...published at length in the April number of the Journal of Indian Archipelago, lS5l,pp 193-20S. UN-UN.] 1ZTU The law of nature is the only law declaring crimes...exists at Prince of Wales' Island, — and as Judge, it a tho only law which I can apply to criminal or civil suits brought in judgment Wore me — but ns...

...of what was just. The following passage from Mr. Dickens' report addressed to the Governor-General in 1803, shews what was the actual legal condition...Criminal and Civil suits brought in judgment before me. But as the law of nature gives me no precepts respecting the right of disposing of property by...

...been heretofore informed that Prince of Wales' Island, prior to its cession in 1785 [should be 1786] was under the dominion of a chief who governed arbitrarily...Criminal and Civil suits brought in judgment before me. But as the law of nature gives me no precepts respecting the right of disposing of property by...

...under the dominion of a chief who governed arbitrarily and not by fixed laws. It is now become ray painful duty to state that it has so continued to...can apply to the Criminal and Civil suits brought in judgement before me. But as the law of nature gives mo no precepts respecting the right of disposing...

...law. After describing how Peuang was "governed arbitrarily, and not by fixed laws," he continued: " The law of nature is the only law declaring crimes and respecting property which. . . .exists at Prince of Wales Island .... But us the law of nature gives me no precepts concerning...

...of deceased persons. As a final comment a statement of Dickens may be quoted; this runs as follows: "The law of nature is the only law declaring crimes...knowledge, at this day exists at Prince of Wales Island . . ." »« This then was the situation up to the grant of the First Charter of Justice on 25 March...