No. 13.
R. Vernon Smith, Esq., to J. Somes, Esq.
Sir,—
I am directed by Lord John Russell to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th ultimo, in which you complain of the unfavourable view which Governor Hobson appears to take on all occasions of the proceedings of the New Zealand Company, and of its agent and officers in the colony. His Lordship desires me to acquaint you, in reply, that the friendly relations which it is so important to maintain between the Governor of New Zealand and the Company's agents would, in his opinion, be rather impeded than advanced by making the subject of correspondence and admonition those misunderstandings which unfortunately have arisen while the parties were in ignorance of the negotiations which passed between the Company and Her Majesty's Government at the close of last year.
I have, &c.,
R. Vernon Smith.