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Whaling Regulations, &c.

Proclamation by Governor King, dated Sydney, May 26, 1804:—"Whereas it has been represented to me that the commanders of some American vessels have, without any permission or authority whatever, not only greatly inconvenienced his Majesty's subjects, in resorting to and continuing among the different islands in and about Bass's Straits for skins and oil, but have also, in violation of the laws of nations and in contempt of the local regulations of this territory and dependencies, proceeded to build vessels on the islands of the said straits, and in other places within the limits of this, his Majesty's territory of New South Wales and its dependencies, to the prejudice and infringement of his Majesty's rights and properties therein. And whereas I have, sometime past, requested instructions on the subject of the subjects of any European Power in amity with his Majesty, that they may be allowed to procure skins and oil on the islands, wastes, and bays of this territory and its dependencies as aforesaid. Until I receive those instructions, I do in the meantime hereby prohibit and forbid any foreigner whatever, as well as his Majesty's subjects (according to the first regulations of this colony, consequent on the Royal instructions), building or causing to be built any boat or vessel whose length of keel exceeds 14 feet (unless by reason of a ship being wrecked) without my permission and authority for so doing being previously obtained. And in case such vessel should be built, or the building of such vessel be carried on after this notice, then and in these cases the said vessels so built or building may be seized within any of his Majesty's ports whereat such vessel so built may anchor, or on any part of the coast, bays, or islands within the limits of this territory where they are building, and confiscated to his Majesty's use. And the parties therein offending, whether subjects of his Majesty or otherwise, will incur the penalties that may be awarded for an infringement of the regulations of this territory and agreeable to the existing treaties of amity, commerce, and navigation."