difcourage, by every effort in their power, all animofities, difputes, and
wrangling, between the fubjedls of Titeeree and thofe o f Tamaahmaah.
And as great intemperance in the fupport o f the queflion, which of
thefe kings was the greatefl and moll powerful monarch ? was a grie vance
much complained of on both Tides, and had given rife to much ill
blood and contention amongft the people of the different governments ;
it became a matter of infinite confequence, that fuch converfations fhould
be immediately prohibited. When thefe preparatory meafures had undergone
due confideration, and- had heen adjufled by both parties, an
intercourfe of confidence and friendfhip, I alledged, would naturally take
place between the prefent contending powers ; and fuch meafures would
then be agreed upon, as would feem to be bell calculated to fecure a
permanent good underflanding, arid molt beneficial to their refpeftive
interefls. After repeating to them the happy confequences that would
refult from fo wife, humane, and political a meafure, in the fame manner
as I had reprefented them to Tamaahmdah, both Taio and Nama-
hanna, but particularly Taio, with refpèftful formality, queflioned me as
to the fincerity o f my views in thus flrongly recommending thefe peaceful
overtures. They defired to know the reafon, why the advice I gave
was fo directly oppofite to that o f the feveral commanders, and people
of the trading veffels, who for fome time paft had been their confiant
vifitors ? who had uniformly recommended a continuance o f the war
with Owhyhee ; had pointed out the numerous advantages they would
obtain ; and had fupplied them with arms and ammunition, for the ex-
prefc purpofe of carrying that advice into execution. To thefe interrogatories
I had no mode o f replying, but by producing fa£ls that
were completely within their own knowledge and obfervation. I Hated,
that fuch advice did not come from friends, but from perfons inter-
efled, not in their happinefs and welfare, but in their own aggrandizement
; who, having brought with them to thefe countries a large affort-
ment of arms and ammunition, as articles o f trade, would be great
lofers by fuch ventures, were the inhabitants of the different iflands to
remain in peace and unanimity with each other ; that under the happy
circumftances propofcd, thefe engines of deflrudlion would foon fall
R O U N D T H E W O R L D . 191
into low eflimation; that therefore it was not furprizing, if animo-
lity, revenge, and war were recommended, in order to enhance the
value of thefe commodities, and by that means fecure a larger fupply of
refrefhments. That my purfuit was of a very different charafler they
mull have been well convinced, by the nature of the articles they had received,
either as prefents from me, or in exchange for: the feveral productions
of their country; which were fuch as were ornamental to their
perfons, or really inflrumental to their welfare. That one of my mofl favorite
obje£ls was, to render them fuch fervices, on all occafions, as my
fltuation could afford. O f this they would be convinced, fhould they think
proper to adopt the pacific meafures I had propofed; in which cafe, I
would communicate their confent, by writing to the Englifhman redding
at Owhyhee with Tamaahmaah. On the receipt o f this, I alledged, a council
of the chiefs would be immediately affembled, and in the prefence o f a
chief to be appointed by Titeeree, and entrufled with the charge of this
important commiffion, Tamaahmaah, and the chiefs of Owhyhee, would
folemnly agree to, and faithfully abide by the peace, on the terms already
mentioned., And that further, to fecure the performance of the promifes
made to me at Owhyhee, I would threaten to withdraw the friendfhip and
good will I entertained towards that ifland, in cafe the king and the
chiefs fhould refufe to ratify their engagement.
Having thus explained to Titeeree and his friends, my wifhes, and
motives for the advancement of their happinefs and welfare, I left them
at full liberty either to embrace the bleflings and advantages of peace, or
to continue in their prefent calamitous flate of warfare and hoflility.
After a fhort confultation with each other, they unanimoufly declared
for peace.
Without any folicit^tion on my part, Taio requefled that, on my return
to thefe iflands, I would take him to Owhyhee, .where, under my
proteftion, he would, in perfon,. treat with Tamaahmaah, in order that
a lafting peace might be concluded, and an amicable intercourfe efta-
blifhed between Owhyhee and all the iflands ; and he defired that thefe his
intentions might be made known to Tamaahmaah. This was accordingly
done in my letter to Owhyhee on this fubjeft, which was to be in- .
trailed