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to give you an idea of the Thames, and what it will more than probably rise to in length of time. The period is, I hope, near at hand, when those extensive plains will stand thick with corn, and the lofty pines break forth into singing; and the voice of joy and gladness be heard in the dwellings of those poor Heathens, who are now literally sitting in darkness and the

itself into the Thames, and about
thirty or forty miles from the latter
river, there is exceedingly fine land,
and a great population. This land is
not liable to be flooded; and, from the
nature of its soil, could be cultivated
at little expense. The Natives grow
immense quantities of potatoes;
which, with fish, form their principal
food.
The above remarks will be sufficient shadow of death.

Extracts from the Communications of the Rev. John Butler. Feb. 5, 1821.-On Wednesday last, the Chief Rewa, and a great many of the Natives of our district, set out on a war expedition. I endeavoured to dissuade him, by all the arguments in my power, but to no purpose. He assured me, however, that he would neither kill nor destroy any person or thing, unless the party which he was going to visit began first. In a few days he returned; and I find that he strictly adhered to his promise, for he did not fight at all.

Feb. 17.-The Natives employed in fencing, farining, &c. go on remarkably well. We have enjoyed great peace and tranquillity, among the Natives in general, for some time. There has been but very little sickness among them this summer; so far as I am able to learn. In the summer months, diarrhea is often very prevalent among them. When ill, they will apply for tea and other little comforts; but at the same time assert, that it is the God of the White People who afflicts them. They have no notion of a God of Love and Mercy. How dreadful is Heathen Darkness! I have often endeavoured to convince them of the absurdity of this notion; by pointing them to the works of creation, and the goodness of God in providing food for every living thing.

[Some Convicts had concealed themselves on board a Whaler, and had escaped on shore. Mr. Butler speaks of two of these men in the following extract.]

March 6.-I found two of the Convicts in the hands of a Chief, who was

then in the very act of consulting with his friends about killing them. I instantly interfered, and begged them to hear what I had to say. They replied, "They are nothing but slaves and thieves: they look like bad men, and are very ragged: they do not helong to you, and we think they are some of King George's bad cookeys." I told them that they were so: but then they must not kill them; for, if they did, King George would be very angry. Ifurther stated, that I should be exceedingly sorry to see such cruelty; and that the great God would be angry with them. After a great deal of discussion, their passion abated, and they agreed not to kill them; but the Chief, who had them in possession, said, that they should go back to his place, and work for him four months, and then he would give them up to go on board any ship that would take them to King George's Farm at Port Jackson; and that if they worked well, he would be very kind to them and give them plenty of victuals. I replied that I hoped they would all be very kind to them, which would make my heart glad. I then made the Chief a present of a large tokee, and distributed some fish-hooks among his friends; and they seemed much pleased. The prisoners stood by trembling, and begging of me to do all that I could for them. Indeed their case grieved me to the heart. I never saw two more deplorable objects in my life. I endeavoured to pass by all their iniquity, in order to 'feel for their misery. I counselled

them to go willingly with the Chief and do all in their power to oblige him, until something could be done for them. After some further conversation, the Chief set off in his canoe, taking the prisoners with him. April 7, 1821.-The Sawyers, who are cutting timber for my house, go on very well. Mrs. Butler cooks for them, and we give them all the encouragement in our power. I hope to have a house to live in, by Christmas next. The Natives employed in husbandry go on well: they are partially clothed with European garments, and are continually begging for more. These may seem but little things; but they are not to be despised. It gives me pleasure to see them anxious to abandon their native filthiness, for the cleanliness of civil life.

There is a great and manifest change for the better, among all the Natives of this large district, since we have been with them. I hope the dark night of Heathenism, which has so long enveloped New Zealand, is nearly at an end. The general aspect of things, like the reddening streaks of the East, foretel the approach of the glorious Sun of Righteousness, to illuminate and bless this dark and benighted people. My Son Samuel is busily employed among the Natives, and improving them in every possible way.

April 9.-Mr. F. Hall, Samuel Butler, and myself went into the bush with our Natives, to collect the cattle and examine them. We had the pleasure of seeing them look remarkably well.

April 10.-I set out, accompanied by Mr. F. Hall, on a journey to Wyemattee. As nearly twelve months had elapsed since my last visit to this large Native Settlement, I felt desirous of seeing it again, especially at the present time, it being their harvest; and I wished to satisfy myself, as nearly as I could, of the quantity of Indian Corn and Sweet Potatoes raised by them this year. Moreover,

as the Wyemattee people and those of Kiddeekiddee are all of one Tribe, I feel it a duty to go round this large district as often as I can, to encourage them to habits of industry, and to instruct them in every practicable way. Nothing tends more to conciliate their affections, and to gain their confidence, than such visits.

We had the pleasure of seeing a much larger quantity of corn and potatoes than was grown last year. Every where, we were received with the greatest kindness: every one seemed desirous of shaking hands with us, and of accommodating us with the best he had.

April 19.-We were visited by a Chief, named Shourackee, whose place is about seven miles down the river, towards the mouth of the harbour. He has been away a long time, on a war expedition toward the South Cape of New Zealand. The chief place of action seems to have been at a district called Enamatteeora, about 400 miles from the Bay of Islands. He has brought away forty prisonersof-war as slaves, several of whom were in his canoe: they were men of noble stature: they appeared much dejected. Several women that he had taken, were also in the canoe; one of whom, a Chief's daughter, he had made his wife. Her father had been slain in battle, and his head was in the canoe with several others: when it was held up as a trophy, the poor creature lay down in the canoe, covering herself with her mat.

I asked the reason of his visit, when he said, "I am come to see you-you are a god, and I am a god.” Such is the pride and ignorance of Heathenism! I shuddered at the expression, and endeavoured to humble his pride by the most convincing arguments; well knowing, however, at the same time, that nothing could do this but the grace of God.

April 26-I have at this time twelve Native Cultivators, eight Sawyers, and three hewers of wood and drawers of water. And although

we have a great deal to put up with, from their innumerable queries and excessive talkativeness, yet I have abundant reason to be satisfied with them. My general title among them is "Father;" and Mrs. Butler's, is "Mother." Both in a temporal and - spiritual sense, our united prayers are, that we may become such to them in very deed!

May 3, 1821.-Moodeewhy, Chief in the Shukeangha, came to me, begging to have some seed. I gave him as much as I thought he would sow in the season; and promised to visit him and his people, and to see the wheat when growing.

May 25. Our great Chief, Tarriar, came to the Settlement yesterday. He dined and breakfasted with us. He was very importunate for an adze, some fish-hooks, a file, a knife, and a blanket. I gave him all that he requested, except a blanket which I informed him that I had not to spare at present. He was much pleased, and said he would never more steal from the Missionaries or be angry with them. Tarriar was considered the greatest savage in New Zealand: he is still a savage, but has greatly improved since we have been at Kiddeekiddee.

We have reason to believe that Tarriar killed three Slaves at Wyemattee last week, which were afterward eaten by himself and friends. This is a dreadful custom, prevalent among all the tribes in New Zealand when Slaves commit theft. Tarriar, I understand, caught them in the very act of stealing some of his sweet potatoes, and killed them on the spot.

May 26.-For the last fortnight, we have employed, in cultivation, 17 Natives. The labour of clearing, breaking-up, and burning-off, is very great at first. I have, however, six acres of wheat, one of oats, and one of barley in the ground; which will produce, I hope, by the blessing of God, a plentiful crop. The Natives around us, and particularly those whom we employ, have become

sensible of the comforts of civil life: they are daily crying out for European garments, blankets, bread, tea, and sugar; with every other thing that is necessary for the well-being of man, in a temporal point of view: and shall they cry in vain, because they are poor and wretched, and have nothing to return? God forbid !

The Farmers and Sawyers under my care, have each a good suit of European clothes, which they earned by their industry. They manifest a desire to be clean on the Sabbath Day, which pleases me much. They applied to-day, as usual, for some soap, and the Sawyers appeared much disappointed because I had none left to give them they all urged their claim, by saying that they did not like to be seen on the Sunday with a dirty shirt, while all the Europeans were "waakah pipi"; that is, very clean.

June 30.-We have enjoyed peace and tranquillity for a long time; and we lay ourselves down at night to rest, with as much composure as if we were in a civilized country, and surrounded with guards. God is allsufficient! He will shew us greater things than these.

July 6. Since the 2d. we have been employed in preparing the land for oats, and afterward in sowing them. This is the last time of sowing them this seed-time. I have, in the whole, thirteen acres of wheat, barley, and oats.

July 12.-We, this morning, heard of Mr. Kendall's arrival at Rangheehoo in the Ship Westmoreland, with Shunghee and Why kato, all in good health. Many prayers have been put up for them since their departure.

July 27.-This afternoon, Tywan gha, my Native Foreman, was wantonly speared through the elbow and almost through the thick part of his thigh, while working in the garden. The man who had committed this rash act (through unfounded jealousy, as afterward appeared) walked off: he had not gone far, before he met a

lad belonging to me with a basket of potatoes on his shoulders: he seized the basket, and instantly ran off. On seeing this, my Son and two Natives ran and overtook him, and took it from him. Mr. F. Hall, myself, Samuel Butler, and some of my Natives, then ascended the hill behind the Settlement, and found two other baskets, which the man and his friends had taken from my people while they were bringing them home: we succeeded in recovering one basket, but not without some resistance. We were then obliged to go on the road, to prevent others from sharing the same fate.

I do not like contending with these people, even to save my own property; but we are obliged to be quite firm. If the Natives find any persons afraid of them, or who will suffer their property to be taken away with impunity, they will not only rob them of every thing, but tread them under their feet. It requires great wisdom to know how to act. They greatly dislike a fearful, timid person: such a character, while New Zealanders continue in their present state, can possess but little influence, and, consequently, his usefulness must be greatly impeded. Very small men, cowards, and cripples, are held in the greatest contempt by these people.

Tywangha is now, and has ever been, since our arrival at New Zealand, one of the most active and zealous of all the Natives, in working for and assisting the Europeans: he has never flinched from his duty, either by night or by day, whether wet or dry. He has accompanied me in all my journeys-has been my guide-and has carried me through rivers, and swamps, &c. I engaged him soon after our arrival, and he has never left us: he has been constantly employed, and has been most diligent and active. He is quick in discerning, and learns agriculture very fast. He understands very well the breaking-up of land, burning-off the

rubbish, laying it out, and trenching, &c. I have taught him to reap, and mow, and thrash, &c. I have, this seed time, begun to teach him to sow, dibble, &c. and, ere these lines reach you, I have no doubt, God willing, but he will be a complete farmer. He has a good knowledge of garden; ing: he can form beds, plant out, sow small seeds, drill peas and beans, dress strawberries, plant potatoes, &c. In short he has been my right hand; and has not merely wrought himself, but has brought his friends into the field of labour.

All Europeans that have visited the Settlement, have expressed their sur prise at the quantity of farming, fencing, gardening, &c. which has been done in so short a time, and under such peculiar circumstances; but this man it is who has put every wheel in motion. In felling timber, towing it to the Settlement, and in sawing it, he stands the first. I pay him an axe per month; and provide him with European Clothes,

Aug. 1, 1821.-Dressing a bed of hops. I have fourteen hills of hops, which look exceedingly fine: the plants are very strong. I brought a single root from Port Jackson, and planted the whole from it, last spring, and I gathered a small sprinkling of fine hops from them in the season, This year, I hope they will produce a full and good crop.

Aug. 18.-A Native Woman, hav ing taken offence, being fully bent on mischief, went to Shunghee, who is her relation, and to all her friends, and informed them, that, during Shunghee's absence, Mr. Puckey's daughter (not twelve years old) said to Shunghee's daughter, that, when he came back, she would cut off his head, and cook it in the iron pot; and thus she succeeded in stirring up the Natives, who are always glad of any pretence to seize on our property.

About the middle of the night, the Natives came, and took out of Mr. Puckey's yard a male and a female

goat; which they killed, and devoured in a short time. They also took one sow in pig, and nine store pigs; and from Mr. Fairburn, one goat and three fowls; and one hog from Mr. Bean.

Aug. 19, 1821, Sunday.-This morn ing, about five o'clock, many Na. tives rushed into Mr. Puckey's yard, and others into the kitchen; using dreadful words, and taking every thing away. The Settlement was thrown into the greatest consternation, as no one could tell to what length they would go. Mr. Puckey, with his Wife and Children, were cry. ing and intreating; and, as for me, I durst not speak: my place being next, I expected they would break in every moment. However, Rewa, who is as great a Chief as Shunghee and has always stood our friend, came running down from his place quite naked, rushed in, and turned them out in a few minutes; but they, nevertheless, took away many articles. Mr. Puckey's Son sleeps in the kitchen; and when the Natives broke in, two of them laid hold on him, as he lay in his cot, by the hair, holding up a hatchet, and threatening to cut off his head if he uttered a word.

At length, peace was restored, and we thought all was over; but my mind was so much agitated, that it was with the utmost difficulty that I performed Divine Service.

We began Service as usual at eleven, and Mr. Puckey and his Son attended. We had not begun many minutes, ere he was called out, and told that the Natives were taking his chickens. He went and begged of them to desist, but they paid no attention: they took them all away. The Service ended about one o'clock.

We had scarcely got in doors, before another party got over the fence into Mr. Puckey's yard. I knew several of them to be Shunghee's relations, whom I begged to desist; but, in an instant, they broke open the door and rushed into the house. Puckey's dinner was on the table. They took

all the food, broke the plates and dishes, took away the knives and forks, and threw about a bag of flour and one of wheat. Some of my Natives went and acquainted Rewa, who came, with several others, as soon as pos sible: he was dreadfully angry; and I was now afraid that they would fight among themselves: but the intruders were soon cleared from the house by Rewa and his friends, without blows, Rewa told them that Shunghee ought to be ashamed of his conduct, for he had been to England, and had been loaded with kindness, and had returned to fight and destroy the White People. A Native, who heard that Puckey had been struck, went and killed one of Shunghee's hogs immediately, as a recompense: and while Cooheecoohee and his people (Shunghee's friends) were plundering Puckey's place, Rewa's Brother went and took away Cooheecoohee's potatoes, as a payment.

[Mr. Francis Hall remarks on this scene, in his Journal—“It is the custom of the New-Zealanders, when they are much offended with one another, to seek revenge by destroying the house, stealing the potatoes, &c. of the offending party: but no instance had occurred, since the Mission was established, of such an act of violence on an European, as to break open his dwelling." He adds this devout prayer -"O Lord, help us, by faith, to put our trust in Thee-to stand still, and see Thy salvation: Oh, restrain the violence of these Heathens, and make all things, however painful to us, work together for good, and enable us patiently to bear the spoiling of our goods."]

Rewa and his friends now determined to stop and guard the place.

Afterward I sent a Native Lad for Shunghee; and advised Mr. Puckey also to go, and beg of him to come and let us know what all this outrage meant. Shunghee, and several other Chiefs, accordingly came; and when they had entered Mr. Puckey's house, I immediately followed. After sitting

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