Details
ROBERT RICHARDS (d.1847)
Five autograph letters, the first from Robert Richards to 'Charles Richards, Rio de Janero', Bay of Islands, Jan[uar]y 29th 1846, 3 pages, 316 x 198mm, addressed on recto of second leaf to Mr Char[les] Richards 'in case of the N. Star not touching at this to Miss Jane Richards, Callington, Cornwall' (two holes, on first and second leaf affecting a few words, marginal tear on second leaf); the second letter from ?Miss Richards to James ?, Hereford August 1st 1845 including copies of two letters from Richards to his sister Jane dated 15th July, Kiri Kiri and another from Richard to James July 11th 1845, 2 pages, 248 x 202mm (a few tiny holes at fold, one larger hole affecting a few words); the fifth letter (also a copy by ?Miss Richards) signed Robert Richards to his sister Jane, Vieri Vieri, Bay of Islands, June 25 1845, Victoria, 4 pages, 248 x 202mm, the fourth page as a postscript written on the same day and also signed 'Robt. Richards' (a few tiny holes at fold affecting a few words) [with] autograph letter signed from Samuel Ironside, Wesleyan Minister to Miss Richard, Welllington August 7th 1847, on her brother's death, 3 pages, 256 x 205mm (some water damage, tear at edge); autograph letter signed, Downing Street, 15 January 1848, 3 pages, 316 x 199mm on the death of Richards with newspaper article in manuscript and 2 newspaper cuttings from The New Zealander and The Southern Cross reporting the death; 8 legal documents relating to the Richards family and an autograph letter signed from Charles Richards.
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE FLAGSTAFF WAR BY ROBERT RICHARDS, THE COMMANDER OF THE HM COLONIAL BRIG 'VICTORIA'. Richards held this post for six years and took an active part in the war against the Maoris headed by Chief Hone Heke, leader of the Ngapuhi. His letters home to his sisters give a vivid and detailed account of the events as they unfolded.
The Flagstaff War initially revolved around the cutting-down and reinstating of a flagstaff at Kororareka, as the Maoris tried to reassert their presence and the British to maintain their stronghold. A one time a supporter of the British, Chief Hone Heke was the first to sign the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi under which all chiefs ceded their rights and powers to the Queen of England in return for full possession of their lands, Britain's protection and the rights and privileges of British Subjects. Five years on, however, materially worse off on account of new custom duties and loss of his own levies, Heke became increasingly worried about the British encroaching on his territory. The sight of the British flag flying in Koroareka from a post which he had gifted to them spurred him into action and on the 8th July in 1844 his men felled the flagstaff. The British reacted quickly to preempt further attacks. Reinforcements were sent to the town and at a meeting with the chiefs it was agreed that Govenor FitzRoy would abolish the Customs duties and Heke would replace the flagstaff. This, however, only proved to be the beginning and the Maoris, now questioning the intentions of the British, began to fight back.
'John Heki (Chief Hone Heke) began on the 10th January this year by cutting down the Flagstaff at Kororarika, now called Russell ... It was erected again on the 17th, the Victoria having taked down 30 soldiers! to protect it. We lay off Kororarika two days, it was long enough to see that he was not trifling for he came down with about 70 men and, with his own had, cut it down again'. The flagstaff was replaced again and guarded by British soldiers. Heke, supported by Kawiti of Ngati Hine, attacked early in the morning of March 11 and cut down the flagstaff while another group attacked the town itself. The fighting continued until noon at which point Heke, satisfied with cutting down the flagstaff, raised a white flag to end the fighting. Then 'at 2pm the Magazine in the Town blew up and wounded several. The Town was considered untenable and all were embarked. The Natives came in and commenced plundering. We were sent with as many people as we could take to Aukland and on our return on the 15th met the Hazard with another vessel with the remainder of the refugees.' Heke came under attack from both the British forces and other Maori chiefs loyal to the crown, most notably Tomati Waaka who is singled out for praise by Richards. The British moved to attack Heke and Richards writes that on the 25th of June that the soldiers were encamped near Heke's pah. Richards himself expressed doubts about his role in the war. 'There is a great responsibility on all of us in this country - the war now existing is a chastisement no doubt. The failure which attends our military operations is quite unaccountable except on the assumption that God is not propitious.' The British continued to attack the Maori settlements, but although the Maoris suffered losses, the pahs remained in their hands. 'On the 1st last [July] our troops made an attack on Heki's pah at 3 in the afternoon & were repelled with great loss ... Col. Despard has had serious intentions of returning, if he does so all will be ruined - but at present he intends to remain where he is. We are greatly indebted to our native allies who are staunch & have been much more successful than our soldiers. A 'great mistake has been made here, I see no end to it'. In his letter dated January 1846, Roberts begins: 'we have now in NZ 1000 soldiers four men of war and a steamer and they are [ ] inadequate to cope with the natural hills ... The nature of the country being such that a very few men such as these savages can annoy a very superior force ... There is now a prospect of a peace or rather [ ] a sort of truce for our Gov[erno]r [Grey] has offered proclamation to that effect taking off the blockade and offering a pardon to all who offended in case of future good conduct.' On the 10th January 1846, the British defeated Heke at his new pah at Hikurangi. The Chief fled but was granted a pardon. He died in 1850. Robert Richards died in 1847 while trying to cross the Wanganui River. (17)
Five autograph letters, the first from Robert Richards to 'Charles Richards, Rio de Janero', Bay of Islands, Jan[uar]y 29th 1846, 3 pages, 316 x 198mm, addressed on recto of second leaf to Mr Char[les] Richards 'in case of the N. Star not touching at this to Miss Jane Richards, Callington, Cornwall' (two holes, on first and second leaf affecting a few words, marginal tear on second leaf); the second letter from ?Miss Richards to James ?, Hereford August 1st 1845 including copies of two letters from Richards to his sister Jane dated 15th July, Kiri Kiri and another from Richard to James July 11th 1845, 2 pages, 248 x 202mm (a few tiny holes at fold, one larger hole affecting a few words); the fifth letter (also a copy by ?Miss Richards) signed Robert Richards to his sister Jane, Vieri Vieri, Bay of Islands, June 25 1845, Victoria, 4 pages, 248 x 202mm, the fourth page as a postscript written on the same day and also signed 'Robt. Richards' (a few tiny holes at fold affecting a few words) [with] autograph letter signed from Samuel Ironside, Wesleyan Minister to Miss Richard, Welllington August 7th 1847, on her brother's death, 3 pages, 256 x 205mm (some water damage, tear at edge); autograph letter signed, Downing Street, 15 January 1848, 3 pages, 316 x 199mm on the death of Richards with newspaper article in manuscript and 2 newspaper cuttings from The New Zealander and The Southern Cross reporting the death; 8 legal documents relating to the Richards family and an autograph letter signed from Charles Richards.
EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT OF THE FLAGSTAFF WAR BY ROBERT RICHARDS, THE COMMANDER OF THE HM COLONIAL BRIG 'VICTORIA'. Richards held this post for six years and took an active part in the war against the Maoris headed by Chief Hone Heke, leader of the Ngapuhi. His letters home to his sisters give a vivid and detailed account of the events as they unfolded.
The Flagstaff War initially revolved around the cutting-down and reinstating of a flagstaff at Kororareka, as the Maoris tried to reassert their presence and the British to maintain their stronghold. A one time a supporter of the British, Chief Hone Heke was the first to sign the 1840 Treaty of Waitangi under which all chiefs ceded their rights and powers to the Queen of England in return for full possession of their lands, Britain's protection and the rights and privileges of British Subjects. Five years on, however, materially worse off on account of new custom duties and loss of his own levies, Heke became increasingly worried about the British encroaching on his territory. The sight of the British flag flying in Koroareka from a post which he had gifted to them spurred him into action and on the 8th July in 1844 his men felled the flagstaff. The British reacted quickly to preempt further attacks. Reinforcements were sent to the town and at a meeting with the chiefs it was agreed that Govenor FitzRoy would abolish the Customs duties and Heke would replace the flagstaff. This, however, only proved to be the beginning and the Maoris, now questioning the intentions of the British, began to fight back.
'John Heki (Chief Hone Heke) began on the 10th January this year by cutting down the Flagstaff at Kororarika, now called Russell ... It was erected again on the 17th, the Victoria having taked down 30 soldiers! to protect it. We lay off Kororarika two days, it was long enough to see that he was not trifling for he came down with about 70 men and, with his own had, cut it down again'. The flagstaff was replaced again and guarded by British soldiers. Heke, supported by Kawiti of Ngati Hine, attacked early in the morning of March 11 and cut down the flagstaff while another group attacked the town itself. The fighting continued until noon at which point Heke, satisfied with cutting down the flagstaff, raised a white flag to end the fighting. Then 'at 2pm the Magazine in the Town blew up and wounded several. The Town was considered untenable and all were embarked. The Natives came in and commenced plundering. We were sent with as many people as we could take to Aukland and on our return on the 15th met the Hazard with another vessel with the remainder of the refugees.' Heke came under attack from both the British forces and other Maori chiefs loyal to the crown, most notably Tomati Waaka who is singled out for praise by Richards. The British moved to attack Heke and Richards writes that on the 25th of June that the soldiers were encamped near Heke's pah. Richards himself expressed doubts about his role in the war. 'There is a great responsibility on all of us in this country - the war now existing is a chastisement no doubt. The failure which attends our military operations is quite unaccountable except on the assumption that God is not propitious.' The British continued to attack the Maori settlements, but although the Maoris suffered losses, the pahs remained in their hands. 'On the 1st last [July] our troops made an attack on Heki's pah at 3 in the afternoon & were repelled with great loss ... Col. Despard has had serious intentions of returning, if he does so all will be ruined - but at present he intends to remain where he is. We are greatly indebted to our native allies who are staunch & have been much more successful than our soldiers. A 'great mistake has been made here, I see no end to it'. In his letter dated January 1846, Roberts begins: 'we have now in NZ 1000 soldiers four men of war and a steamer and they are [ ] inadequate to cope with the natural hills ... The nature of the country being such that a very few men such as these savages can annoy a very superior force ... There is now a prospect of a peace or rather [ ] a sort of truce for our Gov[erno]r [Grey] has offered proclamation to that effect taking off the blockade and offering a pardon to all who offended in case of future good conduct.' On the 10th January 1846, the British defeated Heke at his new pah at Hikurangi. The Chief fled but was granted a pardon. He died in 1850. Robert Richards died in 1847 while trying to cross the Wanganui River. (17)
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