of New Guinea, and for the purpose of preventing the occupation of
portions of that country by persons whose proceedings, unsanctioned by
any lawful authority, might tend to injustice, strife, and bloodshed, and
who, under the pretence of legitimate trade and intercourse, might
endanger the liberties and possess themselves of the lands of such native
inhabitants, that a British protectorate should be established over a
certain portion of such country and the islands adjacent thereto; and
whereas Her Majesty, having taken into her gracious consideration the
urgent necessity of her protection to such inhabitants, has directed me
to proclaim such protection in a formal manner at this place,--now I,
James Elphinstone Erskine, Captain in the Royal Navy and Commodore of the
Australian Station, one of Her Majesty's naval aides-de-camp, do hereby,
in the name of Her Most Gracious Majesty, declare and proclaim the
establishment of such protectorate over such portions of the coast and
the adjacent islands as is more particularly described in the schedule
hereunto annexed; and I hereby proclaim and declare that no acquisition
of land, whensoever or howsoever acquired, within the limits of the
protectorate hereby established will be recognized by Her Majesty; and I
do hereby, on behalf of Her Majesty, command and enjoin all persons whom
it may concern to take notice of this proclamation.

"SCHEDULE.

"All that portion of the southern shores of New Guinea commencing from
the boundary of that portion of the country claimed by the Government
of the Netherlands on the 141st meridian of east longitude to East
Cape, with all the islands adjacent thereto south of East Cape to
Kosmann Island inclusive, together with the islands in the Goschen
Straits.