When the feasting was over, Commodore Erskine came upon deck, and the chief, Boe Vagi, having been invited by Mr. Lawes to come forward, the Commodore addressed him, and his fellow chiefs, and said: 

“I have asked you to come on board to-day in order that I may explain to you about the ceremony which will take place to-morrow on shore.  I have been sent to this place to notify and proclaim that Her Majesty the Queen has established a Protectorate over the southern shores of New Guinea, and in token of that event I am directed to hoist the British flag at Port Moresby, and at other places along the coast and islands.  To-morrow, then, I intend to hoist the English flag here, and to read a Proclamation which will be duly translated to you.  I desire, on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, to explain to you the meaning of the ceremonial which you are about to witness.  It is a proclamation that from this time forth you are placed under the protection of Her Majesty’s Government; that evil-disposed men will not be able to occupy your country, to seize your lands, or to take you away from your own homes.  I have been instructed to say to you that what you have seen done here to-day on board Her Majesty’s ship of war, and which will be done again to-morrow on shore, is to give you the strongest assurance of Her Majesty’s gracious protection of you, and to warn bad and evil-disposed men that if they attempt to do you harm, they will be promptly punished by the officers of the Queen.  Your lands will be secured to you; your wives and children will be protected.  Should any injury be done to you, you will immediately inform Her Majesty’s officers, who will reside amongst you, and they will hear your complaints, and do you justice.  You will look upon all white persons whom the Queen permits to reside amongst you as your friends, and Her Majesty’s subjects.  The Queen will permit nobody to reside here who does you injury.  You will under no circumstances inflict punishment upon any white person; but if such person has done you wrong you will tell Her Majesty’s officers of that wrong in order that the case may be fairly inquired into.  You must know that it is for your security, and to prevent bloodshed, that the Queen sends me here to you, and will send her officers to live amongst you.  And now I hope that you clearly understand that we are here amongst you as your friends.  You will all keep peace amongst yourselves, and if you have disputes with each other, you will bring them before the Queen’s officers who will settle them for you without bloodshed.  Should bad men come amongst you, bringing firearms and gunpowder, and intoxicating liquors, you are not to buy them, and are to give notice at once to the Queen’s officers, so that such men may be punished.  Always keep in your minds that the Queen guards and watches over you, looks upon you as her children, and will not allow anyone to harm you, and will soon send her trusted officers to carry out her gracious intentions in the establishment of this Protectorate.”