Forsaith, Robert, 1820-1883 : Letter from Thomas Spencer Forsaith

Illustrated letter from Thomas Forsaith to 'Bob' (almost certainly his brother Robert, in England), describing a month-long journey through the Waikato region via Thames in 1845; Forsaith remarked on `the lamentable' British ignorance of the `Natives' here mentioned in the report. He writes of his companions, his journey through Thames and the Waihou River, Matamata, the Maunga Tautari mountain, Otawhao, Waipa, Kawhia, Aotia, Waingaroa, Waikato, Manukau Harbour and the settlement of Te Karaka to Auckland. His adventures included wading through swamps, travelling up and down rivers and creeks, giving a political harangue using `mob oratory' to `a large concourse of Natives', finding shining stones on the path (which turned out not to be diamonds), getting separated from his companions and becoming seriously lost.

After enduring a night in wet clothes, making his own shelter, eating raw `native cabbage' and demolishing a hut in order to build a raft to cross a river he was reunited with his companions.

The text is interspersed with ten watercolour drawings depicting his party, Maori and topographical scenes; it would seem the man dressed in blue is Forsaith. The illustrations are (1) a group of four travellers including four Maori and one European; (2) Rangitoto with two vessels close by; (3) waka with eight people in including three speaking, with bubbles `E te Potete ngarea...Mr Forsaith urge 'im on', `Come pull away boys, "Tena e tama mia hoea'" and `Tena ku me-a'; (5) officer wading through swamp; (6) Forsaith displaying `mob oratory' to a group of Maori; (7) Waikato beach, cliffs and land with travellers; (8) man wading through swamp; (9) man on raft following demolition of hut; (10) and an eel trap

Source of title - Supplied

The letter is written by Forsaith, probably to his brother, Robert, whom he calls Bob and Dr Bob, who had sent him British Parliamentary papers which included a report on the state of Maori

Quantity: 2 folder(s). 0.02 Linear Metres.

Physical Description: Holograph with watercolour illustrations, and colour laser photocopy

Provenance: Donor/Lender/Vendor - Purchased from Sotheby's, London, 1993

10 watercolour illustrations as described in scope and contents