The irrepressible Briton is going to acquire another colony. An
Australian Company has bought rights in the Feejee islands, and a thousand emigrants have settled, built houses, and begun to cultivate crops. The natives not concerned in the contract dis- approve these proceedings, have attacked the settlement, and have been fired on by a Queen's ship. The natives hereupon have broken off all negotiations, and kill the settlers wherever they can, while the settlers on their part demand aid from Sydney, and will probably receive it. It would appear that they are quite ready to do their own fighting, but are told that they cannot establish legal authority without a charter from the Crown. A Sydney Court, for example, could punish an elected magistrate for flogging a thief. This defect of power is a curious one among a colonizing people, but we think elected rulers might act, and trust a jury.
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