for the measure, I was gratified by hearing
that it was thought to be in consequence of
each party’s being possessed of a nearly equal
quantity of muskets, that a general and exterminating
war was avoided. Some may suppose
that similar tranquillity would have been
preserved, had they been equally well supplied
with their native weapons of war ; but that
would not have been the case. When they
found that each party could furnish forth the
same number of European muskets, they
paused, well knowing that it was contrary to
the wish of all the white settlers that they
should proceed to hostilities. Indeed, Europeans
intrepidly mingled amongst them,
urging them to a reconciliation ; and, threatening,
that, if they failed in, their endeavours,
the supplies of arms and ammunition
should be discontinued. This threat had its
desired effect on the minds of the natives :
no blood was spilt ; and each chief returned
quietly to his own home.
On the night we heard of the death of
George and his wife, “ Revenge and war”
was the universal cry. His party would not
believe that it could be an accident, nor
would they hear of any apology being received.
At this time they imagined the tribes
of E O Ke Angha were possessed of but
very few fire-arms; and, as the skirmish took
place in that district, it was determined that
an exterminating war should be carried into
the heart of it. However, before all the preparations
could be made to carry their intentions
into effect, they received certain information
that the people of E O Ke Angha
were even better supplied with muskets than
those of the Bay of Islands. This intelligence
occasioned an assemblage of the different
tribes to be proposed; and when it took
place, the friends of George saw their opponents
so well prepared for the “ tug of war,”
that they deemed it judicious to come forward,
and to shake hands, and to acknowledge
that the death of Shulitea proceeded
either from accident or mistake. A curious
circumstance took place in the midst of their
debate. An old chief, who wished for a fight,
and did not approve of the introduction of
fire-arms, but was an advocate for the old
s 4