AKO TŌMENE
Communication Arts
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"Letter of Protection"
In 1831, thirteen Māori chiefs wrote a letter to the King of England asking for protection. Imagine you are one of those chiefs or a settler living in the Bay of Islands in 1839.
Write a short letter (3–5 sentences) to James Busby or William Hobson explaining why you think a treaty is a good (or bad) idea.
Ideas:
Are you worried about other countries like France taking over?
Do you want the British to bring "law and order" to control the unruly traders?
Or are you worried that a treaty might take away your authority as a chief?
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