New Zealand Spectator AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, January 11, 1845.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 14, 11 January 1845, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator AND COOK'S STRAITS GUARDIAN. Saturday, January 11, 1845.

If?e have been often asked, why the Deputation allowed his Excellency to depart without having pressed upon his attention those subjects, upon which the settlers were so anxious to ascertain his views. We have carefully evaded this inquiry, not from any fear of our being unable to clear the deputation from the charge of having neglected the duties confided to them by their fellow-set-tlers, but simply and solely, because we felt that our answer would involve an explanation as painful to our feelings, as it wouW prove humiliating and degrading to Captain Firzroy's character. Justice, however, to the deputation now demands that this explanation be no longer delayed, for the expectation?, in which we have indulged, that some reasons, would be adduced tending to palliate, if not excuse his Excellency's strange and unaccountable conduct, have been entirely dissipated by the intelligence brought by the Government brig and the Hazard. At the interview with which the deputation were favoured, although a long and desultory conversation took place, the only subject brought by them under discussion, was the settlement of the Land Claims ; for his Excellency declared at an early stage of the interview, that he was unable to state his final determination until he had been at Waikanai, and seen Rauparaha, but that he he would return thence (after visiting Taranaki) in the course of a few days, when he would be prepared to explain his intentions fully, and when he would be happy to hear the opinions of the deputation upon all other questions affecting the interests of the settlers. Upon this under- j standing, upon this promise to return several J times repeated, the deputation consented to <tefer the discussion, and retired. Two months have since elapsei, but his Excellency has not returned, and we feel justified in expressing our belief that he never intended to return. What ? Do you mean to assort that Captain Fitzroy has been guilty of a gross, deliberate, premeditated falsehood ? We assert nothing. Attend to the facts and then judge for yourselves. Two or three days after the sailing of the Hazard a letter was received from Waikanai, stating that the vessel had scarcely got out of our Harbour, before his Excellency announced that he had no intention of returning here for the present, but that his destination fromTaranaki was Auckland. About the same time we learnt, that some of the officials here had been engaged the greater part of the night previous to the vessel's sailing, in preparing documents Sc, for transmission to Auckland. The suspicions thus excited in our minds, were, however allayed by His Honor the Superintendent declaring that Ms faith in his Excellency's promise was unshaken. News subsequently arrived^from Taranaki, that the Hazard (with the Governor on board) had sailed for Auckland. Still, feeling that we ought not to be hasty, on a point so deeply affecting Captain Fitzroy 's character, we remained silent. The Government brig at length arrived, brought intelligence of His Excellency being safely deposited at Auckland, and private letters confirming the statement contained in the one received from Taranaki. Now bearing in wind, that the officials here were busily occupied the night previous to his departure in. preparing documents to send to Aucklattd, and that His Excellency announced tvs intentioa not to revisit us at present, almost before he was out of the Harbour* are we not justified in expressing our belief that his Excellency made the promise without any intention to fulfil it, and solely for the purpose of ridding himself of the presentee of those whom he has so deeply injured ? Were we actuated by those unworthy feelings, which political hostility sometimes engenders, We might feel a sort of satisfaction at the position in which Capt. Fitzroy by tueh conduct has placed himself in public estimation; but wheix we remember, that iaa jadhcrence to, truth is a bright and dis-

"fingt^i«t.tofirG in the chl&keter of ovfr. ViaßSn— tlmt \lafe -word of an English gentleman is deemed in eveiy country of all bonds the most secure.— When we consider tthe value and sacredness ever attached to the promises of Her Majesty's Government, we should indeed be guilty of meanness as great, as that which we now condemn, could we indulge in any other feelings than those of d6ep pain and commiseration, that any one occupying by birth and by office so high a rank in society, that an officer in the British Navy, that a Representative of Her Majesty, should have so far forgot the respect due to himself, and ro his profession, as to have been guilty of conduct such as we have now, with painful reluctance, dcs- ■ cribed.