1814-1853 - The Missionary Register [Sections relating to New Zealand.] - 1815 - New Zealand--Church Missionary Society, p 188-201

There appears to be now a fair opening for us at New Zealand. The natives are very industrious, and desirous to learn the European Arts. They solicit instruction.

The people of England, through a natural bias in favour of their own countrymen, can dwell on the cruelties and savage habits of the people of New Zealand. But the time is now arrived when they must hear of the cruelties of men, who bear the Christian Name, among these very savages; and this by official documents, supported and established by respectable witnesses.

We heard in England with horror of the massacre of Captain Thompson of the Boyd and his men. I am not disposed to plead in favour of a law which does not discriminate the innocent from the guilty. Yet we were not at that time told the whole of the truth. Previous to this fatal catastrophe some of our countrymen had been committing great depredations at New Zealand. The tops of the growing potatoes had been pulled up. The stores had been broken open by force, and the potatoes, which the natives greatly valued and wanted, and which

they had preserved with much care for their own support until the next potatoe season, had been violently taken away. This conduct, added to the cruel behaviour of Captain Thompson in flogging a young chief whom he had on board, taking from him the property which he possessed and had procured at Port Jackson, and sending him naked on shore, led to the destruction of the Boyd.

Another engagement of a more dreadful nature ensued. Some of our South-Sea Whalers, by way of retaliation, united in destroying the inhabitants and habitations of a whole district. They spared neither men, women, nor children. One would have thought that Englishmen would have been more pitiful in their resentment; and would have permitted the women and children, at least, to live. But they did not. They were at too great a distance from Britain! They also mistook with respect to the objects of their fury; and actually destroyed an innocent and unoffending people, who had nothing to do with the Boyd.

In this carnage our friend, the enlightened Tippahee, was slain. This was the Chief of whom Mr. Marsden has written to the Society with so much pleasure.

If it should please God to spare me, I hope I shall shortly be enabled to transmit you some interesting accounts of these people from my own observation. I am persuaded, in the mean time, that when the documents which Mr. Marsden has in his possession shall be made public in England, the characters of the South-Sea Islanders will appear in a better light; and that their good opinion and good offices may be obtained, by persons who visit them, provided they treat them with common civility and common honesty. The way is, therefore, plain before us.

I pray that God may give to me and my companions faith to rely upon his promises; and excite in our hearts, by his Holy Spirit, a tender compassion for the souls of our perishing fellow-creatures: so that God our Saviour may be glorified in the work to which we are appointed by the Society; and that the prayers and offerings of its members, so far as they respect us, may not be put up in vain.

It has been said (he observes), that "few vessels ever left the coasts of New Zealand without the loss of some part of their crew." This is a serious charge; which I cannot, however, believe to be true. When the New Zealanders are provoked, by insult and ill treatment, they will undoubtedly retaliate with the utmost fury; but I cannot learn that they have generally, if at any time, been the first aggressors. They have, on the contrary, in a variety of cases which have been incorrectly stated in British Newspapers, suffered much from the tyranny and wanton abuse of those, who, in conformity with the "Name" by which they are called, ought to be distinguished by their mild and humane dealing, before they have returned the fatal blow. It is known that Captain Thompson had flogged Tahrayha, 1 one of the Chiefs now living at Whangaroa, previous to the destruction of the Boyd; and the Island of the late Tippahee, at Tippoonah, had been laid waste, the houses burnt with fire, and several men, women, and children shot, before the Natives killed some sailors belonging to a vessel named the New Zealander. From the best information which I have been able to obtain, I cannot learn that Tippahee had any share in the guilt attending the destruction of the Boyd, although he has been charged as a confederate with the resident Chiefs Tippoohee, Pippee, and Tahrayha. The British Captains, who united in revenging the deaths of their countrymen, appear to have been misled by some natives who were the enemies of Tippahee. It is asserted by respectable characters who visited him after the affair of the Boyd, and to whom he was very kind, that Tippahee was a real friend to Europeans.

I met with a person at Tippoonah, who informed me that many of our sailors, when they come into the harbour for necessaries, make it their practice to cheat and defraud the natives. He declared, that, if Englishmen would trade fairly, the natives were disposed most cheerfully to supply them with any thing they might want. They have, indeed, a particular desire to be at peace with us. They say we introduce amongst them potatoes, cabbages, turnips, &c. and tools of different descriptions, of which they are continually in want. Another consideration will operate most powerfully on the people of New Zealand, and will have a tendency to create in them much respect for England. They are particularly fond of bread. When once there is a sufficient quantity of wheat sown so as to enable the natives generally to know its value, they will esteem us still more highly; and New Zealand may, perhaps, at some future day, afford rich supplies of this article to our ships which traverse the Southern Pacific Ocean.

A prudent caution is no doubt indispensable in providing tor the security of vessels which touch at New Zealand, after the numberless depredations which have been committed. For if, in enlightened and civilized nations, the most salutary laws, with power to carry them into execution, are often insufficient for the protection of person and property; what can be expected among unenlightened men, but that, for the sake of gain, many will not scruple to rob and plunder? That a nation without religion is also deplorably corrupt, it would be in vain to attempt to deny. Duaterra says, that "some of his countrymen are very good, will work for their living, and wish for improvement; while others are very bad, will take a ship, or steal any thing." He is very desirous to adopt some salutary measures, to keep in subjection unruly and mischievous men; and to establish laws and regulations for the good order and well-being of his people. He is still anxious to make a Sunday at New Zealand. The observations of my friend appear to be very correct; and Englishmen 2 who touch at New Zealand would do well to convince the natives, that, although they are careful to keep the means of their preservation in their own hands, they are really their friends, and

that they will not cheat nor defraud them. Were this done, they would find many natives ready to supply them with the productions of the Island, and to render them other friendly services. The character of the New Zealanders has been very unfairly pourtrayed.

The New Zealanders are averse to drinking spirits. I do not think the Ava Root, which has done so much injury among the natives at Otaheite, grows here.

One day, when Whettohee and Toi were with me on an excursion, and I was reproving the latter for making use of some bad language which he had learnt from the seamen, Whettohee highly commended me. He repeated the blasphemous expressions of Englishmen, saying, they were "No good." Yes and No (he said) were good words to make use of. Ponahhoo, Depero, and Shunghee, learned the English Alphabet in five or six days. The latter has also written several copies of letters, some of which I send you.

The New Zealanders appear to have many deities; to which, however, I cannot learn that they pay any particular adoration.

Duaterra says the marriage-contract is made in the following manner. When a young man forms an attachment for a young woman, and is desirous to have her for his wife, he first consults her parents and brothers and sisters, whose consent he must obtain. If they are agreeable, and the young woman does not weep, she immediately becomes his wife. But if she weeps the first night of his paying her a visit; or if, on repeating his visits a second or third time, she continues to do so; he must drop his suit. Simple fornication is not considered a crime; but adultery is punished with death.

There can be no doubt but the language of the New Zealanders and Otaheiteans, and, indeed, of most of the natives of the South-Sea Islands, is radically the same. I have observed that a New Zealander can understand a native of Otaheite, Bolabola, or Owhyhee, in the course of a very few days. Mr. John Eyre, who has several years been under the protection of the (London) Missionary Society, has obligingly furnished me with a vocabulary containing some thousands of words, from which I or any future servant of the Society may expect great assistance.

The natives pronounce with difficulty the letters C, G,

H, J, X, and Z. The remainder of the English Alphabet they can articulate very well. It is my intention in my little vocabulary of the language to substitute K for C.

In giving an account of an uncivilized people, allowance ought to be made for ancient customs and usages, handed down from one generation to another for many ages. Because there are practices among the New Zealanders, which are in their nature abhorrent to the tender feelings, they have been condemned as the most savage and degraded of the human race. That the condition of these fallen children of our first offending parents is very low, cannot be denied: but I can, with strict adherence to truth, assert that there are indications of a nature so favourable as to encourage every attempt at their improvement. I really have discovered in them all that I could expect in a nation which has been for ages lost in heathen darkness. I trust the time is now arrived, when they are on the point of emerging from that state of barbarity in which they have been long buried. The men are intelligent; and many of them industrious, and full of ingenuity; fit for husbandmen and mechanics, as soon as they shall be favoured with the means of instruction. The women employ part of their time in making kakkahows (outward garments), mats, &c.; and would gladly learn, I doubt not, to spin and knit stockings, and the use of the needle. The children are lively, active, and witty: they made no stranger of me, after my first appearance among them: when they saw me, they usually said, "How do you do, Mr. Kendarro?" They then offered me their little parcels of millo, or thread, which they had made with their own hands, and asked me for fish-hooks, nails, and buttons, in return.

It has been truly said of the New Zealanders, that they are a noble race of men. They stand in need of our friendship; and, if proper steps were taken for their instruction in the arts, attention paid to their wants, and all our dealings with them carried on with justice and integrity, they would, by the Divine Blessing, soon be advanced in the scale of civilization. Then, indeed, might the Christian World look with more eager expectation, that the way was rapidly preparing in this part of the earth for their messengers of mercy, and for the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom: and that any attempt

is making to accomplish this glorious object, let the faithful rejoice; and let them rest satisfied, that God will, in his own due time, fulfil his gracious promises. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together, for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.

In a former letter, I informed you that Duaterra was very anxious to "make a Sunday" when he returned to New Zealand. He now tells me that he made one for five moons, or months; and then his countrymen told him that they did not believe that Europeans had a Sunday. From the general conduct of the masters of vessels who had put into the Bay of Islands, they had not observed any difference between the Sabbath-day and other days. Only two masters of vessels, Duaterra told me, had been particular in this respect. When the Active was there, the natives went with their potatoes, &c. for sale on the Sabbath: they were informed, it was the Lord's Sabbath, or a day sacred to rest; and that they could not receive any articles from them on that day. On board the Active they hoisted the English Colours on the Sabbath. Terra, a chief on the opposite side of the Bay, when he saw the colours, immediately ordered colours to be hoisted on shore, where he lived. Duaterra tells me, that the natives inquired for what reason the people on board the Active would not trade with them on that day: he told them the same which he had often done before, that it was a day of rest; and that God would be angry with them for working and selling things on the Sabbath, They were much afraid, and told him that they now believed that there was a Sabbath. I had given instructions

to the Master of the Active to be very particular in keeping the Sabbath. At the first interview which Duaterra had with the Governor, he requested that his Excellency would give, either colours to be hoisted, or a bell to be rung, or a drum to be beaten, to call the people together. He is still anxious to have a Sabbath-day; and I trust he will see one established there, to his present and eternal happiness!

Visit of New Zealand Chiefs to Port Jackson.

The following letter, from Mr. Marsden to the Secretary, will fully explain his views in inviting various Chiefs of the New Zealanders to pay a visit to Port Jackson, and the intentions of this ardent friend of those islanders in accompanying the Chiefs on their return.

Dear Sir-- Parramatta, Sept. 20, 1814.

I am happy to inform you that the Active Brig returned safe from New Zealand on the 21st of August, after fully accomplishing the object of her voyage. My wish was to open a friendly intercourse between the Natives of that island and the Missionaries, previous to their final settlement among them.

The public prejudices have been very great against these poor heathens, both here and in Europe. Their acts of violence and their cruelties have been published to the world; but the causes that led to them have been concealed. Every act of fraud, murder, and oppression has been committed upon them from time to time, by Europeans. These Natives had no means of redress for the injuries which they suffered, but retaliation.

But as they were considered such monsters of cruelty, I did not think it prudent, in a public point of view, to send the Missionaries' wives and families, in the first instance; but to bring over some of the Chiefs to Port Jackson, and to establish a friendship with them. My old friend, Duaterra, with two other Chiefs and some of their relations, are now at Parramatta, living with me and Messrs. Hall and Kendall. There are now here eleven natives of New Zealand.

I considered that the Chiefs would learn more of civilized life, and the comforts attached to it, in two month

residence among us, than they could possibly acquire in years, in their own country, from the Missionaries. Besides, the Chiefs and their friends living with the Missionaries at present, would remove all apprehensions from the wives of the Missionaries; as a most cordial intimacy and friendship will now be formed among them. They will also see our mode of Public and Family Worship, by which their views will be greatly enlarged, and their minds opened to receive future instruction.

Duaterra is a man of a very superior mind. He is fully determined to improve his country, so far as his means and influence extend. Tools of agriculture are the only articles which he wants; and seeds to crop his ground. He assures me, that he will do all in his power to prevent future wars amongst his countrymen, and turn their minds to cultivate the land. No man could ever be worse treated than Duaterra has often been by Europeans: but he has the strongest attachment to them, from the hope, that, through their means, he may deliver his countrymen from their present degraded situation

The Missionaries and their Families are now under no fears; but are willing and anxious to live among the New Zealanders. I doubt not but the Divine Blessing will attend their labours; and that the Society will have the satisfaction of receiving good accounts from them hereafter.

I should have gone with Messrs. Kendall and Hall, in the Active, had the Governor given me his permission: but this he declined. It is my present intention to accompany them, when the Active returns, and to see them finally settled. I think my going along with them will give weight and importance to the Missionaries among the Chiefs and their People. I have obtained the Governor's sanction: as his Excellency conceives my going now will be attended with some public advantages. Many important duties, both of a public and private nature, press hard upon me; but this I consider of more importance than any other, and feel it my call to follow the openings of Providence. As few can enter into my views, various are the opinions of my conduct. I hope to erect the standard of Christ's kingdom there; and to hear the sacred trumpet sound the glad tidings of salvation. I consider New Zealand as the great Emporium of the

South-Sea Islands, inhabited by a numerous race of very intelligent men.

From my own observation of the natives belonging to the different islands in these seas (excepting the natives of New Holland), I think they are originally the same people; their language being very similar. Should the natives of New Zealand receive the Gospel, all the other islands also may be expected to receive its blessings. As fair a prospect appears to me to be now opened, as ever was for any Heathen Nation. The Divine Governor will, in his gracious providence, order all things well. Great objects are seldom obtained without great sacrifices and many difficulties. The civilization of the natives of New Zealand, and the introduction of the Gospel among them, is a work of vast magnitude. I have no doubt but it can be accomplished, and I firmly believe that the time is now at hand.

When Nehemiah and the Jews began to build the walls of Jerusalem, Sanballat was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked him and the Jews. Should Sanballat rise from the dead, faith and prayer with active zeal will again build the walls of Jerusalem.

Yours, &c.
(Signed) SAMUEL MARSDEN.

I shall give you the names of the Chiefs who are now at Parramatta, with those of their servants:--

Duaterra, a Chief, possesses considerable influence.

Shunghee, Duaterra's uncle, commands seventeen districts.

Kurrokurro, a warlike Chief, on the opposite shore in the Bay.

Toi, Brother to Kurrokurro, a fine young man, of good parts, learns English very fast: his father was priest.

Ponahhoo, related to old Tippahee, who was shot by Europeans.

Depero, son of Shunghee, a fine boy.

Warrakee, a common man.

Mowhee, ditto, reads and writes the English language.

Pyhee, Servant to Duaterra.

Tenhanah, a fine young man, learning to make nails,

Whyiattoo, a common man.

I shall send you some of the writing of Mowhee: he is at this moment taking a copy of a General Order issued by Governor Macquarrie relative to the Natives of the South-Sea Islands, which I intend to enclose.

To shew the Society the ingenuity of the Natives of New Zealand, I have sent a bust of Shunghee. Some of the Chiefs are tattooed. I told Shunghee one day, I wanted his head to send to England; and that he must either give me his head, or make one like it of wood. He asked me for an iron hoop; made himself a tool about five inches long, like a plane-iron, and tied a handle to it--took the end of an old post, and very soon made the bust which I have sent in the box directed to you. The lines and marks of the face are exact, and the whole is a good likeness of himself. His face is something fuller, and this was owing to the post being rather too small. 3 Shunghee is a very fine character; appears uncommonly mild in his manners, and very polite, and well behaved at all times. His districts are some distance from the Bay of Islands, in the interior. He had begun the cultivation of wheat, which I had sent to Duaterra.

Kurrokurro lives on the coast. He possesses several war canoes. He informs me that he takes a trading voyage sometimes for four moons; and goes in his canoes from the North to the South Cape of New Zealand. He describes the South Cape as very cold and stormy; and says that, at certain seasons, there is much snow and hail.

I am often greatly entertained with the accounts which they give of their country and manners.

Toi is very quick in learning. He renders great assistance to Mr. Kendall in the language. From his natural abilities, and the authority of his friends and connections, he may prove of great advantage to the Mission. A few nights ago, after Family Worship, one of my

children told me that Toi could say the Lord's Prayer. I was much surprised, and asked him to repeat what he knew. He immediately repeated a considerable part very distinctly. I explained the meaning of it to him, and he seemed very much to enter into it. Should the Lord, in his infinite goodness, make known to him the way of life, he would be a great man. After conversing with him for some time upon religion, I told him he would be a Priest; and, since his father had been a New Zealand Priest, he would be an English one. He was much pleased at what passed. He spends much time with Mr. Kendall, who is very partial to him. The friendship seems to be strong on both sides.

The Chiefs coming over to Port Jackson will, I trust, lay a firm foundation for the work of the Mission, and secure the comfort and safety of those who may be employed therein. Were I young and free, I should offer myself to this work. It would be my delight and my joy.

The Chiefs are all happy with us at Parramatta, and their minds enlarging very fast. Beholding the various works that are going on in the smiths' and carpenters' shops, the spinning and weaving, brick-making and building houses, together with all the operations of agriculture and gardening, has a wonderful effect on their minds, and will excite all their natural powers to improve their own country. The idea of my visiting them is very gratifying to their minds. At present I spend all the time I can spare with them, in conversing with them on all the different subjects that appear necessary for them to be acquainted with, particularly on the subjects of religion, government, and agriculture.

With respect to religion, I talk to them of the institution of the Sabbath-day by God himself; and they see it observed by us with particular attention. They see the prisoners mustered on Sunday Mornings, their names called over, and then marched to church. They see the soldiers and officers march to church likewise; and most of the people of the town of Parramatta.

As I have many complaints to settle as a magistrate, they frequently attend; when I explain to them, afterward, the different crimes and punishments that each has committed, and what sentence is passed upon them --some men confined for one moon, and some for more, in prison, according to their crimes.

With respect to agriculture, they visit different farms, observe the plough at work, some men with the hoe, some threshing, &c. etc. They tell me, that, when they return, they shall sit up whole nights, telling their people what they have seen; and that their men will stop their ears with their fingers: "We have heard enough," they will say, "of your incredible accounts, and we will hear no more: they cannot be true."

I am fully convinced that the Chiefs, and particularly Duaterra, and Shunghee, who commands seventeen districts, will apply all their strength to agriculture, if they can obtain hoes and axes. I shall send a list of these by Captain Bunker. Mr. Kendall and Mr. Hall write to you also; and state their views and intentions.

I think no Society was ever engaged in a greater work than the Church Missionary Society is in this. The ground is wholly occupied by the Prince of Darkness; and many and powerful difficulties will, no doubt, one way or another, spring up to oppose this great work. But the Lord is King amongst the Heathen, and will, I have no doubt, establish his Throne there.

I am, &c.
(Signed) SAMUEL MARSDEN.

Sydney Gazette, Saturday, August 27, 1814.

On Tuesday arrived the brig Active, Capt. Dillon, from New Zealand; for which place she sailed from hence 4th of March last, for the purpose of establishing a friendly intercourse with the natives; for which purpose Mr. Kendall and Mr. Hall, by appointment of the Rev. Mr. Marsden, accompanied the voyage. She called

at the Derwent in her way; and, arriving at the Bay of Islands the 10th of June, found very hospitable treatment from the chiefs and other inhabitants of that quarter. During her stay, which was about six weeks, the James Haye touched there (8 days from hence), and after procuring a few spars, took her departure for Europe, all well.

Three Chiefs, one of whom has been to England, and others of inferior rank, expressing a desire to visit this Colony, they were readily received on hoard the Active as passengers. One of them is Chief of the district formerly ruled by Tippahee; and another commands an extensive territory, which contains seventeen towns. Shortly after their arrival they were introduced into the presence of his EXCELLENCY the GOVERNOR, who treated them with particular kindness, and made them presents, with which they were, as well as with their reception, highly gratified. Some of these strangers are now on a visit to Parramatta; and, it is not to be doubted, will, wherever they go, receive such treatment as to inspire in their untaught minds notions of Europeans very different from those with which the conduct of some of our mariners had, in their own country, possibly impressed them.