One another Hare and you can Clunies-Ross proceeded to shop relentlessly to own purple security

Clunies-Ross targeted United kingdom regulators inside the Mauritius having an interest to have protection and detection to the fledgling colony. His first petition towards Governor away from Mauritius, Charles Colville, asked for the hawaiian islands to be accepted ‘according to the supremacy of Authorities out of Mauritius’. 64 For making their situation getting cover, Clunies-Ross looked for ‘a level of regional magisterial authority’ and a concept like harbour master who would buttress their standing into isles and you will on the imperial bureaucracy. 65 His time is worst; Colville’s relationship with officials in London is strained when he sided having French creoles up against Uk courtroom reforms to help you ameliorate slavery. 66

Simply 30 days once writing in order to Colville, Clunies-Ross authored another petition,

this package treated for the king and drafted when you look at the consultation into the Proctor to your Legal away from Admiralty off St Louis when you look at the Mauritius. 67 It requested your Cocos-Keeling Countries be put in a state off ‘union’ into king’s dominions hence the guy privately, and his awesome heirs ‘inside the perpetuity’, end up being granted an excellent ‘give of your own property’ regarding isles. 68 The details of your own arrangements he asked throughout the one or two petitions differed, but one another demonstrate that Clunies-Ross had planned a comparable mixture of safety and many specialized detection off his expert.

Their commitment to preserve his own rule, as well as continued intimate exploitation out of their captives, didn’t blind your into benefits associated with building their associations on the Dutch administration inside Batavia

Hare at the same time is actually cosying up to the latest Dutch towards Java. The guy certainly observed the chance that he might stave off United kingdom intervention by the hardening Dutch support. To the twelve December 1828, Hare blogged a letter so you can elder Dutch officials during the Batavia asserting that he try ‘sensible of advantage of adjacency to help you a preserving authority’. 69

Just as conscious there is certain benefit to become achieved, Dutch officials encouraged the scene that they you will annex the hawaiian islands. For the October 1829, an effective naval officer, H. van der Jagt, turned up agreeable this new schooner Blora to research the newest updates of region. 70 Because the he was currently inside interaction with even more increased figures into the Batavia, Hare demonstrated absolutely nothing demand for discussing his hands in order to a great junior administrator, but the guy performed explain one ‘it will be fun to own your in the event that Dutch Bodies raised the banner indeed there, however, while the an enthusiastic English subject he may not apply to the fresh Netherlands authorities accomplish so’. 71 Van der Jagt determined that Hare desired to ‘withdraw off every social establishment’ in order that they are ‘lord and you can master’ more his victims. Particularly Hare, Clunies-Ross was seriously selecting protection. Based on van der Jagt, Clunies-Ross got declared their need to your Netherlands Eastern Indies bodies dominate the islands and you can affirmed which he ‘would rather getting below Dutch than simply English rule’. 72 This plan requisite particular sleight-of-hand, since Clunies-Ross concealed regarding Dutch authorities his is attractive for the Mauritius and his assurances to United kingdom authorities he could not abandon his status since a british subject otherwise transfer allegiance so you’re able to Batavia.

None the new Dutch nor the british used the visits by the asserting claims to sovereignty across the countries

These types of machinations did much more in preserving ambiguity concerning the islands’ position rather than give understanding on imperial belonging. Indeed, when given the chance to get it done, each other empires removed back. For the June 1830, the Governor-Standard, Johannes van den Bosch, felt like so it would be a strategic mistake to take palms regarding islands one to presented none clear award neither visible issues. 73 Due to their area, the british recognized that in common algorithms setting-up imperial possession, the fresh new Hare and you will Clunies-Ross settlements you’ll establish enough. Creating in order to London, Owen tepidly supported the concept one a firm state they the newest islands could well be helpful, including offered their positioning anywhere between Asia and you will Australian continent. 74 However, firmly setting-up eg a state set regarding indefinite future. As an alternative, like their Dutch competitors, United kingdom authorities proceeded so you’re able to figure interactions into the countries in the idiom of coverage versus and then make one definitive commitment to signal.