Maiden's Isle Purchase

The Maiden's Isle Purchase is the colloquial name for the instrument by which Maiden's Isle was purchased by the King of Germany, Michael von Preußen, from the Republic of Jerna. It is officially titled the Convention between the People’s Democratic Republic of Jerna and His Royal Majesty the King of Germany for the Cession of the Jernan Possessions in Rottnest Island to His Royal Majesty the King of Germany in perpetuity, and was concluded on 15 May 2009 (2015 under the Jernan Calendar System).

Original Document

Text of the Convention
Convention between the People’s Democratic Republic of Jerna and His Royal Majesty the King of Germany for the Cession of the Jernan Possessions in Rottnest Island to His Royal Majesty the King of Germany in perpetuity.

Concluded at Jerna City this Fifteenth day of May in the Common Era Year 2009 in the Kingdom of Germany; 2015 in the Republic of Jerna; as Ratified.

Preamble
The People's Democratic Republic of Jerna and His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, being desirous of strengthening, if possible, the good understanding which exists between them, have, for that purpose, appointed as their Plenipotentiaries, the President of the Republic of Jerna, Jessica Dale, Foreign Minister; and Royal Majesty the King of Germany, Amara von Hassenstein, his Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Jerna;

And the said Plenipotentiaries, having exchanged their full powers, which were found to be in due form, have agreed upon and signed the following articles:

Article 1
The Republic of Jerna agrees to cede to His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, by this Convention, immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications thereof, all the territory and dominion now possessed by the said Republic in Rottnest Island, and in adjacent islands, and the territorial sea thus surrounding, the same being contained within the geographical limits herein set forth, to wit:

The eastern limit within which the territories and dominion conveyed are contained is a line of demarcation in the Gage Roads proceeding south from a point thirty-one degrees, fifty-five minutes, forty-nine and one half seconds south of the equator and one hundred fifteen degrees, thirty-seven minutes, fourteen and one half seconds east of the Prime Meridian to a point thirty-two degrees, four minutes, fifty-four seconds south of the equator and hundred fifteen degrees, thirty-seven minutes, fourteen and one half seconds east of the Prime Meridian.

The western limit within which the territories and dominion conveyed are contained is a line of demarcation in the Indian Ocean proceeding south from a point thirty-one degrees, fifty-five minutes, forty-nine and one half seconds south of the equator and one hundred fifteen degrees, twenty-four minutes, six seconds east of the Prime Meridian to a point thirty-two degrees, four minutes, fifty-four seconds south of the equator and one hundred fifteen degrees, twenty-four minutes, six seconds east of the Prime Meridian.

The northern and southern limits within which the territories and dominion conveyed are contained shall be defined by parallel lines of demarcation proceeding east and west between the points delimited as the termini of the eastern and western limits within which the territories and dominion conveyed are contained in paragraphs 2 and 3 above.

Article 2
It shall be understood that the Republic of Jerna grants His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, as well as any and all of his subjects, and all persons and vessels legally traveling to the territory ceded, with the exception of subjects or vessels of any government or entity with which the Republic of Jerna is in a state of war, the full right to pass through the territorial waters of the Republic of Jerna to the territory ceded, unhindered, for any reason whatsoever.

Reciprocally, it shall be understood that His Royal Majesty the King of Germany shall not maintain within the territory ceded permanently nor for any extended length of time any serviceable military installations, vessels, equipment, or personnel in excess of what is required to maintain an effective defense of the territory ceded during time of war.

Article 3
In the cession of territory and dominion made by Article 1, are included the right of property in all public lots and squares, vacant lands, and all public buildings, fortifications, barracks, and other edifies. The territory ceded shall wholly and without reserve be classified as territory or territorial waters as applicable under the control of His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, for the purpose of establishing jurisdiction, including carriage of sentences into execution, over any offence against the legal instruments of the aforesaid territory. Jurisdiction over the territory ceded shall be granted fully and without reserve to His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, and in no case shall the jurisdiction of the Republic of Jerna extend over the territory ceded. Any government archives, papers, and documents relative to the territory and dominion aforesaid, which may now be existing there, will be left in the possession of the agent of the His Royal Majesty the King of Germany; however, an authenticated copy of such of them as may be required, will be, at all times, given by His Royal Majesty to the Government of the Republic of Jerna, or to such Jernan officers or subjects as they may apply for.

Article 4
The inhabitants of the territory ceded, according to their choice, reserving their natural allegiance, may return to the Republic of Jerna within three years of the ratification of this Convention; however, if they should prefer to remain in the territory ceded, they shall be admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights, advantages, and immunities of subjects of His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, and shall be maintained and protected in the free enjoyment of their liberty.

Article 5
The Republic of Jerna shall appoint, with convenient despatch, an agent or agents for the purpose of formally delivering to a similar agent or agents, appointed on behalf of His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, the territory, dominion, property, dependencies, and appurtenances which are ceded as above, and for doing any other act which may be necessary in regard thereto. The cession, with the right of immediate possession, is nevertheless to be deemed complete and absolute on the exchange of ratifications, without waiting for such formal delivery.

Article 6
Immediately after the exchange of the ratifications of this Convention, any fortifications or military posts which may be in the territory ceded shall be delivered to the agent of His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, and any Jernan military vessels, equipment, and personnel which may be in the territory shall be withdrawn as soon as may be reasonably and conveniently practicable. Any fortifications or military posts delivered to the agent of His Royal Majesty in excess of what is permitted under Article 2 above shall be dismantled and removed as soon as may be reasonably and conveniently practicable.

Article 7
In consideration of the cession aforesaid, His Royal Majesty the King of Germany agrees to pay in gold, immediately upon the exchange of the ratifications of this Convention, to the diplomatic representative or other agent of the Republic of Jerna, duly authorized to receive the same, the full value of all land, buildings, equipment, furniture, vehicles, improvements, works of art, and other such real and personal property within the territory ceded, as valued in the year of signing by the Rottnest Island Authority, a total of three hundred fifty-nine million six hundred twenty-five thousand australs. The cession of territory and dominion herein made is hereby declared to be free and unencumbered by any reservations, privileges, franchises, grants, or possessions, by any associated companies, whether corporate or incorporate, Jernan or otherwise; or by any parties; and the cession hereby made conveys all the rights, franchises, and privileges now belonging to the Republic of Jerna in the said territory or dominion, and appurtenances thereto.

Article 8
When this Convention shall have been duly ratified by the President of the People's Assembly of the Republic of Jerna, on the one part, and, on the other, by His Royal Majesty the King of Germany, the ratifications shall be exchanged at Jerna City within one month from the date thereof, or sooner if possible.

Ratification
In faith whereof the respective Plenipotentiaries have signed this Convention, and thereto affixed the seals of their arms.

Signed at Jerna City, this Twentieth day of May in the Common Era Year 2009 in the Kingdom of Germany; 2015 in the Republic of Jerna.

For the People’s Democratic Republic of Jerna,

[Signed]

Jessica Dale, Foreign Minister

For His Royal Majesty the King of Germany,

[Signed]

Amara von Hassenstein,

Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Jerna