To the Editor of the New Zealander.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 52, 4 October 1845, Page 2

To the Editor of the New Zealander.

Sir — I am directed to request that you will give the enclosed letter, from Sir William Molesworth, a place in your valuable colonial Journal. I am, Sir, Your's truly, Henry Tucker. Auckland, Sept. 11th, 1845.

Pencarrow, Bodmin, Feb. 10th, 1845. Sir, — In the month of December last, I sent you a letter, of which the following is a copy, and which I send you for fear that my former letter | may not have reached its destination. Your obedient servant, William Molesworth. (Copy.) Sir. — As brother of Mr. Francis Molesworth, I feel it my duty to write to you on a subject nearly concerning yourself, which has been the cause -of deep regret to myself and the rest of his friends. Mr. Francis Molesworth arrived in England in the month of June last. Shortly after this period he was summoned to give evidence before the Committee of the H< use of Commons on the affairs of New Zealand. He was twice examined before the Commi'tee. A. few days subsequent to his second examination, and be fore he had an opportunity of revising or reconsidering his evidence, he was seized with a riolentattack ofbrainfever. In consequence thereof his life was for some time in imminent danger ; and his memory was lost and confused. __ From circumstances that subsequently transpired, I am convinced that his illness (accompanied with alossandconfusionofinemory),had been coming on for several days before his friends were aware of it, and existed at the period of his second examination. About the second week in November., last, I first received information that my brother, in his second examination before -the Committee, had made certain erroneous statements with re- | ference to yourself, as Governor of New Zealand. Those statements are contained in his answers to the questions from number 4J606 to 3700 in the evidence taken before the New Zealand Committee. In them my brother fancies that he was present at a levee held by youself in Wellington ; and represents himself as having heard certain remarks made by you : whereas I have ascertained that my brother was not present on that occasion, but has confounded a statement made by Mr. J. Wakefield in a letter published in the New Zealand Gazette, of Feb. 21, 1814, (and addressed to you) with matters of which he supposed he had cognizance. As my brother's health was not sufficiently reestablished for me to communicate with him on this painful subject, I felt it my duty to act for him to the best of my ability,- and to endeavour to get these erroneous statements suppressed. I immediately applied to the member of the Committee, (Mr. Roebuck), who had caused my brother to be examined, in the hope that, as the evidence taken before the Committee was then unpublished, my brother's evidence might be suppressed or amended. Mr. Roebuck immediately entered into communication on this subject with the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Secretary for the colonies, and the

Chairman of the New Zealand Committee* The result, I am sorry to say, has noj^been in accordance with my wishes : and the gentlemen in question felt that they could not take upon themselves the responsibility of altering, or suppressing, or delaying the publication of my brother's evidence. To day I received a communication to the above effect, and the evidence has been published. In consequence thereof, I take the earliest opportunity of making known to you the facts of his case, of stating to you how sincerely myself and the friends of Mr. Molesworth regret the injustice that has been done to you; how willing we are to atone by any means m our power for the involuntary error of Mr. Molesworth, and that we trust to your generous indulgence in this unfortunate affair. I have the honor to be. Sir, Your obedient servant, William Molesworth. To his Excellency, Governor Fitzroy.