PROGRESS OF TRADE. 
32 
dollars. The natives are aware that they can, 
for money, procure almost any thing they want ; 
and are, consequently, beginning to appreciate its 
value. They have also another powerful reason 
for preferring money to blankets, clothing, pow- 
der, muskets, axes, or other hardware articles. 
If they possessed any property, and it were 
known to any one else, they would be bound in 
honour to distribute it amongst their friends 
and adherents, or be liable, on the first cause of 
offence, to be dispossessed of all. But gold and 
dollars lie in so small a compass, that they can 
easily be concealed, or be carried undiscovered 
about their persons ; and can be parted with in 
as small sums as may suit their convenience 
or their wants. Counterfeit coin has, however, 
been palmed upon them for genuine; medals 
have been passed for dollars; and even gilded 
farthings have gone current for sovereigns ; — so 
that the New Zealanders are become jealous of 
the payment which they receive ; and unless they 
have full confidence in the honesty of the person 
with whom they are dealing, or unless a third 
person be present, to witness the transaction, and 
to vouch for the genuineness of the coin, they 
will not conclude the bargain, or receive in cash 
any portion of their due. 
