Private Auckland Sept. 12th 1871 Dear Sir From the many kindnesses I have received for a number of years from you, I take the liberty to address you in explanation of a subject that has been brought before you by a Native Woman "Tiramate" at the instigation of a man named McMath, the particulars are as follows - The Native woman is a person with whom I had been cohabiting for a number of years and who has had a family by me (I have lately married an English lady) Tiramate had an award made her by the Native Land Compensation Court of a block of land, that land was contiguous to a piece of mine and we had arranged to let our land conjointly, consequently her piece was conveyed to me (not at the time anticipating a change in our relations) intended as an Agency, that being fully explained to her on her signing the deed and the amount of consideration (one pound) given indicates or was intended to, the intention. Tiramate was informed by some malicious person that my name was inserted in the Crown Grant of her lands I disabused her mind on that subject. I there and then explicitly explained to her that the document in which my name was inserted was the conveyance I told her distinctly that I did not consider that I had the least claim to her lands and that if the deed had not been registered I would at that time return herCrown Grants and allow her to destroy the conveyance under those circumstances it would be necessary to reconvey the lands back to her which I would do the first time I was in Auckland - In every conversation I have had with her son, I have expressly told him the same as I have above stated, and moreover I requested him about a month back to obtain an order from his mother that he might receive the deeds to hand over to her, my having married (though not deserting my family) engendered an ill feeling with the native woman, and she has been made a tool of to carry out the spleen against me of McMath ingratiating himself with the woman for a dishonorable purpose - About five years ago my eldest daughter by Tiramate when living in Auckland was seduced by McMath, and the consequence was she became in the family way; before the birth of the child she returned to my house the child was born and remained with us untill my marriage. The mother of the child was on a visit at Waiuku and McMath seeing her there made overtures to her to resume their cohabitation - my opposition, and my marriage, he considering it would militate to the interest of the child by depriving it as he supposed of a participation in my lands, he has expressed himself to that effect - The woman denies having any intention of annoying me that she was suborned to act as she has done, McMath invited Tiramate, her daughter (not the mother of the child a younger one) and the child to Auckland, with I believe the intention of seducing the girl, to whom since their arrival in Auckland he has made overtures, which were only frustrated by the strenuous opposition of the mother, he has now taken the child clandestinely and secreted it. I beg most emphatically to disclaim having had any improper intention with regard to Tiramate's property my object was to remove the difficulty of obtaining her signature in her absence in the letting our conjoint properties. I moreover beg to state that during the number of years I have been in New Zealand I have never in a single instance taken an unfair advantage of a native or I should not have retained the confidence of the natives generally - McMath instituted proceedings in Tiramates name against me, a copy of her letter to McMath's Solicitor I herewith enclose where she entirely repudiates any intention of taking the action they have against me - On my coming to Auckland I brought the deeds with me to reconvey the property (as I had expressed my intention) to Tiramate and her children which I have done - On my arrival in Auckland I was served with a "Writ" the cause of her letter. I have not with standing the great annoyance I have received made in the event of my death a provision for Tiramates children. I trust and sincerely hope the foregoing statement will remove any unfavorable impression that may be on your mind as regards my conduct towards the natives - Your good opinion being esteemed by me above all other considerations I beg to subscribe myself Yours most respectfully C. Marshall