ncvS eh, that frequented this fpot on account of-a fpecies of fophora-
tree, of which they confirmed the leaves and feeds.- We returned
in the evening at eight o’clock, finding a number of
natives on board, who had arrived from another part of the.
bay. Thefe natives fold us no provifions like thofe who
came with Peeterre, but brought dreffes, arms, and other
. curiofities ; captain Cook therefore abfolutely prohibited all
commerce with them. They returned to us again the next
morning, but the captain perfifted in his refolution of not
admitting them, unlefs they brought us refrefhments. Indeed,
this manner of proceeding was equally laudable and
neceflary; it required the utmoft exertion of authority, as
well as the enforcement of example, to make the ftubborn
failor take the leaft ftep for the benefit of his own health,
as foon as his attention was engaged by the manufactures
i of the natives. It is furprifing to what a pitch the rage of
collecting arms and utenfils had rifen among the crew.
During our ftay at Queen Charlotte’s Sound, feveral of our
people who were fent to make brooms, with the boatfwain
at their head, robbed the hut of a poor native of feveral
tools, and forced upon him fome nails, which they thought
an equivalent. Fortunately, the natives found means to
complain to captain Cook, and the offenders were juftly
punifhed. The crew of the Endeavour were not a whit
more equitable or honeft; they robbed the wife ofTuborax
Tamaide at Taheitee, and feemed at New Zeeland* to think
they had a right to the property of the natives. Indeed
their character is very uniform, and cannot well be other-
wife from their manner of life ; and it may be obferved»
that their own commanders complain of the fame inhuman
propenfity to deftroy the poor harmlefs people of the South
Seas, which I have fo frequently obferved in thecourfe of
this voyage f .
The embargo which was; laid on the trade was the rea-
fon that all the natives left us on the 4^1 except! a fingle
wretched family, who had not been able to catch fifh during,
the two laft days, on account of the ftormy weather. We
found them at the Indian Cove, feeding on infipid fern-
roots, for want of more nutritive food. Each of their huts
contained a fire, of which the fmoke entirely involved
them; however, by lying down clofe to the ground, they
were left incommoded by the fmoke than if they had fat
upright. Notwithftanding the inconvenience of. this fitu-
ation, there were not wanting feveral of our fhipmates who
readily took up with the fame lodging, in order to receive,
the cardies of the filthy, female inhabitants. Perhaps, it-
may be imagined that only brutilh failors could have, fuch
* See Hawkfworth, vol II. p. 103, and 136. W e may likewife confute vol. III.
p. 659, where an inftance of barbarity is recorded, fimilar to-, that- mentioned in this
work,(vol. HI p. 282.
f See Hawkefworth, vol. II. p. 365.
1774.'
November