THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, November 4, 1843.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume II, Issue 87, 4 November 1843, Page 346

THE NELSON EXAMINER. Nelson, November 4, 1843.

Lei journaux deviennent plus nlceiaairea a mesure que lei homines lont pint 2gaux, et 1' individualiame plua a eraindre. Cc aerait diminuer leur importance que de croire ?[u' ill ne aervent qu' a garantir la liberty : ila maintiennent & civilisation. D« TocauEViLLE. De la Dlmocrttie en Amerique, tome 4, p. 220.

Journal* become more neceasary as men become more •qual, and indmdualiam wore to be feared. Jt would be to underrate their importance to suppose that they serve only to secure liberty : they maintain civilization. D« ToCftOBVILLE-. Of Democracy in America, vol . 4, p. 20S.

When Major Richmond had signified to the deputation of settlers who waited upon him on his late visit to this settlement, that it was not m*3 intention to leave jvith us any military force, nor to sanction the employment of even a single special constable for our protection, he was asked whether, since our own Government would not assist us, he would consent to call in the aid of

the French frigate at Akaroa. He replied that he should consider it " a stain on British arms."

For our part, we see no reason for treating the matter in any such light. If, through the negligence of the British Government, or the party pique of the Colonial, which would gladly see these settlements ruined by the interferenece of the savage or any other means, we are left without protection for our lives and property, and thereupon the commander of a man-of-war belonging to a nation in strict alliance with Great Britain should lend us his assistance, what stain is this on British arms ? It might be a stain on the Governments which have left us at the mercy of the savage ; or it might be a stain on the character of Major Richmond or of Sir Everard Home, who had it in their power to protect us but would not ; but the honour of British arms would remain untarnished, unless by the reflected disgrace of those individuals.

Major Richmond, however, appears a little singular in his notions of honour. We are informed that when he met the local magistrates in this settlement, he hinted to them how desirable a thing it would be if the present affair could be settled by the surrender of some minor chief to appease the demands of justice, while Rauparaha (being too dangerous to meddle with) was to be suffered to escape harmless. That such an idea should proceed from a magistrate, who must have known the iniquity of compounding felonies, is remarkable enough ; that it should proceed from a military officer is still more remarkable ; but that it should proceed from the same person as professes a fear lest calling in the aid of a British ally to defend a British colony should inflict a stain on British arms, is the most remarkable thing of all. Yes, get Rauparaha to give up some half-caste chief, whose head he might at any time split with his tomahawk for amusement or caprice, and accept the offering in satisfaction for the blood of the Wairoo — acknowledge that Rauparaha and his myrmidons are too mighty for British arms to cope withal — treat with them for a dividend in lieu of the payment in full which justice demands — and then talk of a stain on British arms if you will. We suspect that Commodore Berard and his men, who struck so sharp a blow at Vera Cruz, would talk in a different strain .from the Wellington Police Magistrate, Land Commissioner, and Major of the 96th. France has never suffered injuries to be inflicted on her disfant children such as our Government tamely submit to ; " her revenge is as the tiger's spring, deadly and quick and crushing;" she asks for no surrender of a minor chief, but inculcates, by the vigour of her arms, respect for her name, and insures protection for her offspring. She is paralyzed by no instructions from a Government House, by no opinion of an Attorney-General; her children's blood cries not in vain for vengeance ; the survivors tremble not long exposed to a savage assailant ; the tricolour gleams over the waves, and France vindicates and protects her own.

Mark the difference. The children of Britain fall, the savage who massacred them goes scathless. A British frigate visits him — a British commander and a British major confer with him ; they stipulate, they bargain with him for the surrender of a portion of property wrested from their fallen countrymen — they strike no blow — they yield no protection to their own — but they suggest the amicable adjustment of the matter by the surrender of a minor chief, and then, when we indignantly reject the proposal, and offer to call in the aid of an allied power, we are told that it would inflict a stain on British arms.

The piping times of peace which we have enjoyed of late years have, apparently, not sharpened the edge of the British sword nor improved its temper. The time was when a British officer would have scorned to propose the surrender of a minor chief. Men

who had crossed swords with Soult or Murat, and stood the shock of the French curassiers, were wont to talk in another strain; but Burns' Justice and the Land Claims Ordinance were not the books they read in, and it is no wonder if the lesson they learnt was a different one also.