Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the British colonies, and possessions; namely:

1st. On letters addressed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, at the rate of 1s. per ounce British, net weight.

2nd. On letters addressed to the British colonies and possessions (but paid only to the port of landing in the said colonies and possessions), at the rate of 1s. 4d. per ounce British, net weight.

There shall be added to the rate 3s. 4d., fixed as above, that of 8d. for the internal postage of such of the aforesaid letters as are addressed to Jamaica (those addressed to Kingston excepted), Canada, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward's Island, and Newfoundland; making, in all, 4s. per ounce British, net weight.

VI. The British Post Office shall pay on its part to the French Post Office, for postage on unpaid letters originating in the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, and addressed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the British colonies and possessions, at the rate of 2 francs and 40 centimes for every 30 grammes, net weight.

VII. The British Post Office shall likewise pay to the French Post Office, for postage on letters originating in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the British colonies and possessions, which shall be paid to their destination in the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, at the rate of 2 francs and 40 centimes for every 30 grammes, net weight.

VIII. The inhabitants of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the British colonies and possessions, and those of the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, may reciprocally send registered letters. The postage on such letters must in all cases be paid to the place of destination.

IX. The sum for which the 2 offices of France and Great Britain shall mutually account to each other, as regards the postage of registered letters, sent either from the United Kingdom and its possessions to the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, or from the cantons of the Swiss Confederation to the United Kingdom and its possessions, shall be double the sums mutually fixed upon by the preceding Articles V and VII for ordinary letters paid to the place of destination.

X. The French Post Office shall pay to the Post Office of Great Britain an uniform rate of 3s. 4d. per ounce British, net weight, for transit through the territory of the United Kingdom, and for sea conveyance of paid letters originating in the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, and addressed to colonies and countries beyond sea, wherever the same may be situated, when forwarded by the French to the British Post Office, to be conveyed either by private ships, by Government vessels, or by vessels freighted or maintained by order of Government, from the ports of the United Kingdom.

The same rate of 38. 4d, per ounce British, net weight, shall like[1844-45.]

E

wise be paid by the French Post Office to the Post Office of Great Britain, for sea conveyance and transit postage through the territory of the United Kingdom of unpaid letters, originating in colonies and countries beyond sea, wherever the same may be situated, addressed to the cantons of the Swiss Confederation. It is, however, understood, that in the rate of 3s. 4d. per ounce British, fixed as above, for sea conveyance, and transit through the territory of the United Kingdom, of the letters described in the 2 preceding paragraphs, the rate with which those letters may be chargeable for internal postage in the said colonies and countries beyond sea is not included.

XI. The Post Office of Great Britain shall forward to the French Post Office, free from any charge for postage, newspapers and printed papers originating in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and addressed to the cantons of the Swiss Confederation.

XII. The Post Office of Great Britain shall pay to the French Post Office, at the rate of 4 centimes, for every newspaper, for transit postage through France, of newspapers originating in the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, and addressed to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.

XIII. The Post Office of France shall pay, on its part, to the Post Office of Great Britain, at the rate of 1d. for every newspaper or printed sheet of paper, for transit postage and sea conveyance of newspapers and printed papers originating in the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, and addressed to colonies and countries beyond sea, wherever the same may be situated, (those addressed to Canada excepted), when forwarded to the British Post Office, to be conveyed either by private ships, by Government vessels, or by vessels freighted by order of Government, from the ports of the United Kingdom.

XIV. The French Post Office shall likewise pay to the British Post Office the same sum of 1d. for every newspaper or printed sheet of paper, for sea conveyance and transit postage of newspapers and printed papers addressed to the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, and originating in the colonies and countries beyond sea, without distinction, (those coming from Canada excepted), and brought in any manner whatsoever into the United Kingdom or the Channel Islands.

XV. The Post Office of France shall pay to the Post Office of Great Britain at the rate of 1d. for every newspaper or printed sheet of paper, for transit postage and sea conveyance of newspapers and printed papers addressed to Canada, and originating either in France, Algeria, and those countries where France maintains Post Offices, or in the kingdom of Greece, the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, the German States served by the Post Office of His Highness the Prince of Tour and Taxis, and the Northern

States, the correspondence of which passes through the said Post Office.

XVI. The Post Office of France shall likewise pay to the British Post Office the same sum of 14d. for every newspaper or printed sheet of paper, for sea conveyance and transit postage of newspapers and printed papers originating in Canada, and addressed either to France, Algeria, and those countries where France maintains Post Offices, or to the kingdom of Greece, the cantons of the Swiss Confederation, the German States served by the Post Office of His Highness the Prince of Tour and Taxis, and the Northern States, the correspondence of which passes through the said Post Office.

XVII. The forms of letter bills and acknowledgments of receipts for the use of the respective offices of exchange, beginning from the 1st day of December next, shall be made according to the forms agreed upon and annexed to the present Articles.

XVIII. The present Articles shall be considered as additional to those agreed upon between the 2 offices for carrying into execution. the Convention of April 3rd, 1843, signed at London the 1st May following, and shall come into operation on the 1st day of December, 1845,

Done in duplicate and signed at Paris the 11th day of November, 1845, and at London the 17th of the same month.

(L.S.)

(L.S.)

DUBOST.
CONTE.

(L.S.)
(L.S.)

W. L. MABERLY.
LONSDALE.

ENGAGEMENT of the Sultan of Sooloo, for the protection of the Citizens and Commerce of The United States.February 5, 1842.

ART. I. I, MOHAMED, Sultan of Sooloo, for the purpose of encouraging trade with the people of the United States of America, do promise hereby and bind myself, that I will afford full protection to all vessels of The United States, and their commanders and crews, visiting any of the islands of my dominions, and they shall be allowed to trade on the terms of the most favoured nation, and receive such provisions and necessaries as they may be in want of.

II. In case of shipwreck or accident to any vessel, I will afford them all the assistance in my power, and protect the persons and property of those wrecked, and afford them all the assistance in my power for its preservation and safe-keeping, and for the return of the officers and crews of said vessels to the Spanish settlements, or wherever they may wish to proceed.

III. That any one of my subjects who shall do any injury or harm to the commanders or crews belonging to American vessels, shall receive such punishment as his crime merits.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, in presence of the Datus and Chiefs of Soung, Island of Sooloo.

February 5, 1842.

Witnesses:

(L.S.) SULTAN OF SOOLOO.

CHARLES WILKES, Commanding Exploring Expedition.
WILLIAM L. HUDSON, late Commanding U. S. Ship Peacock.
R. R. WALDRON, Purser, U. S. Exploring Expedition.

COMMERCIAL REGULATIONS, made by the Principal Chiefs of the Samoan or Navigators' Islands.—November 5, 1839.

ART. I. ALL foreign Consuls duly appointed and received in Samoa 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 Government.

II. All foreign vessels shall be received into the ports and harbours of Samoa 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 Government.

III. 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 Consul of the country to which the vessel belongs, 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.

IV. 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.

V. Every vessel shall pay a port charge of 5 dollars for anchorage and water, before she will be allowed to receive refreshments on board, and shall pay for pilotage, in and out, the sum of 7 dollars,

before she leaves the harbour; and pilots shall be appointed, subject to the approval of the Consuls.

VI. No work shall be done on shore, nor shall any natives be employed on board vessels on the Sabbath-day, under a penalty of 10 dollars, unless under circumstances of absolute necessity.

VII. All trading in spirituous liquors, or landing the same, is strictly forbidden; any person offending shall pay a fine of 25 dollars, and the vessel to which he belongs shall receive no more refreshments. Any spirituous liquors found on shore shall be seized and destroyed.

VIII. All deserters from vessels will be apprehended, and a reward paid of 8 dollars, viz., 5 dollars to the person who apprehended him, and 3 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 25 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 5 dollars, or 1 month's hard labour on the public roads.

IX. No master shall land a passenger without permission of the Government, under a penalty of 25 dollars, and no individual shall be permitted to land or reside in Samoa without special permission of the Government; any one so landing shall be compelled to leave by the first opportunity.

X. If a sick person be left on shore from any vessel for the recovery of his health, he shall be placed under charge of the Consul, who shall be responsible for his sick expenses, and will send him away by the first opportunity after his recovery.

XI. Any seaman remaining on shore after 9 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 5 dollars.

XIL All fines to be paid in specie or its equivalent, or be commuted by the Government, at the rate of one month's hard labour on the public roads for 5 dollars.

XIII. 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.

XIV. All Magistrates or Chiefs of districts, where vessels or boats may visit, shall enforce the rules and regulations relative to the landing of foreigners, and apprehension of deserters, or pay such a fine as the Malo shall impose.

XV. For carrying into effect the foregoing rules and regulations, the Chiefs and Governors of the respective districts shall be account