would be but one, meaning Oloo. This expreflion, in its literal fignifica-
tion, means “ to eat the Man the idea, however, which in this fenfe it is
intended to' convey, is to point out thole, whofe rank and authority
entitle them to prelide at human facrifices ; a power which at prefent is
polfefled only by Mowtee and Otoo.
In confequence o f the extenfive dominion that has devolved upon
this young monarch, he is not now diftinguilhed by the title of
A n e de Hoi, but by one which is confiderably more eminent and
comprehenfive; fince they fay there may be many Arees de Hoi,
but there can be but one Aree Maro Eoora; which means, the chief
o f the red-feathered Maro ; and under which title, Otoo a authority
is acknowledged in Otaheite, Morea, Mattea, Tetero, Tupea-man-
noo, and Huaheine. But the people of Ulietea and Otaha, feem much
averfe to this fubmiflion; and it does not appear, that even Mowree
himfelf has much influence in thofe iflands, notwithftanding that he is
their acknowledged fovereign. Since the death of Opoony, the govern,
ment of the iflands under his late authority appears to have been ill ad-
miniftered ; the inhabitants having been very turbulent and much difpo-
fed to anarchy: and in confequence of the difinclination which the people
o f thefe iflands have manifefted to fubfcribe to the fupreme authority of
Otoo, an expedition was in contemplation from Otaheite, to enforce the
power of the Aree Maro Eoora over them, and little doubt was entertained
of its fuccefs. Another favorite objeft was the annexing to Otoo’s
prefent dominions by conqueft, (for no right was fet up,) the iflands of
Bolabola, Mowrooa, and Tapi, which, fince the'death o f , Opoony, had
been governed by his daughter, and were faid, in a great meafure, to
have loft their former high reputation as a martial and warlike nation.
Pomurrey and his brothers having procured from the velfels which
had lately vifited Otaheite, feverafmufkets and piftols, they confidered
themfelves invincible; and the acquiring o f new polfeflions for Otoo,
now feemed to occupy the whole of their ftudy and attention. They
were extremely felicitous that I Ihould contribute to their fuccefs by
augmenting their number of fire-arms, and adding to their ftock of ammunition.
O f the latter I gave Pomurrey a fmall quantity; but o f the
former I had none to difpofe of, even if I had feen no impropriety in complying
with his requeft. Finding there was no profpeH of increafing their ; > 79*.
armory, they requefted that I would have the goodnels to conquer the terri-
tories on which they meditated a defcent, and having fo done, to deliver
them up to Otoo ; and as an excufe for their fubjugation, infilled that it was
highly eflential to the cdmfort and happinefs of the people at large, that
over the whole group of thefe iflands there Ihould be only one fovereign.
On fatisfying them that the iflands in queftion. Were quite oiit of my
route, and that I had no leilure for fuch an enterprize, Pomurrey, in
the molt earned manner requefted, that on my return to England I
would, in his name, folicit His Majefty to: order a {hip with proper
force to be immediately fent out, with direftions, that if all thofe iflands
were not fubjefted to his. power before her arrival, Ihrf. was to conquer
them for Otoo ; who, he obfer-ved, I well knew would ever be
a Heady, friend to King George and the Englilh. This requeft was
frequently repeated, and he did not fail to urge it in the moft prefling
manner at our parting.
I cannot take leave of my friend, for to fuch. an epithet from me
Pomurrey’s conduft juftly entitles him, without adverting to the alteration
which feemed to have taken placé in his charafter, fince.. my
former vifits to this country. A t that time,: he was not only confidered
as a timid, but a very weak prince'; on this occafion,'however, he did
not appear deficient either in difcernment, or intrepidity ; although it
mull be acknowledged his fears were exceedingly awakened at the dif-
play of our fire-works, and that he always appeared to regard fire-arms,
with a confiderable degree of terror ; which polfibly might arife from
his knowledge of their deftruflive powers, whilft at the fame time he
remained ignorant of the extent to which they were capable o f doing
execution ; but this character o f weapons out of the queftion, we had rea-
fon to believe his courage was equal to that of his neighbours, o f which
he certainly gave an undeniable proof by joining our party aloneand unarmed
at the encampment ; in direft oppofition to the counfel and ap-
prehenfions of his furrounding countrymen. On former occafions, I
had alfo confidered his general charafier to be haughty, aullere, and combined
with much low cunning. When he condefcended to fpeak, or
converfe, which was not frequent, little or no information could be de