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Historical Records of New Zealand Vol. II.

Clendon to Secretary of State

Clendon to Secretary of State.

Consulate of the United States
Bay of Islands New Zealand
10th January 1840.

Honble John Forsyth
Secretary of State
Washington.

Sir

,—

I have the honour to enclose the returns of American vessels that have entered this Port for the half year ending 30th Decr 1839.

I am in receipt of a communication from Thomas Brown Master of the ship Adeline of Newburyport then at anchor at Capiti in Cook Strait stating that a Boat belonging to his ship while towing from the shore to the ship a raft of water had been forcibly taken from the crew by an armed party, consisting of eight Europeans and one native of New Zealand, belonging to a shore whaling party at the Island of Capiti.

As such occurrences are not uncommon and not a season passes, but some of our whaling ships suffer more or less by the lawless wretches in the whaling Bays of Cooks Straits, it is a source of regret to me, that not any of our Ships of War have page 612 yet visited New Zealand—and I fear the Surveying Squadron* have proceeded Southward from Sydney New South Wales— (as they had completed their refit and were ready for sea on the 20th Dec last) and will not call here.

The accounts for the relief of distressed seamen have been forwarded to the proper quarter and drafts given at 35 day sight for the Amounts.

I have the honor to remain
Sir
Your obedient Servant

James R. Clendon


United States Consul.

* The Expedition under Commander Charles Wilkes which visited the Antarctic in 1840. It afterwards called at the Bay of Islands (p.615).