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/94

 90 : Natives dislike the French; and if the English did not colonize the Country they would not admit any other Nation to colonize them.

Do you mean that they can distinguish between English and Americans?
 * Yes.

And they prefer the English?
 * Yes.

Did you ever see a Spaniard or Portuguese, or Brazilian there?
 * I have seen no Natives of South America, to my Knowledge.

Did you ever hear of a Brazilian, or Portuguese, or Spanish Vessel having come in there?
 * No; there have been no Foreign Vessels, other than the French on Discovery.

Do you believe that if the Spaniards or Portuguese were to send Vessels there they could ship Cargoes of Slaves from those Islands?
 * They might take them by Treachery or Force.

Might they take them as Articles of Merchandize from the Chiefs?
 * No. I have purchased Slaves myself; Boys whom I liked for their quiet Conduct; but that would not hold good. The Natives among one another purchase Slaves; but from Europeans the Slaves run away, and go back to their Master, who not only inveigles them, but protects them. The Price I paid Five Years ago was a Musket.

Suppose you went there, could you purchase Slaves?
 * I could not purchase them for a Cargo, or any thing of the Kind; it was with Difficulty I could get a single Slave.

Is your Land cultivated by free Men or Slaves?
 * Those I have had have been principal Chiefs, and also Slaves. Sometimes the Master has made an Agreement that I should give himself a Blanket, and the Slave some Victuals.

There is very little Difference, in their Remuneration, between a free Man and a Slave?
 * Very little, between the greatest Chief and the most abject Fellow. Reckoning himself as a Chief, perhaps one would say, “You must give me something more; I am a Chief.”

The Slave, when he goes back, is again a Slave?
 * Yes. The Master can take him back during his Time of Labour, and often does.

Have you found them clever as Artisans?
 * Exceedingly.

Have you used them as Carpenters and Coopers?
 * I have used them to help my Cooper; I have used them to build my Wooden Houses, and as Gardeners. As Farm Servants they are admirable.

Are they clever?
 * Yes; with just the Headpiece of Europeans, and just that Tact of doing any thing; the most imitating People in the World.

When a Slave comes to work for you does he expect you to give him any Information; does he consider himself an Apprentice?
 * Not the slightest. If he likes any thing he says, “I will imitate this.” I have been fond of drawing; they have immediately imitated my Sketches; taking a Coal from the Fire they make not a bad Imitation.

They make native Canoes?
 * Yes. They build the largest principally in Hawke's Bay; and in the Bay of Islands they are generally inferior.

Do they attempt to build larger Vessels?
 * No. There are Districts of clever Men, such as at the East Cape; they make handsome Mats, and in carving they are peculiarly clever. As a Race of People they are totally different; they are Black, and their Courage is accounted