May 17/14 (Copy) Sydney } - N S Wales } Declaration of William Burnett I sailed from this port the 17th October 1809 in the Mary Captn Simmons belonging to Mr Bennett of London. We arrived at the Bay of Islands New Zealand in about three weeks. The Mercury Schooner Theodore Walker Master, & the Inspector Captn John Walker went in company with us part of the voyage but arrived at the Bay of Islands before us where we found them. A vessel called the New Zealander Captn Elder was also at the Bay of Islands where she had been fitting out. Captn Elder told us the Natives had been very friendly to him & had rendered him every assistance in fitting out his Vessel. The Mary & the Inspector also reported the same of the behaviour of the Natives. [f] Between the 10th & 15th of November the Mary & the Inspector got under weigh. As they were passing Tippahee’s Territories Theodore Walker master of the Mercury came on board the Mary & endeavoured to persuade Captn Simmons to send a Boat & Crew to assist him in taking Potatoes as the Natives would sell them none. The only Potatoes in the Country were growing & were too young to dig. Captn Simmons therefore said he would have nothing to do with it, as it might endanger other Ships, & himself likewise, as he expected to return for refreshments. Walker then went ashore in his own Boat. The Mary having foundered at Sea I went on board the New Zealander Captn Elder which did return to the Bay of Islands. The Natives informed us that Walker went ashore & took the largest [f] of the young potatoes on board his vessel. Captn Simmons & Captn John Walker of the Governor Macquarie Inspector [sic] both declared they would protest against Walker’s conduct towards the Natives. I also mentioned Walker’s conduct to Mr & Mrs Wells the proprietors of the Mercury on my return to this Port. At this time the Boyd Captn Thomson was not captured. May 17. 1814 Wm Burnett