You do not believe that the Depopulation among the Natives goes on so rapidly that within the last Thirty Years whole Districts have become almost depopulated?
- I should doubt that.
Do you mean that no Spanish or Portuguese Vessel has gone to that Island?
- No, they have no general Knowledge of the Place; occasionally a French Man of War has gone there, and the Americans have some Knowledge of the Place.
Do you not think that the Americans having gone there, and having a Facility to get Slaves, would make it known?
- It is a Distance from their Country; there are no American Settlements belonging to North America on the West Side of South America.
Do you think the Difference of the Voyage between the North American Settlements and the South would make a Difference in that respect?
- Yes; for the Track of a Vessel bound to the West Indies or the North American Settlements would be so conspicuous they would be sure to meet with a British Man of War; but running to the Coast of South America they would not have the Danger of meeting with a British Vessel; they might take them to Chili and Peru, and Places on the Western Coast.
Was the Slave Population much greater than the free?
- Yes; the Population of the Slaves was immense.
Are they hardly treated?
- They are, by the Chiefs; I think they frequently kill them.
Is that the Case with the Slaves employed in Agriculture?
- Yes.
The free Men do not work at all?
- No; I think all the Chiefs go to fight.
Do you conceive the Chiefs would be very well pleased to find out that the Sovereignty of these Islands being taken by Great Britain would instantly free every Slave in them?
- I do not think they would be pleased; but I think, if this Country were to give them Compensation, that they would be satisfied.
If you were to give them 20,000,000l.?
- No; it would not require Millions, nor many Thousands. Their Love of Trade and Barter, and possessing some of the Luxuries of Life, now is so great, I think they would give them up for a fair Compensation. We none of us like to give up our Property without some Return.
You did not visit that part of the Island in which the Missionaries are settled?
- I did not.
You are not much acquainted with the State of the Population there, whether they are infected with Diseases?
- No; but they are, I should think, in a very bad State, in consequence of the Interference of the runaway Convicts and Sailors; there is a great deal of Drunkenness and Dissipation there.
You did not see much of the Natives who are resident in that part of the Island?
- I did not. I had One or Two of the Natives in Sydney in my own House, well-behaved Men, but not from that Part of the Island; I should hardly trust them, expecting they have contracted the bad Habits of a great Portion of Individuals who frequent the Bay of Islands.
By whom was the Maize you imported from Poverty Bay cultivated?
- By the Natives.
You know that the Land on which it was grown was cultivated by Natives?
- Yes; we are Agents for the Person who is now carrying on such Cultivation. I have no Doubt he possesses a very large Territory there.
