CONVENTION BETWEEN GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE, RESPECTING ABROGATION OF THE DECLARATION OF THE 19TH JUNE 1847, RELATIVE TO THE ISLANDS TO THE LEEWARD OF TAHITI, AND FOR THE PROTECTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY IN THE NEW HEBRIDES.

(Paris, 16 November 1887)

THE Government of Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the Government of the French Republic, being desirous to abrogate the Declaration of the 19th June, 1847, relative to the islands leeward of Tahiti, and also to make provision for the future protection of life and property in the New Hebrides, have agreed upon the following Articles: - 

Article 1.

The Government of Her Britannic Majesty consent to proceed to the abrogation of the Declaration of 1847 relative to the islands to the leeward of Tahiti as soon as the agreement hereinafter contained for the future protection of life and property in the New Hebrides by means of a Joint Commission shall have been carried.

Article II.

A Joint Naval Commission shall be immediately constituted, composed of British and French naval officers on the Pacific Station, charged with the duty of maintaining and protecting the lives and property of British subject and French citizens in the New Hebrides.

Article III.

A Declaration to that effect shall be signed by the Governments.

Article IV.

The Regulations for the guidance of the Commission shall be drawn up by the two Governments, approved by them and transmitted to the commanders of the British and French ships on the Pacific naval station within a period not exceeding four months from the date of the signature of the present Convention, should it be impossible to do so earlier.

Article V.

Immediately on the approval of those Regulations by the two Governments, and the consequent withdrawal of the French military posts from the New Hebrides, the Government of Her Britannic Majesty will proceed to the abrogation of the Declaration of 1847.  It is understood that the assurances relating to trade and to convicts, which are contained in the Note verbale of the 24th October, 1885, communicated by M. de Freycinet to Lord Lyons, shall remain in full force.

In witness whereof the Undersigned, duly authorized for that purpose, have signed the present Convention, and have affixed thereto their seals.

Done in duplicate at Paris, the 16th November, 1887.

(L.S.)  EDWIN HENRY EGERTON

(L.S.)  FLOURENS

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ANNEX

Extract of note verbale of the 24th October, 1885, communicated by M. de Freycinet to Lord Lyons, shall remain in full force.

(Translation)

The French Government willingly renew to Her Majesty’s Government the assurance that the system of Customs which will be established in the islands to the leeward of Tahiti on the day on which French authority shall have been definitely established there shall in no respect differ from that actually in operation in Tahiti itself, and that British subjects shall enjoy in them the same treatment as that extended to its own citizens.

Moreover, M. de Freycinet has no difficulty in declaring that the Government of the Republic has no intention of departing, in regard to Raiatea and the islands adjacent, from the course which it has hitherto pursued respecting the transportation of convicts to its Tahitian possessions.