Historical Records of New Zealand
Lieut.-Colonel R. Cruise to Under-Secretary Hay
Lieut.-Colonel R. Cruise to Under-Secretary Hay.
Sir,—
Having accidentally heard that Government had an idea of establishing on the coast of New Zealand a military force for the protection of the settlement formed there by the New Zealand Company, I made an offer of my services to Sir Herbert Taylor, who desired me to present myself at the Colonial Office.
I had a conversation yesterday with Mr. Wilmot Horton, who referred me to you; but as I am obliged to go to the Continent for the winter, may I beg you to signify to Lord Bathurst that my visit to New Zealand in 1820 [the journal of which was afterwards published] interested me so much in the fate of that part of the world that should His Lordship require the services of an officer of my rank either at New Zealand or in any of the colonies in the Southern Hemisphere, I shall consider myself highly honoured by being employed.
I have, &c.,
Rt. Cruise,
Lt.-Colonel (unattached). To Robert W. Hay, Esqr., &c., &c.