Clunies-Ross directed British authorities in Mauritius which have an appeal to have coverage and you may detection with the fledgling nest. 1st petition toward Governor from Mauritius, Charles Colville, wanted the hawaiian islands become acknowledge ‘underneath the supremacy of the Authorities regarding Mauritius’. 64 For making their circumstances to own cover, Clunies-Ross needed ‘an amount of regional magisterial authority’ and you may a subject eg harbour grasp who would buttress their standing with the isles and you can from the purple bureaucracy. 65 His timing are poor; Colville’s reference to authorities when you look at the London area was burdened as he sided which have French creoles against Uk legal reforms so you can ameliorate slavery. 66

Only 30 days immediately after creating in order to Colville, Clunies-Ross wrote a second petition, this 1 treated on the king and you can written into the appointment into Proctor towards the Courtroom out-of Admiralty regarding St Louis for the Mauritius. 67 It questioned that Cocos-Keeling Isles be put in a state regarding ‘union’ with the king’s dominions hence he personally, with his heirs ‘within the perpetuity’, feel issued a good ‘grant of your own property’ in the countries. 68 The facts of your plans he requested about a few petitions differed, but both demonstrate that Clunies-Ross got planned an identical blend of safety and lots of formal detection of their authority.

His dedication to preserve his personal rule, including proceeded sexual exploitation off their captives, don’t blind your on the benefits of building his associations on the Dutch administration when you look at the Batavia

Hare meanwhile was cosying up to the fresh new Dutch on the Java. He clearly detected the chance that he may stave off United kingdom intervention of the hardening Dutch support. For the a dozen December 1828, Hare authored a page to help you senior Dutch officials into the Batavia asserting that he are ‘sensible of the advantageous asset of adjacency in order to a saving authority’. 69

Just as aware that there is certain benefit to getting gained, Dutch officials advised the view which they you’ll annex the hawaiian islands. Inside Oct 1829, a good naval administrator, H. van der Jagt, showed up up to speed the brand new schooner Blora to investigate the newest standing of your own region. 70 Given that he was already during the telecommunications with a whole lot more increased numbers in Batavia, Hare shown absolutely nothing demand for sharing their hand in order to an excellent junior manager, however, he did identify you to ‘it will be fun to possess him when the Dutch Authorities raised their banner there, however, because an enthusiastic English subject he may not affect the fresh new Netherlands regulators accomplish so’. 71 Van der Jagt determined that Hare planned to ‘withdraw out of most of the personal establishment’ so that he’s ‘lord and master’ over their subjects. Instance Hare, Clunies-Ross try desperately wanting safety. According to van der Jagt, Clunies-Ross had declared his would you like to that Netherlands Eastern Indies bodies dominate the islands and you will affirmed that he ‘prefer to web sweet discreet getting below Dutch than simply English rule’. 72 This plan necessary some sleight of hand, due to the fact Clunies-Ross concealed of Dutch authorities their appeals in the Mauritius and his ensures so you’re able to United kingdom authorities which he would never ditch his reputation given that a british topic or import allegiance so you’re able to Batavia.

None the latest Dutch neither the british followed their visits from the saying states sovereignty along the isles

These types of machinations performed a lot more to preserve ambiguity regarding the islands’ reputation rather than promote clarity about imperial belonging. In fact, when given the possible opportunity to get it done, one another empires removed straight back. Within the Summer 1830, the Governor-General, Johannes van den Bosch, felt like that it would be a proper error when planning on taking arms from countries you to definitely demonstrated none clear award neither obvious danger. 73 For their area, british acknowledged one to according to the usual algorithms starting purple hands, brand new Hare and Clunies-Ross agreements might confirm enough. Writing to London, Owen tepidly endorsed the theory one to a firm claim to this new isles might be beneficial, such as for instance offered the location ranging from Asia and Australia. 74 However, solidly starting particularly a declare lay from the long upcoming. Rather, just like their Dutch equivalents, British authorities continued so you can figure relationships on islands during the idiom of coverage in the place of and work out people decisive dedication to code.