In his intercourse with the natives, Lieut. Cook discovered, that the New Zealanders were divided into several independent tribes, or states. Along a great part of the east coast, the inhabitants acknowledged a chief called Teratu for their king; but his authority did not extend to the Bay of Islands, nor to Queen Charlotte's Sound; nor was the one of these places dependant on the other.
To preclude the claims or pretensions of future navigators. Cook was careful to leave, in various parts of New Zealand, memorials of his discovery. In Mercury Bay, the name of the ship, and that of the Commander, with the date, were cut on one of the trees near the watering place; while the British flag was displayed, and the country formally taken possession of, in the name of King George III. The same ceremony was observed at Queen Charlotte's Sound; where also two posts, with the names and dates as before, were set up, one near the watering place, and the other on the highest part of the adjacent island of Motuara, At this last, a bottle of wine was drunk to the health of her Majesty; and the empty bottle, with other articles, joyfully received by the old chief, Topaa. On the main land, two small pyramids of stone were erected on two different hills; and balls, beads, coins, and other European articles deposited in them.
Yet these were not the only memorials left in New Zealand, to record the visit of our illustrious navigator: another was observed about seventeen years ago, by the Rev. Samuel Leigh, under circumstances particularly interesting. This gentleman, connected with the Wesleyan Missionary Society, who commenced a Mission in New
