LETTER FROM THE REV. T. CHAPMAN.—No. 3.

Maori Messenger : Te Karere Maori, Volume V, Issue 20, 30 November 1858, Page 4

LETTER FROM THE REV. T. CHAPMAN.—No. 3.

Wars, and rumours of wars, are at this time disturbing many portions of the world. But the New Zealander eats and sleeps in peace. No enemy invades his home. But it was not so formerly. And England in olden days was a wretched country, always in war. For about 800 years our forefathers *«re striding with enemies who invaded

their land continually, devastating their homes, plundering their towns and carrying away their children as staves. Thus it was, until good King Alfred established rigtaeous laws;and from that iime the people gradually increased in power and knowledge; and cultivating their lands with more care multiplying their cattle, especially sheep, and extending their commerce, rose till;. Englandby genife degrees to that importance ami wealth, which has placed her at the head of all Nations. When, therefore, I think over the treatment our forefathers received from strangers, who>, invading ibetp country and murdering the inhabitants, carried misery and destruction wherever tbev weal, and contrast with that, the kind* and parens tal feeling exercised towards you as a people, by iheOujeeu-juidJ&wernors. of New ZealanjjL-f-am sad, that you so iiule regard the good that is oflered you, an& the benefits that are placed within your reach. We make out from the number of your generations that you have inhabited this island about six hundred years. Six bundled years, spent by you in all your generations, only in wars of extermination, wit|K out, until lately, one single instance /a known improvement in your social *>r domestic condition I Think over the miseries your fighting occasioned, of|eittribe against vtnbe—in sonic cases, father on ou'e side and once la a young man, a slave, living with me, I do not think yon spoke properly to your rangatira the other day when be visited you; you seemed to have no love for bim ! #Said he, his eves sparkling with anger, Do I not remember when I look upon bim, that his bodv was the tomb of my own father !/But now/all these kind of miseries are passed away. Look back upon your former wretched condition, look thoughtfully upon your present improved stale, and look forward to your future prospects. Righteous laws, peace, the blessiug of commerce, and sheep and cattle enriching your lands and enabling yon to cultivate and live at home, and what people more comfortable, more independent, than the present race of New Zealand. From your true friend, T. C.