To the Editor of the Auckland "Times"

Wellington Independent, Volume I, Issue 29, 26 November 1845, Page 3

To the Editor of the Auckland "Times"

Auckland. Cth October, 18-15. Sm.-I tm hduced to tr«pa*s on your pages in consequence of having read m the « Wellington Spectator," of the 15th ultimo, the false and lioellous statements of two men, cal'ed William Fell and William Thompson, who subscribe a mark in lieu of name, and who were the principal actors in the plunder cf the brig "Falo,'.' st Okoratinga; alle 3 -atians »hey doubtless mrde to conceal their active share in the robbery, and escape the punishment they so richly merited. Every respectable person residing at Hawke's Bay is aware that the natives, under the Chief Martini, at the request of Mr. Perry at Waikokopu. intercepted those very men while hastening on their route from the scene cf plunder to Port Nichol.on, and took from them the articles they stole from the wreck. They were previously met by Mr. Peny and Mr. Walker (late of tbe " Falco "), carrying loads on their backs of the vessel's cargo. The morning afcer the vessel went on shore, at 9 a.m., I quoted her, up to which time Mr. of Thiaca was the only Eurapean who c»me on board, or was even near the vessel; thus ths conversation so gratuitous y attribued to me rehitive to the mails, could never have taken place, and for seven days after I did not approach the vessd, as I was staying either at Mesjrs. Brown's or Perry's stations, some miles distant ftom the wreck. At the former place the Rev. Archdeacon Williams warned me t~> arm myself, and be prepared t> act on the. defensive, as he was apprehensive of the designs of so many bad characters, who were aware that I bad saved valuablis from the wieck, Th~ apprehensions of this gentleman were well founded, as the ruffians actually threatened an attick on me, makirg use cf these significant words: "they might as well be hung fjr a sheep as a lamb, for they had already coraiuitt d themselves.'' The attack was only prevented by the d preparation made for their reception by Mr. Perry and myself; as also the active interfsieuce of friendly bodies of natives. Tin mail was broken rp-m in the hold by the plunderers. Native and European; their contents scattered amid the cargo; the Government despatches and letters were broken open; but the greater potlion were gathered care'ully together by the rfficers and crew of the •' Falco " ; tevetaj letters and despatches were subsequently hawked about for sale, of which I purchased all that came in my way, whiih were not a few; and I feel gratified in st ting that amid snch ruthless destruction and violence full seven-tights of tbe contents of the mails were r covered, which I b.ought up with me to Auckland in the schoaner "Uncle Sam." Not o occupy too much of your valuable space I will only observe, that I deem it necessary for the purposes of justice, to add a s'atement of such of the officers and people of the late brig " Falco," who are at this time in Auckland, and from the opportunity my friends at Port Nicholson have had of estimating my conduct, I cheerfully submit to their judgment the value of the statements mile by the above mentioned men at Wellington ; and how very unlikely the heartless expression iel»tive to the mails attributed to me, by those lawless fellows would emauate from me, I presume my having left the vessel before any of the w.eckers made their appearance, is the best computation that I could have held no conversation with them on board, as declared by them. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, John B. Williams, Consul U S. America

We, the Undersigned, declare that the statement made by two men, who calkd themselves by i.ame William Fell and William Thompson, which we hare read in the "Wellington Spec'ator" cf the 13th ultimo, is entirely and wilfully false i hroughout. That Mr. Williams, United States Consul, repeatly desired us to take care of the mails, His words were "This. unfortunate mail has been wrecked before; save it, if possible, at any hazard, and never mind your clothing. I will see that you get more ; but save tbe owners property and the mails." We were even ordered to gather together any pieces of written paper that we might find strewed about from the broken mail. We alto heard him request Mr. Perry to write to the Archdeacon W. Williams, to learn from him the best course to pursue so that the mails might reach Auckland by the best route and earliest opportunity. John Henry Chamber! am, Acting first officer of late brig " Falco." Henry Clarke, James Davis, William A. Burning, Seamen on board la c brig "Falco." Witnesses, — Clement Partridge, Wm. H. Christian. And I further declare that I repeatedly advised Captain Moselv, of the •• Falco." on no account to land the mails, as I felt assurrd. from the ap penrance of the whites on thore, that nothing could h&ve been landed wi h safety among them. I looked upon those people as pirates, and I acted

a* pru-liii.tly ai I f.lt my :iu.'y as an offker of I'mship r< quired. John Henry Chamberlain, Acting first effieer of th« Lite brig " Falco." Witnesses, Clement Wm. H. Christian.