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Deed of Cession of Rotuma 1879

CESSION OF ROTUMA
November, 1879

We, the Chiefs of Rotuma, with the knowledge and assent of our respective tribes, and in accordance with their desire, do, on our own behalf and that of our respective tribes, hereby cede and surrender absolutely, unreservedly and unconditionally to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, Empress of India, the possession of and full sovereignty over the whole Island of Rotuma, and over the inhabitants thereof, and of and over all ports, harbours, roadsteads, streams and waters, and all foreshores and all islets and reefs adjacent thereto: praying that Her Majesty will be pleased to extend to us such laws as now govern her Native subjects in the Colony of Fiji, or such other laws as in Her Majesty's wisdom she may see fit to make and appoint for our Government and for the maintenance of peace and good order.

I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct translation of the Fijian language into English,

D. WILKINSON

MAROFF X
ALBERT X
MANHAFF X
VASEA X
TAVO X
OSIAS X
AISEA X

Witness to the signatures of
Maroff, Albert and Manhaff
JOHN B. THURSTON, }
JOSEPH LALA, }
JAMES COCKS, }

Witness to the signatures of
Vasea, Tavo, Osias and Aisea.
ARTHUR GORDON }
TIMOCI MUDU }