Page:Report from the Select Committee of the House of Lords, appointed to inquire into the present state of the Islands of New Zealand.pdf/57

 Rh It appears that a good many signed with their Marks; what Description of Persons were those?
 * Tradesmen, Carpenters, and Blacksmiths, who have left North American and other Vessels for the Purpose of building Houses, who had not been educated.

Some of those Persons were not Subjects of the King of England?
 * Some of them were North Americans.

The principal Object of that Petition was for Protection against the threatened Usurpation or Power of a certain Baron Charles De Thierry?
 * Yes; that was one Object.

And also for Protection against such of Her Majesty's Subjects who have committed all kinds of Depredations upon others of Her Majesty's Subjects?
 * Yes.

Do you recollect the Prayer of the Petition, generally; was it for Protection, or for any specific Plan?
 * I read it over at Tauranga; I forget the Particulars of it.

As far as you recollect, does it contain any Prayer to the King, that he would authorize any Persons to form a Colony and Government in New Zealand?
 * I think that they wished for such a Thing, but they were aware that His Majesty had come to the Determination not to increase His Colonies; that has been repeatedly the Conversation of the Missionary Bodies, that they had understood that His Majesty would not increase them.

What did you understand by the Word “Protection,” for which you prayed?
 * We prayed for Protection from our own Countrymen and from Baron Charles De Thierry.

Generally, in such a way as His Majesty might think fit to grant it?
 * Yes; that was left to His Majesty.

You did not point, in special Words, any particular Plan?
 * I do not recollect at this Distance of Time the particular Plan.

Is that now shown to you the Document you signed? (A Paper being shown to the Witness.)
 * That is a correct Copy.

That Petition prays, generally, for such Protection as His Majesty may be pleased to grant?
 * Yes.

Who was Baron Charles De Thierry, at whom you were so much alarmed?
 * We were told he was a French General.

Was that the Character he took to himself?
 * That was the Character we called him by.

Had he any Allies among the native Chiefs?
 * No. He sent some written Documents to the Missionaries and to Mr. Busby, stating that he had purchased a large Tract of Land on the Western Coast.

Did you expect him to come and take Possession of it by Force?
 * He threatened to come, but he never came. Tarcha, one of the head Chiefs in the Bay of Islands, and a noted Savage, said if he came he would kill him and eat him.

Have you any Intention of returning to New Zealand?
 * I should wish to return.

You have not at present made up your Mind to go out in any Situation?
 * If there is an Opening I will go, and make myself generally useful as heretofore.

Do you mean in connexion with the Church Missionary Society?
 * No; but still in the Missionary Work. (123.2.)