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Civilisers and Savages: The two Captains

It was not until many months after our successful settleme had been made at Port Nicholson (Wellington) by Colon Wakefield that the Colonial Minister determined on mak[unclear: ing] a settlement at Auckland on behalf of the British government for which purpose Captain Hobson was sent in a man-of-[unclear: v] to negotiate with the native chiefs resident upon that c[unclear: o.] for the grant or sale of lands for this object.

On the arrival of Captain Hobson a large assembly Newzealand chiefs took place, and the question was debat for three days with much earnestness in the presence of [unclear: a] captain of the British man-of-war, in which ship Cap[unclear: tain] Hobson had gone as a passenger.

The Newzealand chiefs expressed a perfect willingness receive the English settlers and to trade with them; but only difficulty raised and insisted upon was that they fear the English would wish to bring soldiers to Newzealand, [unclear: a] then, they said, they should be sure to quarrel and fight.

A treaty accordingly was made, and signed by all pres[unclear: s] amongst whom the captain of the man-of-war was also quested to sign it, which he did; and on the following [unclear: a] sailed for Sydney with despatches to the governor of to settlement from Captain Hobson, stating that he had [unclear: s]ceeded in forming a settlement at Auckland, but reques the governor to send the man-of-war back immediately wi[unclear: th] company of soldiers, in direct violation of the engagement had entered into on the previous day.

The governor of Sydney communicated the purport these despatches to the captain of the man-of-war, and [unclear: f] posed to send the soldiers to Newzealand in his sh[unclear: all] but he was so indignant at this gross breach of faith, that absolutely refused to take them, having been a party to [unclear: t] solemn treaty and engagement—" that no soldiers should sent to Newzealand."

Thus the very first act of Lord John Russell's govern was a breach of faith with the native chiefs and people Newzealand.

(Major Palmer, 186[unclear: 6]