xx."" - ■ _L»

Webster's claims to be submitted in the usual way, he adopts the course and uses the identical language which the Colonial Secretary, in his letter of the 7th August, informs Mr. Webster would be adopted if he advanced his claims as a British subject: Secondly, Mr. Webster, in his reply of the 3rd October, where he expresses his wish that his claims should be laid before the Commissioners, requests that very course to be adopted which the Colonial Secretary informed him would be adopted if he advanced his claims as a British subject: Thirdly, Mr. Webster appeared before the Commissioners' Court, and gave his evidence on oath in respect of each claim, without protest, after his claims had been notified in the usual way, and never asserted any exceptional claim as an American citizen; and also he accepted the awards in each claim, and the Crown grants issued in virtue of the said awards : Fourthly, Mr. Webster did not relinquish the rights of a British subject, such as the ownership of a British vessel which he possessed, and which in the aforesaid letter of the Colonial Secretary he was informed he would be required to do if he advanced his claims as a foreigner. It is to be especially noted here that, although Mr. Webster's letter of the 20th July, 1841, to the Colonial Secretary, wherein he advances his claims as an American citizen, has been submitted to the Senate of the United States, and is referred to in the report of the Committee of the Senate (post, p. 41), yet no evidence appears of Mr. Webster having submitted to the Senate either the Colonial Secretary's letter of the 7th August or his own reply thereto of the 3rd October, 1841. From this surprising omission I cannot but conclude that it was an act of wilful disingenuousness on Mr. Webster's part, done for the purpose of suppressing all evidence which might be adduced to prove that he advanced his claims before the Land Claims Commissioners as a British subject, and not as an American citizen. The proceedings of the first Commission in relation to each of Mr. Webster's claims, and the several awards made therein, were as follow :— Case No. 305.—William Webstee, of Coromandel Harbour, Claimant. (250) Two hundred and fifty acres, more or less, situated at Coromandel Harbour. Bounded on the South-west by the outlet at the head of Coromandel Harbour, and extending along the beach to the North-east to a marked tree. Alleged to have been purchased from the Native chief Tawaroa and others in 1837. Consideration given to the Natives : Merchandise to the value of £208. Nature of conveyance : Deed in favour of claimant. Report.—The Commissioners have the honour to report, for the information of His Excellency the Governor, that, from the accompanying evidence taken in Claim No. 305, they are of opinion that William Webster made a bond fide purchase from the Native chiefs Arakuri, Tawarou, and others on the 4th June, 1837, of a tract of land called Makariri, thus described: situated on the north side of Coromandel Harbour. Commencing at a small passage called Wenuakura, running along to a marked tree by a fresh-water creek a little to the eastward of the beach called Tehauha, and thenco across the neck in a northerly course to the low-water mark : including the whole of the neck to the marked tree. The supposed contents, 250 acres. The payment made to the Natives for this land appears to have been on the 4th June, 1837 : Cash, nil; goods, £114 12s. Sydney prices x 3 = £343165. A deed of sale was executed by the abovenamed chiefs and others, and Arakuri has admitted the payment they received, and the alienation of the land. The execution of the deed and payment have been proved by Henry Downing. The Commissioners therefore respectfully recommend that a grant for the above-described land should be issued to William Webster, his heirs and assigns, for ever, excepting 100 feet from high-water mark. The claimant states in evidence that he has sold and transferred onehalf of the land described in this case to Henry Downing, and requests that a grant from the Crown may be issued to him for the quantity; but, William Webster having been awarded the maximum grant of 2,560 acres, none can be recommended to Henry Downing. The land claimed by J. C. Conway in Case 266 a being likewise a portion of this claim, no grant can be recommended to him. M. Richmond, T n ■ . Dated at Wellington, this 18th day of December, 1843. Edwabd L. Godfrey, } Commissioners. Evidence. Hauraki, Thames, Ist July, 1843. William Webster, of Coromandel Harbour, being duly sworn, states: I claim the land described in the deed before the Court called Makariri, situated on the north side of Coromandel Harbour, containing about 250 acres, and bounded as follows: Commencing at a small passage called Wenuakura, running along to a marked tree by a fresh-water creek a little to the eastward of the beach called Tehauha, and thence across a neck in a northerly course to the low-water mark, including the whole of the neck to the marked tree. I purchased this land on the 4th of June, 1837, from the Native chiefs Arakuri, Tawaroa, and others for the goods specified on the back of the deed, which I gave at the time the deed was signed. I have expended in buildings and improvements on this property about £200, and I have had possession and resided on it occasionally for the last six years. I have sold and transferred one-half of this land to Henry Downing, who claims through me. This claim has never been disputed by either European or Native since I made the purchase. Wm. Websteb. Sworn before me this Ist day of July, 1843.—M. Richmond.

7