`DOMINION'

Every Saint Helenian knows the crucial phrase from the Royal
Charter, `as if they had been abiding and borne within this our
realm of England', but we often `forget' the following six words,
`or in any of our dominions'.  We have been told so often, that
many have come to believe it, that this extra phrase undermines
the principle clause, and puts us on a par with all the other
overseas territories of the British Empire.  This is false.

It is true that from the 19th century, in the Second Empire, the
word `dominion' meant an overseas territory inhabited and ruled
by the British, but not a part of the United Kingdom, with only
partial claims to the rights of those who lived within it.  They
all gained a large measure of self-rule, their own flag, and
finally independence.

This is not how the word was understood in the 17th century.  The
word was then used of those territories within the Kingdom of
Great Britain (this title was first used in 1604) other than the
Realm of England (and probably Scotland as well).  In particular
it was applied to Wales, though also to Ireland, and in royal
mythology to France.  It carried the sense of being distant, that
is further from the King than England, but not of being overseas.

Before the 18th century, the only truly overseas territory
referred to as a Dominion was Virginia, that royalist experiment
first conceived in the last years of the Virgin Queen.  The
earliest reference to dominions in general as overseas
territories is in an Act of Parliament of 1700, which refers to
`His Majesties Dominions beyond the Seas'.

The word as it is used in the Charter should, therefore, be
understood as it was in the 1670's not as it was in later
centuries, not as `dominions (such as Canada)', but as `dominions
(such as Wales)' - part in other words of what has been known
since the 1800 Act as `The United Kingdom'.


COUNTY

When we speak of St. Helena as the lost county of England, we do
not mean a shire county, such as Somerset or Yorkshire, but the
older designation of certain cities and their districts, very
similar to what are now known as borough counties.

     King Henry did make this city {Exeter} with its suburbs, a
     County by means whereof they have justices of the peace, a
     sheriff, constables, and all other officers that pertained
     to a county.
                                             Tristam Risden 1630

This is no longer of prime importance, but that St. Helena was
so considered in the 18th century is shown by the Honourable East
India Company's Laws and Constitution of 1682, where they make
provision for a Sheriff, as one who administers justice in a
(nonshire) county.  St. Helena still has a Sheriff; it is, if no
administratively, still a county; but it has been forgotten.



THE ST. HELENA FLAG

St. Helena's flag is, and always has been, the Union Jack, and
its national anthem is the National Anthem of Great Britain. 
Under the requirements of the `Colonial Regulations' from the
FCO, Governors of territories must fly `the Union Flag, with the
approved Arms or Badge of the Territory' in certain specified
circumstances.  There is no implication that what is referred to
is itself a flag, not that it should be used except in the
presence of the Governor.

The RMS St. Helena flies a variant of this banner, and some shop-
keepers sell copies to tourists, but these have no official
status, being sanctioned neither by government nor by tradition. 
The badge of the Honourable East India Company is incorporated
into the emblems of several organisations, but, like the white
rose of Yorkshire, has no political or national connotations.

On St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha the Union Jack and
the National Anthem are alone used for all who are British.



THE 1981 NATIONALITY ACT

The 1981 Nationality Act, which came into effect on 1st January
1983, was `an Act to make fresh provision about citizenship and
nationality, and to amend the Immigration Act 1971 as regards the
right of abode in the United Kingdom'.  Persons born outside the
UK after 1.1.83 are to have British Citizenship only if, at the
time of birth, their father or mother is a British Citizen,
otherwise than by descent.

British Dependent Territories Citizenship does not confer the
right of abode in the UK, and such citizens are only able to
enter the UK subject to the immigration laws of the day.  The
right of a BDT citizen to reside in the dependent territory of
which he or she is a citizen, means a right to reside in that
specific dependent territory only.

The Labour Government's earlier Green Paper of 1977 put the
problem succinctly: `Arrangements must be made for those people
who are none citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies... but
who do not have such close ties with the United Kingdom as to
become British Citizens'.

The Commission entirely agrees.  Where we disagree is the
inadvertent mis-classification of St. Helena as a colony.  This
general, administrative grouping failed to take into account the
Island's unique `close ties with the United Kingdom'.  The
earlier `United Kingdom and Colonies' Citizenship was too broad. 
The new British Citizenship that corrected it is too narrow. 
Neither properly addresses St. Helena's particular circumstances.

TRISTAN DA CUNHA

In 1816 during Napoleon's imprisonment, a small British garrison
annexed the Island of Tristan da Cunha, 1,300 miles to the south
of St. Helena.  When they were withdrawn, Corporal William Glass
and his family elected to stay.  The island was not therefore
settled by the mainland, but it remained British nevertheless as
the population slowly increased.  In 1938, Tristan became a
Dependency of St. Helena.

During the Second World War, in great secrecy but with the full
co-operation of the Tristanians, a naval communications centre
was maintained on the lsland.   In 1949, on the establishment of
a local fishing industry, H.M. Government appointed a resident
Administrator.

When the volcano erupted in 1961, all 264 Islanders were
evacuated to England.  They were after all British and were
welcomed and received for what they were, British citizens within
the United Kingdom.  It was assumed that they would stay, but in
1963, when the eruption subsided, all but five wished to return
to their home.

The Government arranged for the repatriation of the community,
and at no time made it a condition of returning that they would
one day surrender their rights as British Citizens; instead
Administrators were reappointed and remain to this day.

In 1981, without any notification, those rights were swept aside,
and they have been made prisoners of their Island home.  Indeed,
they do not even have a right of abode on St. Helena.
A survey shows only very few Saint Helenians have any desire to
crowd into mainland Britain, but what is perhaps especially
hurtful is that Tristanians have proved, in 1963, that they do
not want, even when it is offered to them, to burden the British
taxpayer.  Yet even they have been `arbitrarily deprived of their
nationality.


ASCENSION ISLAND

Discovered by Joao da Nova on his voyage south, in 1501,
Ascension was too dry and barren to attract more than passing
interest, until in 1815 the Royal Navy landed, to guard the sea
route to Napoleon's prison.  On his death, it passed to the Royal
Marines and became a base for naval operations until 1922.  The
first telegraph cable was landed in 1899, and so it took on a
second life as a telecommunications station.  In 1942, American
forces landed to build a runway and so gave a third string to the
island's bow.

As a communications island, military and civilian, Ascension has
proved it's usefulness many times (the Falklands Conflict could
not have been prosecuted without it).  As a source of employment,
it has been invaluable to Saint Helenians.  Yet still, after 180
years, nobody `lives' there.  The only freehold belongs to the
Church; no one can retire there; no one can buy property.  This
strange status of `a working island' has suited everyone well
enough for the past few decades.

The future, however, is uncertain.  The population of 1,200 will
be fortunate if it falls by no more than 20% in the next two
years, and by 40% in the next five.  Satellite communication and
the great expense of maintaining this outpost will see the island
die in 25 years, unless a new role is found for it.

The future of Ascension depends on St. Helena becoming an
autonomous overseas territory of the United Kingdom.  St. Helena
may not depend on it's nearest neighbour, but since 1922 it has
proved one of it's greatest assets.  The re-establishment of a
proper political status will not alone guarantee the future of
Ascension, but it is a necessary condition for any future.


THE SOUTH ATLANTIC OCEAN

St. Helena was settled for it's strategic position.  That
importance, in military and trading terms, has gone, but the
strategic position hasn't.  St. Helena and Ascension, and to a
lesser extent the Falklands and Tristan, are still the most
important islands of the South Atlantic.  The environmental
patrolling of the ocean may one day be as vital to national and
international interests, as was the Royal Naval patrolling of the
early 19th century.  Much of this work can be done by satellite,
but even now nothing replaces the value of simply being there.

The protection of fish stocks, the monitoring of global warming,
and the prevention of pollution have led to a very rapid increase
in the ownership of the sea, as the only sure basis for control. 
Who would have imagined during Britains's Cod War with Iceland
just twenty years ago that the 200 nautical mile limit would by
now be universally accepted?  After the other cod war between
Canada and Spain in 1995, it seems quite probable that each
maritime nations will see it's limit extended to some 500 miles
by the early 21st century.

This would make Great Britain the principal maritime nation of
the South Atlantic.  St. Helena and its dependencies would then
control some eight million square kilometres of ocean.  We would
suggest that it may offer considerable economic benefit.  Even
if it does not, it remains an awesome responsibility, and one
that cannot lightly be set aside.  St. Helena is still in a
strategic position.


THE INVASION AND RECAPTURE

By the late 17th century, the Island of St. Helena was known to
be a welcome landfall on the long journey home from the East
Indies.  A respite from the ocean, where fresh water and
provisions could be purchased.  There was the chance that other
sailors might be there, with news and gossip of ships and
shipping, a chance for crews to recover from the rigours of the
voyage and to pray that they might reach home safely.

The proprietors of the Cape, the Dutch East India Company, cast
envious eyes towards St. Helena, and plans were laid to take the
Island, and so give the Company complete control of the trade
route through the eastern South Atlantic.  When King Charles II
declared war on Holland in 1672, the Dutch decided to act.

A squadron of ships, led by Jacob de Gens, set sail from the Cape
and arrived off the Island about 20th December.  Soldiers began 
to make several unsuccessful attempts to secure a landing on the
rocky coast.  Despite a lack of troops and poor fortifications,
the English were initially able to use the natural fortress to
their advantage, and resist the Dutch.  On New Year's Eve, a
party of soldiers had been observed landing at Lemon Valley, but
were repulsed by the islanders, who rolled rocks and boulders
down the steep cliffs.  The Dutch retired to their ships to think
again.

Returning after dark, a light was seen near another landing
place, Bennetts Point, close to Swanley Valley.  The story then
tells that a traitor named W. Coxe, accompanied by his slave, had
lit a fire and was waiting to guide the Dutch invasion force.

Five hundred men came ashore and were led up the precipitous
cliffs by Coxe and his slave, who was then murdered to keep the
treacherous story secret.  The troops moved across the Island,
routed a small English force at High Peak, and appeared high
above the defenders of James Fort at Ladder Hill.


The small group in the fort were trapped, the Dutch were above
them and also attacking them from the sea.  Governor Beale
realizing that great loss of life would accompany any further
opposition, retired with his people and their valuables in the
ship, Humphrey and Elizabeth, which was anchored in the bay.

The Dutch found that Beale had spiked the guns and spoiled the
powder before leaving, and the only prize was a ship with slaves
and some ivory.  Thinking that the English had been routed, they
mended the fort, and with now a reduced garrison, sat back to
enjoy and make use of their new possession.

Governor Beale reached Brazil and at once set out in a sloop to
warn English shipping away from the Island, and had the good
fortune to meet up with a fleet from England, under Captain
Richard Munden.  This expeditionary force had set sail before
news of the capture of St. Helena had reached England, but Munden
determined to recapture the Island immediately, without waiting
for specific orders.

`Black' Oliver, a slave who had escaped with Governor Beale,
volunteered to guide the invading force.  Troops landed in the
Prosperous Bay area, where a gallant and Skilful sailor named Tom
scrambled up the cliff carrying a ball of twine.  When he had
found a secure footing, he hauled up a strong rope, and the
soldiers climbed up one by one.  This place is still known as
`Holdfast Tom'.

By the time the force arrived at Rupert's Hill, overlooking James
Fort, the Dutch had surrendered to Munden's ships after a naval
bombardment.  At sunset on 15th May 1673, the English took
possession of James Fort, and once more the English flag flew on
the Island of St. Helena.


MAKING HISTORY

In the history of the East India Company, there is a constant
thread of conflict between the Directors in London, with their
worries of profit, loss and investment and the man at the sharp
end, weeks from home, advice or help.  The Governor had to make
his decisions based on his experience and what he thought the
Directors would approve.

In 1795, Governor Brooke was faced with the opportunity to make
his name with the Company and to demonstrate the usefulness of
St. Helena.  News from England was that the French had overrun
Holland, and it was supposed that the Dutch would become allies
of the French and so declare war on England.  Now there were the
Dutch at the Cape who were as yet unaware of this news, and
Brooke thought that he could assemble a force to wrest the Cape
from them.  A council of war backed him, and an invasion force
of some six hundred men was embarked on the Company ships.

Hardly had the ships been loaded, when news was received that an
English force, commanded by Admiral Sir George Elphinstone and
General Craig was on the way to the Cape.  Intelligence also
disclosed that sailing northwards was a fleet of laden Dutch
merchantmen which had now become potential enemy prizes.  The
expeditionary force was unloaded and the ships set sail to
capture the Dutch fleet.  Eight large ships were captured, and
sent back to England.

Despite this happy event, the war at the Cape was not going well
for the English, and Sir George Elphinstone requested assistance.

Governor Brooke once again assembled his forces and despatched
them to the Cape.  Over four hundred men of the St. Helena Corps
took part in the Battle of Muizenburg on 7th August and the rest
of the campaign that ended in the surrender of the Dutch on 16th
October.

Governor Brooke's help in providing money, ships, artillery and
men earned him high praise and swords of honour from the
Governor-General in India and the Court of Director in London.

The Malay slaves of the Dutch were given their freedom by the
victorious English; volunteering for service with the Company,
they were formed into two companies of artillery to serve on St.
Helena.

Eleven years later, in 1806, another Governor, Robert Patton was
faced with a similar request for help.  Fortunately (so he
thought) he had quite explicit instructions from the Directors
in London:

     We hereby direct you to afford every aid in your power,
     consistently with due protection and security of your
     own Island, to H.M. Land and Naval forces under the command
     Major-General Sir David Baird and Sir Home Popham in every
     operation in which you may be required by them to assist.

When they arrived at St. Helena, and asked for his support, the
Governor at once assembled two hundred and eighty men from the
Garrison Light Infantry and Artillery, and placed them under
Popham's command for the expedition to take Buenos Aires.

Though the St. Helena detachment fought bravely, the whole
enterprise met with ignominious failure.  This time there were
no jewelled swords or letters of warm commendation, only a severe
reprimand for the efforts of Governor Patton.  In their long and
scathing letter, the Directors went on to question every other
aspect of the Governor's administration.

To compound the ignominy, not long afterwards, the newly
purchased Company brig Jolly Tar was stolen from James Bay by
some of the soldiers of the garrison, who killed the commanding
officer, imprisoned others and carried it off to Brazil.

Worse still (and even less the Governor's fault) an epidemic of
measles was brought from the Cape and devastated the Island in
the following year, killing nearly two hundred people.  In July
1807, Governor Patton resigned, and sailed for England in
weakened health." 


Extracted from A Report by The Bishop of St. Helena's Commission
on Citizenship - St. Helena The Lost County of England