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Historical Records of New Zealand

Governor King to Marquis Wellesley

Governor King to Marquis Wellesley.

(King Papers.)

New South Wales, 2nd October, 1801.

My Lord,—

I had the honor of receiving your Excellency’s Despatch in Council by the Hunter bark, dated 18th December last.*

I hope my several letters by the Trimmer, Anne, and John have arrived. Duplicates thereof I have the honor to enclose,

* Ante, p. 221.

page 224 from which it will appear I have paid the utmost attention to your wishes respecting the prevention of convicts, and those who ever have been convicts, going in ships bound to India; and the masters giving penalty bonds for such of the latter description as may go from hence.

The conduct of William Hingston,* mentioned in your Excellency’s letter, has been so extremely dishonest, that I have directed the proprietor of the ship Hunter (which he was entrusted with) to state his case in the enclosed affidavit, by which you will perceive that the representation he made respecting having Governor Hunter’s leave to return here with a cargo from Bengal, was framed to serve his own purpose, as he had no other authority than to touch at New Zealand for a cargo of masts, and to sell the ship at Bengal as a prize. In this place it is necessary I should possess your Excellency of that article of His Majesty’s instructions relative to vessels not being allowed to have any intercourse with India from hence, and when I assure your Excellency of my strict adherence to that instruction, I hope no faith will be put in the declaration of any people who may eventually take any vessel from hence without my permission in writing, which will never be granted except in such cases of necessity as are at present unforeseen.

I feel much obliged to your Excellency’s wish to promote the interests of this colony, and you may rest assured that no exertion shall be wanting on my part to prevent the emigration of any description of people from this colony to any port of India.

I am, &c.,

Philip Gidley King.

* William Hingston was master of the Hunter. The enclosure is not available.