FINAL DRAFT OF THE TREATY PAGE 2
On the morning and afternoon of the 4th of February 1840 the final English draft of the Treaty of Waitangi is penned by James Busby, under the direction of William Hobson. The W Tucker, 1833 paper upon which it is written comes from the personal stock of U. S. Consul, James Reddy Clendon, at whose premises the final draft is completed. Clendon also makes himself a copy, in his own handwriting, and on the same W Tucker 1833 paper stock He will later send his transcribed copy to the U.S. Secretary of State, John Forsyth, on the 20th of February 1840.
Hobson takes the finished English draft from Clendon's estate at Okiato, across a narrow stretch of the harbour, to Reverend Henry Williams at Paihia (present day Te Haumi) at 4 p.m. Hobson requests that Williams translate this crucial, finalised text into the Maori language by the morning of the 5th of February 1840. Despite many problems and setbacks in recent days, Hobson has created his English draft treaty text, with less than a day to spare before it must be read to the assembly at Waitangi. During the night of the 4th & 5th of February 1840 Te Tiriti O Waitangi is created, through the linguistic expertise of Henry and Edward Williams, using this English draft original shown.
