our property did so, without any expectation of compensation, being allowed, otherwise we should have obtained a price at least equal to the Provincial Surveyors estimate vide, 950£s whereas, in the absence of any such, promise, at the time of sale we only obtained 505, £s, for the two houses, regarding the pledge as personal to myself, and being no longer in a position to derive any benefit from its fulfilment, it would be infinitely more agreeable to me, that the Government should derive, the advantage, of the low peice realized. At any rate it is manifest, that the present holders have no claims against the P. G. For ourselves, your Honor, may find other ways of requiting my son, and self, for the aid we afforded, in seconding your Honors action in the purchase of the Wairoa, without presuming to tax your Honor with being in any way indebted, to my humble assistance, in the attainment, of your present high position, I may be permitted to say that I was the first person that openly and in print, drew the attention of the Public to your preeminent claims to be their Representative. I now further venture to say that not six months will elapse without your having offered to your acceptance the distinguished post of Native Minister, and this I boldly say, that no man in these Colonies is so entirely fitted to occupy that position as yourself, and none, could render an equal amount of invaluable services to the colonies, as yourself in the discharge of those greatly responsible duties, involved in such position should my prediction prove correct I trust no considerations, will, avail to prevent your Honor's courageously accepting the Post, onerous, as it must necessarily be. I need not say that my best wishes, and