These Records were copied by the Editor from among the Consular Reports of the Bay of Islands in the Office of the Secretary of State, Washington, U.S.A.

Owing to the immense development of American whaling on the coast of New Zealand, the United States Government, early in 1839, appointed Mr. James R. Clendon, a resident at the Bay of Islands, as United States Consul. His correspondence with the Secretary of State during the early days of the consulate is here given. The outward correspondence, including the correspondence which resulted in the appointment of a consul, is not available.

In copying the Returns some of the material supplied to the American Government has been omitted as not being of special interest from a New Zealand point of view.

The Editor desires to acknowledge the kindness of the Officers of the Secretary of State's Department in permitting the correspondence to be copied.