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Behold, O friends, (and) be listening hitherwards to my statement. Lo, here indeed are some new soldiers arrived at Napier, and guns, and powder: by the Governor also (were they) sent hither.

Lo, this also, his word has come, to call out and arrange the Militia at Napier: that is to say, to call out the settlers dwelling and working in this place, that they may quietly assemble here at Napier, that they may be instructed (how) to use the musket, and in military exercise: a matter this, that they may know each device by which they may save themselves from the adversary, whenever that day of anger may be. Lo, all settlers of this description (who do not belong to the soldiers,) who are not these occupants, lo, they are called Militia:—this is their name.

Lo, friends, be ye not saying, this is a new proceeding:—still such is correct, as it is indeed a new proceeding here among you; nevertheless, with us (whites) such is not a new proceeding. This Militia occupation is an old matter descended to us from our forefathers, and it is closely followed up in these days in England and many other places. This very matter has been also performed last year at Wellington and at Auckland and other parts: even so, as no doubt you have heard.

Perhaps you have received letters from the Governor to yourselves; in all likelihood you have seen his statement, saying, He has no thoughts of strife—he has no thoughts of fighting with you: whatever, to not a single one. Attend, O friends, view and consider well that word of the Governor; let that word be believed by you; yes indeed let that word be confidently reposed on by you.

Lo, here also am I declaring forth to you that very same word, that it may be deeply inlaid There is nothing else for me (to say), for us (settlers) one with myself to you; but only that very self-same word. We have not a single thought of war against you the native tribes of these parts, no not one; rather (this), the dwelling together (as one,) the increasing as one, the prospering as one.

These soldiers have not come hither in order to invent (or commence causelessly) a war with you, no not so. This Militia also, this is not placed (or arranged) so as to invent anything against you; but rather in order to protect settlers.

This indeed is the only thing which is good to us, quietly to work at those

Na, e hoa ma, kia rongo mai koutou ki taku kupu. Na, tenci ano etahi hoia hon kua tae mai ki Nepia nei, me nga pu, me nga paura; na Te Kawana hoki i tono mai.

Na, tenei hoki, kua tae mai tana kupu kia karangatia kia whakaritea he Miritia ki Nepia: ara, kia karangatia nga pakeha noho pakeha mahi o konei, kia ata hui marie mai ratou ki Nepia nei, kia akona ratou ki te hapa pu, ki te mahi hoia; he mea ia, kia mohio ai ratou ki ia mahi e ora ai ratou i te hoia riri, a te ra e puta ai he riri. Na, ko nga pakeha penei (ehara i te hoia ake,) e akona ana ki enei nga mahi, na, ko ratou e kiia ana he Miritia—ko tona ingoa tenei.

Na, e hoa ma, kei ki koutou he tikanga hou tenei; otira e tika ana he tikanga hou ano ia ki konei a koutou; aha-koa ra ki a matou nei ehara i te tikanga hou. He tikanga tawhito tenei mahi Miritia, tuku iho no o matou tipuna, a e mahia tonutia ana i naianei ano ki Ingarani ki hea ki hea. Kua mahia hoki tenei tikanga i era tau ki Poneke, ki Akerana, ki era atu wahi: heoi, kua rongo pea koutou.

Tena pea koutou kua whiwhi i nga pukapuka a Te Kawana ki a koutou; ae, kua kite koutou i tana kupu, e mea ana, Kaore ana whakaaro riri, kaore ana whakaaro whawhai ki a koutou; kaore rawa, kaore tahi. Na, e hoa ma, tirohia e koutou tena kupu a Te Kawana; whakaponoia e koutou taua kupu; ae, kia u e koutou ki tena kupu.

Na, ko au hoki tenei te ki atu nei ki a koutou i taua kupu ano, kia taruatia ai. Kaore atu he kupu maku, ma matou tahi ki a koutou: ko taua kupu anake anake ano. Kaore tahi a matou whaka whawhai atu ki a koutou ki nga Iwi maori o konei, kaore; erangi te noho tahi te tupu tahi te ora tahi.

Kaore enei nga hoia i tae mai ki konei hei pokanoa riri atu ki a koutou, kaore. Ko tenei Miritia hoki, kaore rawa tenei e whakaturia ana hei pokanoa atu ki a koutou; erangi he tiaki i nga Pakeha.

Heoi anake te mea e pai ana ki a matou, ko te mahi marie i nga mea e