CO885(3-4) — Page 121

TUTT

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE

Reference :-

C.O. 885

PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON

ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC- COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH—NOT TO

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and the two Churchwardens, to be presided over by the Governor.

They did not like the notion of being sent before the Court of State. They said that would be much too inconvenient and expensive; and from a communication which I had with the General Superintendent of Ecclesiastical Affairs in the Duchy of Bremen on the topic, I incline to think they are right.

But I could get no intelligible explanation of the actual necessity for their project.

They could not say that adultery was altogether unknown, but they certainly could cite no case; and I was told, in other quarters, that there was really none. Illegitimate children are rare, too; perhaps one in three years.

But there is a disposition on the part of betrothed persons to break their word or change their minds, which is looked upon as a scandalous violation of the ancient German faith.

6. Taxes.

They press strongly for taxation, as having become absolutely necessary to provide for various public objects; and they point to licenses to exencise trade, and to individual incomes, as the One of them most appropriate sources of revenue. thought that 3001. might be raised in that way, and not more. But a tax on income should not touch the fishermen, whose receipts scarcely reach 181. a-year, without having which they cannot live. They unanimously deprecated all taxation of their bathing visitors.t

• It has become the fashion in Heligoland for persons to come over from the neighbouring countries to get married, which they effect by producing a licence from the Governor. I was told that when such marriages are celebrated, the doors of the church are closed to the Heligolanders, but opened to the bathing visitors. This may, possibly, be one of the reasons which the moderate reformers have for wishing to have a Consistorial Court.

↑ In some of the German watering-places visitors are taxed to the extent of 10r. a-head. The point to be considered is, whether any tax would deter people from resorting to Heligoland. I incline to think it would, but only to a very limited extent.

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I have heard the subject much discussed. Every man admitted the absolute necessity of taxation, but they all differ as to its probable results.

7. Means of repressing disorder.

They do not want a garrison for two reasons: first, because, in some way or another, they would have to pay for it; and secondly, because soldiers, and especially invalided soldiers, are too much addicted to drink, which is very cheap. In this respect they retain a strong sense of disgust at the wild profligacy of the Sappers and Miners during the stay of the German Legion.

The appearance of a vessel of war, however small --a cutter even—once a-year, is a sovereign remedy for overawing all refractory persons. Nothing could exceed the apprehension and horror of a Heligo- lander at the thought of being carried abroad. It might be that it would not be legal so to transport the two or three ruffians who are on the island. But if that could not be done, could not some provision

be made for detaining such men in a prison in England?

Something, however, should be done immediately. Justice is altogether silent and impotent; and that is, in truth, the cry of the whole island.

The unrepresented burghers, under the presidency or guidance of Pastor Siemens' brother, have held a meeting on the beach, although it was forbidden by the Governor. They have found out that they are oppressed by the most grievous tyranny in being shut out from the rights of electing their Repre- sentatives. They can obtain no access to their laws, and have no means of knowing whether the present state of things is lawful or otherwise; but they have strong reason for doubting its lawfulness. They talk of applying for a Commission of Inquiry. and would do so, as they told me, if they knew how to ask for it.

I have stated, in a compressed form, the general aspect and bearing of what I saw and heard during short visit. I bad every facility imaginable for

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