Page:Some Account of New Zealand.pdf/108

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In our intercourse with the uncivilized natives of any part of the world, our conduct should submit to the government of conscience, but as this monitor is, in many instances, totally disregarded, I think the captain of a ship might be required to ascertain that his sailors were incapable of communicating a disease which would entail misery upon the future population of a healthy and happy country.

I am inclined to believe, in many instances where disagreement takes place between Europeans and savages, the former are the aggressors. The lowest profligate of Europe fancies himself a superior being, and treats the untaught native of a peaceful isle, as an animal almost unworthy his consideration; he communicates the diseases of civil life, and commits acts of treachery and outrage without the least remorse. Acts of this description are handed down to posterity, by tradition, among the natives, and they revenge the injuries done to their ancestors upon all Europeans that