration for you, I have, &c, G. Grey, Mr. George Tubou. Governor-in-Chief.

No. 2. His Excellency Governor Sir G. Grey to the Right Hon. Earl Grey. My Lord, — Government House, Auckland, sth April, 1848. In reference to my Despatch No. 9, of the 10th ultimo, reporting tho outrages which had been committed at the Island of Rotuma, I have now the honor to state that, upon considering all the circumstances connected with that particular case, as also the facts which have recently been brought to my knowledge in reference to the various islands in the Pacific, I have thought it my duty to issue a notice offering, on behalf of the British Government, a reward of £200 to any person or persons who shall apprehend, or who shall give such information as shall lead to the apprehension of, the offender or offenders who were concerned in shooting the chief Mushcock, at the Island of Rotuma, on or about the 12th day of July last.