Parris protested his innocent intentions. 'Did they not want a road?'
'Yes. Take the people with you, make the road, take them to town, let them have access to everything, and if they steal or get drunk, mind you do not imprison them!'
He had been puzzled by these final words, Parris reported to Wellington. He had asked 'friendly natives' their meaning and they had said it was sarcasm...