Rev. J. Hamlin, Church of England Missionary.

"Conquest alienates the land, but it has its quibbles, conquest and occupation give a valid title to land. If the conquered party return, occupy and bold the land from which they were driven, the land is theirs. Hence the Tamaki land still remained in the possession of the Thames natives, though driven from it by Hongi, but they did not consider their occupation of it safe, and therefore sold it. If the conquered people return to their lands by permission of the conqueror, the land does not become theirs, unless a transfer of the land is made to them by the conquerors. But all these acknowledge native rights were by might often set aside, and arbitrary power ruled.