Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the present state of the Islands of New Zealand/Tuesday, 3 April 1838/John Liddiard Nicholas

by House of Lords

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J. L. Nicholas, Esq.

John Liddiard Nicholas Esquire is called in, and examined as follows:

You have been in New Zealand, have you not?

I accompanied the Reverend Samuel Marsden in the Year 1814 to New Zealand, when he established the first Church Missionary Settlement there.

How are you occupied now?

I am in no Occupation.

You published an Account of New Zealand, did you not?

I did.

How long did you stay there?

We arrived in New Zealand the latter End of December 1814 and left it the latter End of February in the following Year; I was there about Ten Weeks.

Were you at that Time confined to one Spot, or did you move about?

We coasted I suppose about 300 Miles, from the North Cape to the River Thames, and landed on various Parts of the Coast, and had Interviews with the different Chiefs, who were all very desirous, on its being explained to them what was the Object of the Mission, that Missionaries should be established amongst them.

Was that the first Mission that had ever gone there?

Previously to our going to New Zealand Mr. Marsden had sent a Vessel with the Missionaries for them to judge for themselves whether they would like to remain in the Country ; for there was a very strong Prejudice at that Time in New South Wales against the New Zealanders, from the Circumstance of their having cut off a large Ship about Four Years before. The Missionaries on their Return expressed themselves so confident of the good Dispositions of the Natives that they determined upon settling among them. Mr. Marsden then resolved on establishing them in the Country, and on accompanying them himself for that Purpose. I was on Terms of Intimacy with Mr. Marsden, and he asked me to go with him.

You went from New South Wales?

We did, to the Bay of Islands, where the first Missionary Establishment was settled.

Upon that Occasion had you Opportunities of forming any Judgment as to the Climate of the Place?

We were there in the Middle of Summer, and nothing could exceed the Salubrity of the Climate, as it appeared to me, nor the Beauty of it.

Was the Heat then moderate?

Very moderate. A Thermometer belonging to one of the Missionaries, as I was informed by him, never rose higher than 73 or 74, nor went below 64.

That was in the Month of January?

From December to February.

Had you at that Time Intercourse with several native Chiefs?

Frequent Intercourse. The first that we had was rather a singular one; it was before we arrived in the Bay of Islands; we were becalmed off the Coast, where there was a Village belonging to one of the Chiefs we had on board,—for we had Three Chiefs with us, who had come to Port Jackson in the Vessel with the Missionaries previously to our leaving Port Jackson. The Chiefs went on shore, and on their Return told us that the Tribe from Wangeroon which had cut off the Boyd, the Vessel before alluded to, were encamped near the Village. Mr. Marsden, upon hearing this, was exceedingly anxious to have Communication with the Chiefs of that Tribe, for the Purpose of explaining to them the Nature of the Mission, and to effect a Peace between the Tribes of Wangeroon and those in the Bay of Islands, Hostilities having taken place in consequence of the former having cut off the Boyd; Mr. Marsden and myself landed with the Missionaries and the Chiefs that we had on board, and we found about 150 Warriors encamped at a little Distance from the Village; one of their Chiefs, George, had been on board our Ships, and could speak a little English; we took with us, however, a New Zealand Sailor whom we had on board, and who spoke our Language very well. We were received with a good deal of Ceremony, the Details of which it is not necessary to enter into, but it ended in Mr. Marsden and myself remaining with them all Night. On its being explained by Mr. Marsden to George and the other Chiefs what was the Object of the Missionaries in coming to New Zealand, George expressed a strong Desire that Missionaries should be sent to Wangeroon; and he made a solemn Promise that he never would be again instrumental in cutting off another Vessel.

Did he give any Reason why he had done it before?

Yes, he did, and a very strong Reason. He said the Vessel would not have been cut off had it not been for the Ill-conduct of the Captain towards him that he had agreed to work his Passage from Port Jackson to New Zealand, where the Captain was going to take in a Cargo of Timber; that during Part of the Voyage he was rendered unable to work by Illness, but the Captain insisting on his doing his Duty as usual, and on his declaring his Inability the Captain had him severely flogged; and when he came into the Harbour of Wangeroon he took his Clothing from him, and turned him almost naked on shore.

He was a Chief of some Consequence?

He was; and on his mentioning to his Relatives the Ill-conduct of the Captain they insisted upon his being revenged. He said he was averse to this; but they insisted upon it, and overruled him. A Plan was then laid to take the Ship; and all the Crew and Passengers, consisting of nearly 70 People, were massacred, with the Exception of Four.

What was the Vessel?

She was a Ship chartered by Government to take out Convicts; she was a Vessel of about 500 Tons; her Charter having ceased, the Captain was returning home from New South Wales with Passengers on board, and went to New Zealand for the Purpose of taking in a Cargo of Timber to bring to this Country.

Had you further Intercourse with the Natives?

Very considerable Intercourse after we arrived in the Bay of Islands with the Chiefs belonging to that Part of New Zealand; as also with those from the Interior, all of whom expressed themselves anxious to have White People settled among them, when the Objects of the Mission were explained to them, and that the Arts of Civilization would be introduced among them, and their Condition bettered by being taught the Culture of Wheat and other Grain.

Did you see much Cultivation going on?

A good deal. They are very industrious Cultivators for Savages. I should say they are an industrious People. Their Plantations of the common Potato and the Sweet Potato are cultivated with very great Care; indeed there is not a Weed to be seen in them. I have seen between Twenty and Thirty Acres in one Place enclosed and cultivated; their principal Food, however, is the Fern Root.

That grows to a great Height?

In good Ground it grows to Six and Seven Feet high; there are between Fifty and Sixty Species of that Plant.

Did the Soil appear productive, so far as you had an Opportunity of seeing?

Very productive.

Is it a heavy Soil; or what should you describe it, with reference to any English Soil?

It of course varies, but I should say, generally speaking, it was a rich loamy Soil. One great Proof of the great Fertility of the Soil is the Magnificence of its Forest Trees, many of which grow to an enormous Size, and afford very valuable Timber.

What Description of Trees principally?

Principally of the Pine Species. There is a great Variety of Timber in the Country fit for all Purposes; as for Ship-building, domestic, and other Purposes. The Forests of New Zealand afford perhaps the finest Spars for Masts and Yards in the World, and which are extremely valuable. In India, the Wood being there very heavy, they cannot get any Description of Wood to make good Spars, and those taken from New Zealand find there a ready Sale.

Had there been at that period much Intercourse with Vessels?

No great deal at that Time, and what there had had been rather to the Annoyance of the Natives, for they had been ill used in many Instances by the Captains of Trading Vessels which went down there.

There was no Establishment of Europeans there at that Time?

There was not a single European in the Island except Two, and those were Two runaway Convicts whom we found there, and who were very glad to surrender themselves to us immediately after our Arrival. They had secreted themselves on board a Whaler, and escaped to New Zealand under the Idea, I suppose, that they should live there in Ease and Independence; but they soon discovered their Mistake, for the Crew of the Vessel having told the New Zealanders that they were Thieves, and had escaped from Sydney, the Natives treated them with the utmost Contempt, and told them that unless they worked they should not eat, and to prevent their being starved they were obliged to labour. When they came on board they were in a most miserable Plight, almost naked and half starved.

Did it appear that they had treated them with personal Cruelty?

No; they said the Women treated them very harshly, but one of the Chiefs, who had taken them under his Protection, treated them kindly, and took them to his cultivated Lands, and said to them, “If you will work I will feed you.”, The Case is very much altered now, a great Number of runaway Convicts having settled in many Parts of the Northern Island, and also Adventurers from New South Wales of the most abandoned Description.

Have you been there yourself since 1815?

No, I have not.

When you say they are settled there, do you mean that they have obtained Possession of Tracts of Land?

I understand they have, to a very considerable Extent.

By Purchase or by Force?

By Purchase.

You speak on that Subject only from what you have heard?

Just so.

Had you an Opportunity of judging whether the Island was thinly or thickly peopled at that Time?

I should say it was very thinly peopled, considering the Extent of the Island. The Villages we came to were small and contained but a scanty Population. It is impossible to give any correct Account of what the Population might be. I think Foster, who accompanied Captain Cook, supposed the Population of the Northern Island to be 100,000; in the Book I wrote when I came back I put it down at 150,000; it is of course all Guess-work, but the Population is well ascertained to be very inadequate to the immense Extent of the Country.

What is the Extent?

The Three Islands, the Northern and Southern, and the small Island called Stewart's Island, are not less in Length than from 800 to 900 Miles; the Northern Island having a medium Breadth perhaps of Sixty Miles, and the Southern about 180. In one Part of the Northern Island it is very narrow, being not more than Five Miles across.

Did you go at all into any detailed Discussion with the Chiefs with reference to the Missionaries coming there, or the Mode in which they should live, or what Means they would have of living, or how they would be treated?

Yes; we had considerable Discussions with the Chiefs in the Bay of Islands, whom we found exceedingly desirous that Missionaries should be established among them, each Chief being desirous of having a Missionary to reside with him. A small Purchase of Land was made for the Missionaries before we left the Island.

In what Way was that set about and conducted?

Before we left Port Jackson there was a Parchment Deed drawn up, with Blanks to be filled up. In this Deed Boundaries of the purchased Land were described, and a Chief drew upon it the Mark of the Tatooing of the Countenance of the Chief to whom the Land belonged, to which the Vendor set his Mark in ratification of the Deed. The Deed is, I believe, now in the Church Missionary House.

Do you think that the Chief understood that he was parting with his Land?

Perfectly. As a Proof that he understood it, he put the Land under what is called the Taboo, which is a superstitious Mode they have of transferring their Property, making it what they call sacred. This was made sacred to the Missionaries, and as such considered their Property.

It was dedicated to the Missionaries to prevent any Person interfering with them?

Yes.

Did he perform that Ceremony on the Land?

We did not see the Ceremony; but he gave the People about him to under stand that the Land was tabooed, that it belonged to the Missionaries, and that they had a full and perfect Right in it, and were not to be disturbed in their Possession of it.

Did you collect that he had ever seen a Parchment Deed or Instrument of any Sort before?

No; I suppose never. The Natives are very much altered in Character since we were there; wherever the Missionaries have Influence they have undergone a total Change of Character. On our Visit to the Island they

were in a very rude and savage State.

Were you at that Time satisfied in your own Mind that he understood the Substance of what he was doing; that he was parting with his Land to Persons who were to come and live there?

Perfectly. The New Zealander can reason with as much good Sense respecting his own Interest as Persons in civilized Life; they are People of very shrewd Understanding, and when well treated, I think perfect Confidence may be placed in them.

What Sort of Consideration was given him for his Land?

Twelve Axes.

What was the Quantity of Land?

About Two hundred Acres.

Did you observe, so far as you had Intercourse with them, that they can discriminate between mere Baubles and Articles of Utility, such as Axes?

Decidedly. They always gave a Preference to Axes and Spades, and Implements of Agriculture, over Dress and Finery; they would very gladly have purchased Muskets and Powder, but of course we did not barter these Articles with them.

What Articles did they use in bartering with Europeans?

Mr. Marsden, in order to lessen the Expenses of the Voyage to the Church Missionary Society, freighted Home a Load of Timber, and also purchased a Quantity of Flax. The Flax of the Country is exceedingly valuable.

Is there a good deal of Flax cultivated?

Not cultivated, but it is spread over the Country in great Quantities. It would form a very valuable Article of Barter to this Country; it thrives exceedingly well there, and when properly prepared it has been found to produce stronger Rope than that made of the Hemp of Russia or any other Country, and also the Canvass made of it is of a very superior Description.

Are you aware whether the Admiralty have looked into that Subject, and whether there has been any Report made upon it?

I am not aware of that Fact.

Is it within your Knowledge that Flax has been since imported?

It has been imported by private Merchants; I am not aware whether it has by the Government. I do not think that till a Colony is formed it can be procured in sufficient Quantities from the Natives; they do not cultivate it.

They leave it to take its Chance?

Yes.

So early as that you had not heard of Baron De Thierry?

No, not till long afterwards. In 1820 Mr. Kendall, one of the Missionaries, returned to this Country, bringing with him Two Chiefs; he went down to Cambridge soon after he arrived here to compile a Vocabulary of the New Zealand Language, aided by the Assistance of Professor Lee ; he took the

Chiefs with him , and there met with the Baron De Thierry. After Mr. Kendall returned to New Zealand the Baron set a Scheme afloat to colonize the Island; I believe he had not himself any Means for that Purpose.

What occurred in consequence of your Visit?

We were very much impressed in favour of the Character of the Natives, from their superior Intelligence and Desire for Improvement.

Did the Missionaries settle there?

They did; Three Missionaries with their Families, which constituted the first Mission on the Island, were settled in the Bay of Islands.

You state that when you were there, in the End of 1814 and the Beginning of 1815, you thought the Country was very healthy; did you observe many old People among the Natives?

No; some, but not many.

Did you observe that they had any peculiar Disease?

Generally speaking they appeared to be a remarkably healthy People; we saw a few, but very few, afflicted with cutaneous Diseases, and some appeared to be subject to sore Eyes; but they appeared generally a remarkably strong, healthy People.

Do you know what became of the Four Men who were saved in the Massacre of the Boyd?

A Vessel came into the Bay of Islands I think about Four Days after the Capture of the Boyd, the Captain of which got a Chief from the Bay of Islands to go to Wangeroon, and bring them away; they were brought to England, I believe, by that Vessel.

Do the Natives of that Part of the Island live by Agriculture, or by Hunting and Fishing?

They do not hunt at all; there are very few Quadrupeds in the Country, the wild Dog is the largest; but they fish a good deal, the Coast abounding with a great Variety of Fish; and they cultivate the common and the Sweet Potato, but they do not cultivate nearly sufficient for their Wants; at the same Time for a savage People there is a good deal of Cultivation going on.

How do they procure sufficient for their Wants?

The Fern Root is their general Diet; they have also Pigs, but they very seldom eat Pork, except at Feasts, as they prefer breeding them for Sale to the Captains of Ships.

At the Period you were there there were not many Ships touched there?

No; and we did not see many Pigs in the Island.

Do you know at all what is the Tenure of Land there?

I think it is chiefly held under feudal Tenure. The Population is divided into Four Classes: the Areekee, who is a Person of sovereign Authority, Chiefs, Rungateedas , and Cookees. The Areekee has under him a Number of subordinate Chiefs, who, I believe, hold their Lands under him in feudal Tenure; that is, if he goes to war they must assist him. But I am not sufficiently informed on this Subject so as to give a satisfactory Answer to the Question.

You say there was some Land purchased; do you think it is quite certain that the Chief knew that he never again would have any Right over that Land?

I think he understood it perfectly.

Do you conceive he did it because he was anxious that a Missionary should reside there who should promote Christianity in that Country, or that he did it by way of selling the Land to any Person who would give him what he wished?

I think his Motive in selling the Land was to have a Missionary to reside there.

He wished to have a Minister of Religion?

Yes, he wished to have a Minister of Religion settled among his Tribe.

Not merely a Man to improve Agriculture and Commerce?

That no Doubt was the principal Object with him; the Improvement of the Cultivation of their Lands, and the introducing among them the Arts of Civilization.

Do you consider that a sufficiently high Price was given for this Land?

I think it a fair Price for the Land, considering the immense Quantity of Land, which, from the Scantiness of the Population, is totally valueless.

Are you quite sure that the Land sold by this Chief belonged to him?

I suppose it did. There were several Chiefs present belonging to that Part of the Island, and I think if he had not had a Right to dispose of it they would not have permitted him to do so.

Were they under the head Chief of the Clan?

Yes; Shunghi, the head Chief, was present.

Was he the head Chief of the Clan?

He was the Areekee.

Did the other make Objections to the Sale?

No.

Did the Missionaries select the Land where they thought fit, and was it Land that was not in Cultivation before?

I do not recollect that any of it was in Cultivation; the Dwelling of the Missionaries was erected on it, and their Settlement was formed there.

Close to the Sea?

Yes.

Did you hear any Observations any of the Tribes or any of the Chiefs made upon the Subject of this Land?

No. One of the Missionaries purchased , he told me, of one of the Rungateedas, who are the Gentry of the Country, being the Relations of Chiefs, many of whom possess Lands, and I suppose have the Right of disposing of them, for this Man sold from Two to Three Acres to one of the Missionaries, which was put into Cultivation when I was there.

Were many of the Natives Christians at that Time?

Not one.

Had they any Form of Worship at all?

None whatever. They have various Superstitions; they believe in a Plurality of Gods; but they have no Form of Worship.

Did you see any other Land tabooed except this which was bought by the Missionaries?

All their cultivated Land is under the Taboo, and carefully enclosed . They do not allow any Person to go into those Lands except themselves or their Slaves.

Slaves.

Do you know what Punishment they have for any Person who does go into them?

I do not; but I should think it is severe. When we were walking through the Country we came occasionally on those Lands, and I once or twice got into them; they told me I should not do it; they considered it however no very great Offence in me; but they do not allow any except those to whom the Land belongs to enter upon them,

Have the Chiefs many Slaves?

I can hardly answer that Question. The lower Orders of People are called “Cookees.” Some are Slaves and some are not.

Are they Natives?

They are. The Tribes are in constant War with each other, and those of their Prisoners whom they do not devour they make Slaves of.

They do not make Slaves of any Men of their own Tribes, only those they take in War?

Only those they take in War; and whom I believe they not unfrequently dispose of as Slaves in Barter with each other.

You have stated that they were a very healthy People. Is it a Fact that a great Depopulation has been going on of late Years?

I understand very much so.

Has that been to a great Extent?

I only know that from reading Publications.

Did you see any Cases of Small Pox?

No.

When the Missionaries purchased this Land were there any particular Means taken to ascertain the precise Boundaries of that they purchased?

I think the Boundaries were explained and described in the Deed.

Were any Marks inserted to show what was purchased, and what was not, to prevent mutual Disputes?

I think the Ground was walked round. I do not know whether any Metes or Bounds were put down; I do not apprehend there were any. I forget exactly how it was done.

Did the Chief of whom this Land was purchased appear to be the Proprietor of the adjoining Village?

I think he had Land adjoining.

Was there any Village of considerable Size in the Bay of Islands at that Time?

The largest Village in the Bay of Islands was close to where the Missionaries purchased this Land, and which I think contained a Population perhaps of about 200 People.

You have spoken of the Areekee, the principal Chief; do you know what the Amount of the Tribe under that Areekee was, in the Neighbourhood of the Bay of Islands?

I think it was said that Shunghi, the Areekee with whom we came much into contact, could muster a Thousand Warriors. We went to visit his Fortress in the Interior, a large fortified Place; but that did not contain, I should think, more than from Three to four hundred People; but a Number of Villages and a very large Extent of Country belonged to him.

Over that Body of Persons he appeared to exercise a very considerable Authority?

Yes.

You have stated that the New Zealanders appeared anxious to have Europeans among them; do you suppose that was merely for the Purpose of instructing them in Religion and the Arts, or for the Purpose of giving them Laws, and acting with Authority?

For the Purpose of bettering their Condition, in giving them greater Comforts of Life, and introducing the Arts of Civilization.

They did not appear to have any Wish that those Europeans should substitute the Laws of their own Country?

That was a Subject never mentioned. The Chiefs are exceedingly jealous of their Independence. Before we left the Harbour of Port Jackson we were detained by contrary Winds, at the Entrance of the Harbour, for a Week, and during that Time we found the Chiefs in a State of great Depression, and very sullen. On inquiring into the Cause, one of them, Duaterra, informed Mr. Marsden that some of the People at Sydney had told the Chiefs that the Missionaries going down to settle among them was only a Prelude to larger Bodies of our Countrymen following them, and would deprive them of their Independence and take their Country from them. For Proof of which they told them to look at what had been done in New South Wales, where the Natives were driven back into the Country and almost wholly destroyed. This had such an Effect upon the Minds of the Chiefs , that Mr. Marsden said, “If you believe this, the Missionaries shall not go at all, and I will order the Vessel back into the Harbour.” But they said no, they would confide in him; and the Voyage proceeded.

The Missionaries went on the distinct Understanding that they were not to interfere with the Independence of the Country?

Perfectly so.

You state that the Natives do not cultivate Flax; but do you not think that if they found it a valuable Article of Export they would do so?

I think they would if they found it worth their while. They cultivate Provisions much more largely than they did formerly, for the Purposes of Barter, therefore it is probable that they will attend to the Culture of Flax ; but I think, unless a Colony was established, the Culture of it would not go to any great Extent. The Progress of Civilization goes on very slowly, and is much impeded by the bad Mode in which Colonization is now going on, which is composed of runaway Sailors, Convicts, and profligate Adventurers.

You state that the Land sold to the Missionaries was tabooed, and that for their own Cultivation was also tabooed?

Yes.

Do you conceive that this Form made the Lands private Property, and that the rest was Waste?

No; it was to prevent People from injuring the Crops and trespassing on private Property; but the uncultivated Land was not considered as waste or unappropriated Land; the whole was looked upon as Property. The Nation have very distinct Ideas of Property in Land.

Is the Northern Part of the North Island a flat Country or mountainous?

It is a very undulating Country near the Coast, and has Hills in the Interior, which to the Southward rise into very high Mountains; there is a Chain of Hills extending from North Cape, as far as I went down, to the River Thames, which runs through the whole Extent of the Two Islands, dividing as it were the Breadth of the Islands, extending from North to South.

Had they any spirituous Liquors at the Time?

No; nor did they like them when they came on board the Vessel. I have by way of Experiment given them a little Rum, but they did not like it. Sweet Wine they were fond of, but to Spirits they had a great Aversion.

Are you a Land Owner there now?

No; I only went to New Zealand from Motives of Curiosity.

Who was Governor of New South Wales at that Time?

General Macquarrie.

Were you furnished with any Document or Instrument of Authority from him?

Mr. Kendall was sworn in as a Magistrate; and a printed Proclamation was issued by the Governor giving him Authority as a Magistrate to apprehend all runaway Convicts and Sailors, and to punish any Abuses committed against the Natives by any of the Captains of our Vessels; and in this Proclamation the Three Chiefs who went down with us to New Zealand were joined to aid Mr. Kendall in the Punishment and Apprehension of Offenders.

Having been some Time at New South Wales, were they at that Time competent to understand for what Purpose they were joined?

I think perfectly.

Do you recollect the Names of the Three Missionaries who were left there?

Mr. Kendall, Mr. Hall, and Mr. King; each of them married Men, with their Families of Children .

By what Right did the Governor of New South Wales appoint a Magistrate to act in New Zealand; are you aware of any Act of Parliament that at that Time authorized him in doing so?

I recollect the Proclamation was laughed at a good deal as an Assumption of Authority; but it was considered that it might have the Effect of deterring Captains of Ships from injuring the Natives, and they would not argue very nicely as to the Authority of the Governor.

Do you conceive that the Chief understood himself to be ceding, with other Rights, the sovereign Rights; and that, understanding the Nature of what he was doing, he would be willing to give up the Right of Government, and to hand that over to another Country?

I think he would object to that, decidedly.

He would be capable, you think, of understanding the Nature of the Arrangement, but would object to it if proposed?

I think so. He would be very glad of the Protection of British Laws.

You think he would not like to have the Country transferred from his own Dominion to that of another Country?

I think he would not like to be interfered with in the Management of his own People, and that he considered himself perfectly independent of any other Country; at the same Time I think he would be exceedingly glad to put himself under the Protection of British Laws.

As regards British Subjects?

Yes; and supposing a Colony to be settled in his Country, he would be glad of the Protection of the Colonists against other Tribes.

You mean to say, the same Man who would not object to selling his Land would still object to having the Government transferred from the Chief to the British Government?

I think so.

The Government of his own Tribe?

Yes.

Is there one general Chief over the Island, or are they all independent in different Portions of the Country?

The Northern Island appears to be divided between Nine or Ten of what are termed Areekees, who have a great Number of subordinate Chieftains under them.

Is each one of those supreme within his own District?

Yes.

Do you think that the New Zealand Chief would very much like a Law being passed to prevent his eating a Prisoner taken in War?

I think that would be better left to the Influence of moral Feeling.

You think he would not like your ordering him not to do it?

I think not.

Would he consent to not being allowed to go to War except with the Sanction of the British Agent, or whoever might be there?

I do not know how to answer that Question. I think that they would be very glad to settle down in Security, and not to go to War; but how far they would like to be coerced I do not know.

One of the Reasons why they would like a Colony to be settled, you are understood to say, would be that it would defend them against the Aggressions of other Natives?

Yes; I think they would like British Protection.

That the Colonists should defend them by Force of Arms?

Yes.

Would not that be likely to bring the Colonists into their Wars?

I think the Tribes that would be in hostility with that particular Tribe would be deterred by the Strength of the Colonists from making any Attack upon it; but, even if they did so, I do not know that any very ill Consequence would ensue from it, as they would be soon put down, and deterred from making a second Attempt.

Do you think that the Interference of the British between Tribe and Tribe would have the Effect of checking the Influence of the Missionaries?

No, I think not. A Colony composed of Men of moral and respectable Characters would tend very much to promote the Labour of the Missionaries.

The Witness is directed to withdraw.