As Turi could not write, Hongi made the ingenious suggestion that his _moko_, or face-tattoo, should be copied on the deed.

This was done by a native artist.

The document began as follows: "Know all men to whom these presents shall come, That I, Ahoodee O Gunna, King of Rangee Hoo, in the Island of New Zealand, have, in consideration of twelve axes to me in hand now paid by the Rev.Samuel Marsden, of Paramatta, in the territory of New South Wales, given, granted, bargained and sold, and by this present instrument do give, grant, bargain and sell," etc., etc.
The deed is not only the first New Zealand conveyance, but has an interest beyond that.

It is evidence that, at any rate in 1815, a single Maori, a chief, but of inferior rank, could sell a piece of land without the specific concurrence of his fellow-tribesmen, or of the tribe's head chief.

Five and forty years later a somewhat similar sale plunged New Zealand into long years of war.
After this Marsden returned to Sydney.