PUBLIC MEETING.

New Zealander, Volume 2, Issue 78, 28 November 1846, Page 4

PUBLIC MEETING.

A numerous and respectable Meeting was held in the Hall of the Mechanics' Institute, on Thursday last, for the purpose of considering the propriety of adopting a Memorial to Her Majesty upon the subject of the ordinances framed at the last session of the Legislative Council. Amongst those present we noticed some ot the leading land-holders, and most influential men in the district. William Field Porter, Esq., J. P., was called to the chair ; and after having stated the purpose for which the meeting had been assembled, the chairman said, that he wished to offer a few observations upon oue, in particular of the acts of the last session of the Legislative Council; namely, the Native Land Purchase Ordinance. That ordinance was, in his opinion, of a most injurious, arbitrary, and oppressive character, and calculated to destroy the best interests of the colony ; for not only would agricultural operations be impeded, but all trade j between the European and Aboriginal inhabitants of the ; country, would by it be completely obstructed. The j bill is in direct accordance with the recommendation of the New Zealand Company's committee of the House j of Commons, and in direct contradiction to the declaration of Sir Robert Peel, who said in the House of Commons, that it was not intended to take away the natives' land, either directly or indirectly. This act, and another passed about the same date, were, he (the chairman contended, of the most injurious tendency as regarded the interests of this part of the colony, as they were evidently intended to keep up the one pound an acre system. The prcimble of the bill states, that it js intended to prevent illegal purchases and occupation, but the bill itself takes away land which lias been legally purchased, and over which the Crown's right of preemption has been waived ; and how any set of men could pass it, he for one, could not imagine. It was said however, that the penalties of this measure should not be enforced in all cases, but only in some special instances where it would be neejessary for the Governor to interfere to prevent injustice, and for that reason, an Informer General was appointed, who alone could bring forward charges of any breaches of the law; but he would maintain that the Governor himself was bound to execute that law as he found it ; and to make no distinctions by endeavouring to displace one class of occupiers, while others remained uninterrupted. Such a course of pariiality would be as unjust, unfair, and absurd, as the ordinance itself, which he deprecated. He, the Chairman, would not detain the meeting any longer, but leave it for those gentlemen who would follow him, to enter more fully into the subject for which the meeting had been called.— (The chairman resumed his seat amidst general applause.) Mr. Joshua Thorpe, of the Thames district, then rose to move the first resolution. He said, that lie considered it was a great pity for the Europeans of this colony, that the Governor was compelled to act by the instructions sent from the Home Government. It was very certain that Governor Grey knew as well as any man in that meeting that the system of disposing of waste lands at one pound an acre was impracticable in this colony; (hear hear), indeed no reasonable man could deny it. And as for the other Colonies, the system was just as absurd when applied to them. It was true that in some instances, gambling speculators had paid so high as £5 an acre for country land in South Australia, but which lands they were obliged afterwards to sell at ss. an acie. The system of a universal upset piice of £1 an acre for lands in the Australian Colonies was a most injurious one, and so long at it was persisted in theie would be no encouragement for emigration or prosperous colonisation. (Hear, hear) ft was not for the sake of advocating the principle of the penny-an-acre proclamation tint he, Mr. Thorpe, came forward at that meeting? but for the sake of maintaining the rights of Englishmen, which he thought had been infringed by the restriction which were placed upon the ac misition of land in this distant colony of Her Majesty's dominions. He was convinced that the Governor believed this system of disposing of Crown lands was unjust, but it was not his Excellency's place to oppose it ; it was the duty of the British Settlers in the colony, in the absence of a representative assembly, to offer every legitimate opposition to this unjust system, which he contended was impossible to be carried out in New Zealand. Mr. Thorpe concluded by proposing the following resolution : Ist. — ThattUe oppressive tendency of some of the measures enacted during the recent session of the Legislative Council , renders it necessary that the inhabitants of lit is District should adopt the. only constitutional method in their power of procuring the alteration, if not disallowance of the objectionable laws; and that this Meeting moat distinctly avows, that the interests, feelings, and opinions, of the Public have neither been studied nor respected by the non-official members of Council, who, though nominated by the Representative of the Crown are usually supposed to advocate and represent the interests of the people. Mr. Goodfellow came forward to second the resolution. He said he would confine his observations more particularly to the Land Cl urn's Bill, and he would -just call the attention of the meeting to the following extract from Paley ;— •

"The first maxim of a free state, is that the laws be nude by one set of men and administered by another ; in other words that the legislative and judicial characters, be kept separate.— When these offices ate united in the same person or assembly, particular laws are made for particular oases, springing often times fiom partial motives, and directed to private ends— whilst they are kept separate, general laws are made by one body of men, without foreseeing whom they may affect and when made, must be applied by the other let them affect whom they will." He, Mr. Goodfellow, conceived that this enactment was totally at variance with the maxim he had just read ; and so far as lie could judge, there was no freedom left to the colonists of this Country, for the very measures which were lately passed gave indication of the condition of slavery in which every settler was placed. As regarded the non-official members of the Legislative Council, he was perfectly astonished at their conduct. Mr. Kennedy, who, at least, ought to have been well acquainted with money matters, should have known well that the debentures proposed for compensation for the lands of claimants, were not worth 10s. in the pound ; and how the Council could be so unjnstas to entertain the thought of giving such documents in exchange for the lands acquired under the regulations of the Government itself, was more than he could comprehend ! The fact was, to say the very least of the non-official members, their conduct had been pussillanimous in the extreme : and he felt no hesitation in seconding the j resolution. (Applause.) i Dr. Campbell rose to move an amendment to the resolution, lie considered that that part of it which implicated the non-official members, was ill-timed, illplaced, and conceived in rather an illiberal feeling towards those gentlemen ;/who, he believed, had consciences as well as othersftjjpd, in their duties as legislators, had not departed" from the dictates of the same. However the acts of the late Council might be received, he believed there was no occasion, by implication, to impugn the conduct of the non-official members, who, he was of opinion, had acted consistently with their own views of the measures brought before them. Besides, the wording of the resolution as it then stood, was I ill-judged, and calculated to have a bad tendency, when promulgated in the public journals, as showing that the community had no confidence in the non-official members of the Legislative Council. He would therefore ! propose the following amendment: — " That tl c concluding sentence of the resolution now before tha meeting, commenting and animadverting upon the co 1 luct of the non-otficial members of the Legislative CmucU, be struck out." Me. Philip Wright seconded the amendment, which was put and negatived, and the original resolution carried by a large majority. Mr. Thomas Cleghorn, then came forward to move the next resolution :—: — 2nd.— That this meeting regards the Native Land Purchase Bill in particular, as an unjus>t and arbitrary measure, and one that is calculated to excite the suspicions, and rou^e the jealous apprehensions of the entne Native population, inasmuch as it is a virtual abrogation of tne Treaty of Waitangi, and that therefore this meeting does now adopt the following Petition, praying Her Mobt Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, to prevent the honor and integrity of the British Government from being questioned by the Natives, by withholding from th'.s Law Her Royal Assent. Mr. Cleghorn said, that in viewing the Native Land Purchase Ordinance, it had occurred to him, perhaps from feelings of charity towards the framers of that measure, that they iiad not properly studied all that was involved |in it. He had conceived that the bill might appear at first sight, to merely strike a blow at that class which might be termed " land sharks ;" and that those who framed it, and passed it into law, might have viewed it in no other light than this j bnt there were other, and more important principles involved in the ordinance, which, if they had been duly considered by the Council, would have caused them, he was convinced, to pause before they consented to such a law. The agricultural prospects of the Colony should be fostered ; in fact nothing would prosper, unless agriculture went forward. It was necessary, to make it worth a man's while to carry on such operations, that he should have the opportunity of acquiring cheap land, and sufficient of it for pasturage, which, in order to success, should go hand in hand with agriculture ; but how could a man with limited, or indeed, with any but very extensive means at his disposal, be in a position, under the existing restrictive laws, to employ his energies in bringing forward the agricultural prosperity of the country. Again, the measure was very ill-conceived as regarded the natives themselves. They have been now accustomed to look upon our proceedings as very unstable, and of a most fluctuating character; and this of itself is calculated to bring the Government into disrespect with men who are very shrewd and keen observers, and who cannot but look on with astonishment at the ever varying nature of our laws. The act of the late Governor in waiving the Crown's right of pre-emption, was hailed with approbation by both races, and under the sanction of that proclamation, transactions were entered into for purchases oi land; and. nothing deterred a general occupation of the soil so acquired, but the desire of the purchasers to have all their dealings confirmed % before they went to further expense ; and, had no impediment been thrown in the way, the soil, instead of bearing the aspect of barren, uncultivated wastes, would have blossomed like the rose, and many of the valleys in the country would have bjen decked with verdure. (Cheers.) But, it was proposed, that all this mischief should be gol over by the introduction of a squatting system. Now, although a system of this kind had pre- I vailed in the sister colonies, yet that did not prove its applicability to this country. There are no sufficient grazing grounds for cattle in New Zealand, without iirst clearing away the bush and tupaki scrub, and draining swamps, with other necessary preparations; the expense of which would only be incurred by men j who could look upon these improvements as contributing to enhance the value of their own property. But such expenses would never be incurred by those who ' merely held a temporary squatting oocupation. He i therefore would propose the resolution which he had just read. (Mr. Cleghoru sat down amidst prolonged applause.) Mr. Joseph Robinson rose to second the resolution. And said that he was surprised that two opinions could be held upon the natuie and tendency of the late land measures of the legislative Council. > He was certain that whoever agreed with all those enactments, had not given the subject proper consideration. The Governor had taken ior his guide an act which had been passed at home for regulating the sale of Waste Lands in the Australian Colonies at the time when New Zealand was a dependency of New South Wales, and consequently it was made applicable to this countiy. This act required that no less a sum than £\ an acre should be taken for Waste Lands belonging to the Crown, but, he would j ask, what had these regulations to do with the lands belonging to the natives of New Zealand? Were the rightful properties of the aboiiginal possessors of the .soil to be termed Waste Lands of the Crown, and the \ terms of the Land Sales Act to be applied to them 1 If such was to be the case, then the Treaty of Waitangi became violated, for the natives were no longer secured the control of their own rightful possessions, which every subject of her Majesty should uninterruptedly enjoy. The Land Claim's Bill had been concocted with a view to abolish the claims to laud which had

arisen out of the proclamations of the late Governor ; but he, the speaker, would advise the claimants to rest satisfied, that their honest claims would be allowed. The two proclamations which had been issued by the former Governor had been in some measure approved at-home, and the purchases effected under them were ordered to be recognised ; and even the present Governor, who was now exerting his influence against the Claimants, bad been instructed to respect the claims that he should I find existing under the proclamations of Governor FitzRoy. Now such being the state of the case, he contended that neither his present Excellency, nor his council, nor any power on earth could disannul what had been sanctioned by the home Government, except the home Government itself. (Cheers.) And any claimant who had strictly adhered to the regulations com- ] prised in the pre-emption system, bad nothing to do but go with his money in his hand to the Government, and demand a Crown Grant to his land, and if a title should be refused, the means could be used to compel the Government to give it. (The Chairman here interrupted the speaker, and trusted that he meant legal means.) Yes, he the speaker, was not contending for any other than the legal and constitutional means of opposition which every British subject had a right to employ, But the Governor did not seem to consider the peril in which the country might be placed by this i measure. It would be very easy for the discontented ' people to stir up the minds of the natives, so that evil | consequences might ensue. (Here the chairman again interposed, and requested the speaker to refrain from remarks that might be misconstrued.) He the speaker did not say that such course should be taken by the people, on the contrary he would denounce any such proceeding, but he considered the arbitrary tendency of the late measures might lead to very mischievous con-, sequences. The" colonists in this part of the country had been settled down to follow with industry their agricultural pursuits, upon land acquired by the gracious liberty given by the late governor, but his present Excellency comes to the country and endeavours to ride rough shod over the prospects of the country and trample under foot the rights and liberties of every British Settler. Before the resolution was put to the meeting, the memorial to which it referred was read; TO HER MOST GRACIOUS MAJESTY THE QUEEN. The humble Petition op the Undersigned Inhabitants or ?uz Northern District of New Zealand. Humbly sheweth,— That during the Session of the Legislative Council which has just closed, Ordinances have been introduced by His Excellency the Governor, and passed, many of them deeply directing the interest of your petitioners. That whilst some of these Ordinances were uncalled for by the wants or circumstances of the Colony, others are most injurious to many of your Majesty's petitioners, in particular, and in the highest degree detrimental to the interests generally of this district of your Majesty's Colony. That these Ordinances have been passed by a Council holding office entirely independent of your petitioners, and although the inhabitants of this district were almost unanimousiy opposed to some of the measures which were introduced ; these measures, passed the Council without a dissentient vote, there not having been a single division during the whole sitting of the Council, on any one of the {Ordinances embracing the most vaiied and important subjects. That your Majesty's petitioners entreat attention, in particular, to the " Native Land Purchase Ordinance," No. 19, of the Session, as an act of the most unjust and ruinous character. That your Majesty's petitioners believe this Ordinance to be an infringement on the rights of the Native race, and your petitioners cannot but fear the consequences of so direct and unnecessary an encroachment on the rights of a suspicious and easily excited people. That however proper it may be to discourage the acquisition of Native Land without the intervention of Government, the prevention of the use or occupation of «uch Lands for all the purposes speciiied in the said Ordinance, would be in effect to destroy nearly the entire export trade of the Colony, inasmuch as it would annihilate the greater part of the present whaling, timber, cattle, and trading stations, from which have been derived, at least, three-fourths of all the articles of export ; and. it would render the establishment of such stations impossible for the future. That, on the other hand, the system of granting licenses would involve the Government in every petty dispute relative to the use or occupation of land, frequently requiring interference in places where it could not be effectual ; and even|under the most favorable circumstances it could not be expected that capital, to any extent, would be invested on such slender security as the will of the Governor for the time being. That Native Lands have been used and occupied from the commencement of the Colony, without injury or inconvenience to any, but advantage to all; and your Majesty's petitioners cannot, therefore, but deplore the destruction of a beneficial and increasing trade, and the putting an end at the same time, in a great measuie, to the commercial intercourse now c< tried on between the races. That persons who are utteily ignorant of the existence of this law, and others who aie unable from circumstances to comply witli its provisions, have already unwittingly become liable to heavy penalties. That many of the Ordinances passed at the last Session of the Council, are framed so as to give great and arbitrary powers to the Governor, but by this Ordinance, especially, numbers are placed entirely at the mercy of any person appointed by the Governor ; a state of things which your Majesty's petitioners humbly believe to be inconsistent with the liberty usually enjoyed by British subjects That your petitioners have also great reason to complain of the manner iv which, many, of these Ordinances have been passed: introduced one day without previous notice, read a first, second, and third time, iv many instances, in three consecutive days they Have become law, not only without an opportunity being' afforded for the expression of public opinion, but without even those on the kpot knowing the nature and extent of their provisions. That your petitioners have heard with the greatest satisfaction, that it is proposed shdnly to permit them to take a share in the management of their own affairs, by giving them a representative Council. That, at all events, no difficulty or inconvenience can arise from a little delay in the operation of the measures passed by the la»t Council, that some may. be much improved on reconsideration, after they have been fairly subjected to, and canvassed by public opinion, and that others may be omitted Iroin the statute book with advantage. Your Majesty's petitioners, therefore, most humbly pray that your Majesty will be graciously pleased to disallow the " Native Land Purchase Ordinance," and j the other Ordinances which are not required by some ■ immediate exigency, with a view, if it should be thought ] desirable, to their being fairly brought at an early opportunity before a Couacil representing the interest and feelings of those who are most deeply interested iv the welfare of the colony. i And your Majesty's petitioners will ever pray. Dr. Campbell came forward and said, that it bad not been his intention when he entered the room, to obtrude himself upon the meeting, as he had considered that it related solely to the pentiy-an-acre question $ but it appeared from the memorial winch had just been read, that the object of that meeting was to carry a sweeping disapproval of all the measures adopted hy His Excellency Governor Grey since his arrival. He rose then to propose an amendment to the meet- ! ing, and one which was just as sweeping, but on the oilier side, as the memorial which wa* about to be proposed to them -, from what he observed I of the tone of the meeting, he knew that his ' amendment would not meet with their apptovalj ! but he was determined at least to record his own ] opinion of the policy ami the measures of Gov- I ernor Grey, which he believed to be of a most enlightened and wise character. It was not his intention lo follow the various questions raised in the memorial and reply to them seriatim; nor did he wish to answer all the arguments which had been used by the various speakers at that meeting, but he would content himself by merely proposing the following amendment: — " That it is the opinion of this meeting that the administration of the government of this colony by Capt. Grey, has been of the most whe, judicious and success-

ful character and that the measures lately introduced and passed in the Legislative Council are such as to warrant the most sanguine .expectations of the continuance of the good government of this colony on an extended and enlightened basis, and that the Secretary of State for the colonies, be memorialized to permgmently appoint Captain Grey as Governor of New Zealand." Mr. Makepeace said, that tbe amendment which had been just proposed by Dr. Campbell, reminded him very much of one that had been lately moved by Mr. Donnelly in the -Legislative Council, when the Native Land Purchase' Bill was under the consideration of that body. It seemed as if the Doctor's amendment was a complete burlesque upon the serious business for which the inhabitants of Auckland had that day assembled j and it was quite in keeping with the sarcastic amendment of Mr. Donnelly relative to " natural curiosities," which he introduced while the Council were engaged in gravely considering a most momentous measure. He, the speaker, had no doubt but Mr. Donnelly was laughing in his sleeve at the Council, while he was directing their attention to such frivolity ; and in the same way he could conceive that Dr. Campbell was also then inwardly enjoying a laugh at the expense of that meeting. With, regard to the "late'land 'measures,' theyjwlere a breach of all honor, and all faith towards the colonists. What should we think of a merchant who sent an agent to transact his business, and. then repudiate the whole of his transactions, to the injury of all who had dealings with him ? But what has been the character of the present Governor's entire policy in New Zealand ? it was more like the practice of a pettifogging attorney, than that of a Governor desirous to -frame great, liberal, and comprehensive schemes for the gene* ral prosperity. But what, he would ask, was the object of the Government in passing the Land Claims' Bill ? Were they jealous of a portion of the soil falling into the possession of an industrious settler without coming through the haiids of the Government? Yes, it appeared to him that this was the only way to account for the impediments raised by the late measures of the Legislative Council. A great deal had been said, during the late session of Council, about the injustice of claimants, and the illegality of person's going on lands before' the Crown's "pleasure was known; but who were the greatest benefactors to the country — those who after having satisfied the natives, commenced in' good earnest to cultivate the soil, and produce the necessaries of life, or Governor Giey, who would have it remain in its original comeliness, till all the exorbitant : and ii rational' demands of the Government were satitfied? he would leave it for the meeting' to judge, (cheers.) Mr. John MacDougall seconded the amend i ment of Dr. Campbell; and it was put-to the meeting by the chairman : the mover and secon > der alone held up their hands in its favour. The original resolution, and the memorial were carried almost unanimously. Mr. M*Nair then moved the following resolution, and in doing so, said, tbat the colony had been long injuiedj as every one knew, by the abusive character of the public press j bur that now a journal did exist, which stood'aloof from every thing approaching to personalities, and, in a dignified manner advocated the interests of the colony with efficiency and impartiality. He woutd therefore beg to move, _, '• " That the most cordial thanks of the meeting be respectfully presented to the Editor of the New Ztalnntitr tor his manly and talented advocacy of the interests of the people in relation to the recently enacted odious Land Claims' Ordinance." The resolution was seconded, and carried unanimously. re • . Mr. Forsaith, wifa was present, then came forward and said, that it would be sheer affectation if he were to attempt to deny the relation in which he stood to the Public Press, after the pointed allusions that had been made, and the very flattering compliments that had been paid to the Editor of 'the New Zealande'rY He would therefore, now admit, what he conceived to be'pretty generally believed, if not positively known, that he was the conductor of the journal alluded to, arid he begged to express to the meeting, his acknowledgments tor- the honor conferred upon him by the vote of thanks ;, while at the same time, he could not but think that his services had hardly merited such distinction. He had-purposed to refrain from taking any public,part in the proceedings of the meeting, lest it should be said that he was actuated by unworthy motives. The sentiments 'he had advocated, and the positions he had advanced, were the fruit of experience. They were the honest convictions of his judgment; and the line of opposition he, had adopted in reference to some of the recent enactments of Government, was solely occasioned by the belief that he conscientiously entertained that these measures were diametrically opposed to the real interests of the colony. As, however, he felt bound to acknowledge and thank the meeting for the mark of confidence and approbation conferred upon him by the vote of thanks, He would take the opportunity of saying, that he concurred in the tone of the petition that hadbeen,adopted; and was prepared to give his cordial support to most, if hot all, of the sentiments that had been advanced, by the speakers. He considered that the meeting were adopting not only a justifiable, but a constitutional arid praiseworthy method of recording their disapprobation of the impolitic and unjust measures of Government. He did not believe, and he felt sure that the meeting would coincide in his views, that His Excellency the Governor was actuated by any other motive in passing such a law as the Native Land "Purchase Bill, than that of a desire to promote the general good. He would not for one moment question the integrity of the motive's that influenced the Governor ; but the meeting would, agree with him in thinking that purity of motive was. not always a guarantee for the rectitude of every practicethat might be adopted. There were men about the person of His Excellency, of long standing in the colony, possessed of some degree of acquaintance with the native character, and of considerable experience in the past history of events in this colony, who, notwithstanding the length of their residence in the country, their knowledge of the peculiarities of the native character, and the wisdom that they ought to have gathered from experience, have advised and aided His Excellency in passing measures, which riot only militate against the opinions, and policy formerly advocated and supported by these very men, but which they.must' know to be detrimental to the real prosperity of the colony. He looked upon the Native Land Purchase Bill, ,a& involving a principle irreco'ncileably opposed to' the honor of the British Crown— the faith of treaties— and the common rights of both races of Her Majesty's sub(For continuation see Supplement.)

- -".-_ >_- {-,- (Continued from fourth page.) fjects in the colony. , He regarded it as a virtual nega-tion-of jthe ..treaty of Waitangi; a direct, violation of thdse'principles of equity and justice which generally the dealings of individuals with each other, and, which ought always to mark the proceedings "of 'Government towards its subjects"; and which he believed would ultimately guide the decisions of the British .Crpjvh; It -had been said by an author of. great authol rity,' he .believed by Blackstone, that no departure from ~ the fundamental principles of equity and justice, which -rwere the inherent v characteristics of^theJßritish corcsti-. |tutidn^coulU^be';-pennanentr~ These, principles, w.nich at.thread' of- gold JthrjjugKithe " entire^fabric ?,of *;'^theJßriti^copstituti9ri jfmigEt be^mpbranlyjoutraged^ g^slt^trnoughtrbyjmehjofjirbitrammitfdsHwKo^might -attainito'poiutioTM ofiothers^orrpyjthej* disruptive tendencies ;off great " pbliticaVconyulsions^bjit sooiaer or liter'these temporary be 4 Th^ measure" to! whichHhVpetition^particu-Vlar^-refgrred^was so -obviously repiignant'to these great Ipfihiiipjes, that he-was firmly persuaded., that Jit could' -.nqtibecdme.ra. permanent, law. Even _ if no memorial opposition r manifested *,Hy ttie.public, he conceived that ; her ? Maje*sty's^advisers ot' "recommeiid -the" Crown v to ; sanction the present sfiape'";; The Treaty of Waitangi guarraritee^ Jo^.the Natives, the undisturbed possession - of -t.fiiewfprop^rly^arid he,* (-Mr. Eors'ait_h)-wouldask,,wha't ;- benefit* wa\ property to_an individuaLif he was only per-r .Snifted I t6'-nise~ if at the will and pleasurjrof ariotjierf the sophisms employed by the^supportei : s of --this -measure, be reconciled with the principlesof "eqUiiyf r.The "Chairman Had alluded, in his op'ehin'g" address, fo -' thCrecpjded-setitiments,"of Sir^]iobert Peek „-He; (Mrr J-JFofsaith) witli,pefriiisaibn,,wonld'retfd .those seniiirients' /witfie^Meeting. "--IT would be recpllepted that they-. wef% . uttered du!ing the, debates which^ took place 'upbnf tlfe^ ~jo£j.Mx Charles J3ulleri"upon the, affairs _qf Nejv Zealand^and^the'New Zealand subseqjenr rio^lie^repprt- of "the Select" Committee, t Sir Rohart r~PeerVaid -'^The_seeds_' of future government in;J?{avv, Zealand, will be but imperfectly" laid, _and"will oonie/tq''' jnbre^rly and satisfactory maturity,"- unless'"we/resp^cCi'no&only th,e principles of justice, but ,alsp =the^eeliHg^ rsoohe'native population." Now he wouldtas^t^m^t^ *^ting_to,eoinpai. % e. those memorable -jsentunente^it^thie' the^-Napve^Purchase^ifl?? ; E^ ?was_crftfvinced4Ha"t;liad the^ativeVVeen'ge.jie.rall^Jvw^^' lpassed ; ih'toiraw^they^.FOuld have expYessed^ tlieir^dfe and remonstrated with the Governdragaiii^ v-"amet\dfaaents,'",-,would. hesitate, before he venture|ito: f afilrhi^ that*tKi:feelingBJ>f the'native ; population ha'dfiejin; in the.;enactcnent of this t^tff -reference" to" the other measure,, affecting th' 6 I^ind TQueStiiO;n,-he (Mr. Forsailh) thought that it vV;as_ still liable to many objections, though cerlainly^ les3"objectlo)iasle than it was'at Jirst. Jln£-tVe; r-yariqtfg Rebates that shad taken Z place in ~. tfife -jOdui^Qj)^allu|itfiis,had tepea*tetiry:beeiHmaUyl|to ~tke'gre|tplnjsstice_thaLliad been ; uifljeted?«p^ rthe'N^ti^e|^by the-pre-eiiip'tion . sjstem j^upjio; i v the"g^>tj»3'tliat;lands had been acqii ired not-ojjlV ivhlkivly^SjJodc'a. mere song". (A. voice frqfijPjihe ;bMy..of|h ? eMe"e)jng, « r Yes, ifjgl 2s. 6ii, per acre ißispnjigt|<[e'T&ave been "guilty of -it, for' t paid ItfiV'nitiV^sUhdtfor myjaiid." Idugbter) atid, the f]gerslpn%£}fo purchased.under the "pre>e.fn]jH6n lln'ociamaUoiisivad.been uncou|tßDuslyj-li'e \vpiiid t sa^y*;|iii]asilyi^dlsighatej^iinj^elablespeuuldlo/s'V ?( Hear i%3 ui H6 l] a sin g (e"i'nstance of u f i j ustd ea ling heJeltboundttTdeclaT'e ptha^hi^^pjJrience i bf^ilieNative; _chara«£er-'-hi(T c beiieve tb.eriiativ.es pveiy^u'ay ea" r r pabl elo ß>lifff t e v ct^ing- I .heiiisel yesv es^ .f rp na^iiijasticej-in] |c6iicrM^f-T^bX%afn . 'JVMeyyvere quit^ias:- ca-'-2pabje^f^brf(fliuj ftfg 1 a negbtiat ioii^for "ihej-s'al^bff JL^nd^d^nyVhiifg-else^and briiighig:rjt : -^6'-' ? aii iaw%e^atj'st aeldf y and .profitable - to" t lie rnlei yes; 3aifan^u|oßekni{ He (Mr. ForsaiJh/)- could hoi ifiu^r^garjijtijis^apparent concern for", tlie->iglus "^Jh^iNaiiyes asavidiculoris, .when considereijiiii whieh v the l _Gjidown^as the rule "by- whiSh guided in purchasing lfland:;Cr*ojmthe j^aU^e^^|t^ wojald be^'supei'fl u'otis Sim^Sfihfor fiiStii ej?Meeting n Jthatihe/ hadj .for. - ira^T^^^ffiVe und^mJiejGoVej;'!^ Iraig^lit^THh^m "that3%ing~?a - fonne^adraiii is? rltfatiotettie'^p po i iVtin en" t; "6 f tage ti f- foi- t'h eTpii r% natives,^hajibeejiTr offered, ; - an dih e^w as-no t.a vy ara. t hat '; he sho uW. f : b^gififty|pf^jiy4Ln"p^ /g|^pK3,fiib^B9p* ;u 99 t JQ I ! si f Ifor, hiljguKi^tw^a^ -gainjß^li^eT'vj|lheirp?esen£. administratipiivwas sintniselinstfuliion«becViisetliVGpv6"r t t\eceiitT;purcJiiies j_ but,Lit?^wo,ti.UV 4jd^ctjtfe^^lifigi .with. tlie.. Ndtivresf.whf n ,~fjxe m{l}^A to exceed; j 3^* ; plftr. , £Wj^fo|^that p^rttof .thejandjavailable^fjj rja^nf )tcliltur v eJ|J%£e^ ;e ; e ? eitimated r jfo^ ;\«Hhja|h^itidjrded;ittltbr6TpWcJ^ had ac^uir^ed^laluf ! rtgt!fejlM|i%Jing;but!|pß%lud|:b^^^

Some details were then arranged, relaliv.e, Jo the opporlunily to.be afForded> those- vvhowislietl it, tosign the Petition ; and alter a r vote of thanks to W. F. Porter, Esq 7 for his able cop. duct in the chair, the.meeting separated. „ v.!