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No. 12.
Copy of a Despatch from
Governor Hobson to the Principal Secretary of
State for the Colonies.
My Lord,—
I have the honour to refer your Lordship to a petition addressed to Her Majesty from some of the inhabitants of Port Nicholson, praying for my removal from this Government, which I apprehend was forwarded in the early part of June in this year, a copy of which is contained in the file of papers I herewith transmit.
It is highly repugnant to my feelings to offer any defence against charges so
unjust and so unfounded; but, for your Lordship's information, I beg to state that I
deny that Port Nicholson is either geographically or locally adapted for a seat of
Government I deny also that I have ever sent a vessel to entice away from Port
Nicholson any artificers or labourers who could be induced to leave that settlement,
and I beg respectfully to submit to your Lordship that, in the absence of any clue
to or knowledge of the intentions of Her Majesty's Government towards the settlers
at Port Nicholson, and without the authority usually vested in a Governor, I could
not visit that settlement with any advantage to the inhabitants. These three
allegations form the grounds of the petition. The first page 166is met by a contradiction founded on authority the most
authentic and disinterested that could be procured. The second I deny in distinct
and positive terms; premising, however, that I did cause to be hired for the service
of Government, in erecting this house, the mechanics and labourers mentioned in the
margin,* for whom a free passage was provided in a ship that was casually passing
between the ports; but, so far from this step being taken in a clandestine manner, I
advertised for workmen generally throughout the colony, without reference to Port
Nicholson more than any other settlement where there might be men wanting
employment. To the third I trust your Lordship will consider that I have given a
sufficient reply.
I have, &c.,
W. Hobson.
* Four pair of sawyers, 2 stonemasons, 4 carpenters, 5 labourers.