a careful review of those circumstances which
have fallen immediately under my own observation
j this prejudice has long retarded our
knowledge of their true character, but error
must gradually give way to truth ; and as
the circumstances, which first brought the
stigma upon their name, come to light, and
are investigated and properly explained, I
feel confident the conduct of these islanders
will be found superior to that of any other
nation in the South Seas. I f we take the
whole catalogue of dreadful massacres they
have been charged with, and (setting aside
partiality for our own countrymen,) allow them
to be carefully examined, it will be found that
we have invariably been the aggressors : and
when we have given serious cause of offence,
can we be so irrational as to express astonishment
that a savage should seek revenge ? The
last massacre was that of “ The Boyd’s” crew:
every impartial person who reads the account
of that melancholy transaction must acknowledge
the unfortunate captain was most to
blame. But that event took place nineteen
years back $ since which time they know us
better, and respect us more: in proof of which,
four years since, “ The Mercury” brig was
taken possession of by a crowd of natives,
after they had endured a series of offences and
every kind of ill treatment: but the difference
in their fate, compared with that of “ The
Boyd’s” ship’s company, was remarkable,
and proved that the savage temper of the
natives was much softened down and humanised,
as they merely plundered the vessel,
but made no attempt to murder or molest any
of the crew, who, if they had possessed sufficient
courage, would not have sacrificed their
vessel: but, being terrified, they abandoned
her, and she was finally wrecked. During
my residence, I never heard of one of the
men having been murdered; and I feel fully
convinced no massacres will ever again be
committed in any of the ports in New Zealand
where European vessels have been accustomed
to anchor.
I once saw, with indignation, a chief absolutely
knocked overboard from a whaler’s
deck by the ship’s mate. Twenty years ago
so gross an insult would have cost the lives of