March trufted to a fenfible and careful chief; who, impowered with fufficient
-— ,---- 1 authority, was immediately to proceed to Owhyhee, in order' to negociate
this defirable bulinefs with Tamaahmaah.
The execution o f this embaffy was allotted to a chief named Martier;
a man, whofe firft appearance and - deportment were likely to make
unfavorable impreflions; but,'whofe real charafter, I underftood, -was
that of a Ihrewd, fenfible fellow; and though his countenance was
ferocious, yet he was remarkable for the mildnefs and evennefs o f his
difpolition. In all our conferences he was a principal fpeaker, and
from the great attention paid by Titeeree and Taio to what he faid,
it was evident that his abilities were in great eftimation.
This favorite objeft being fo far attained, I embraced the opportunity
of a full affembly, to advert again to the inhuman murder at Woahoo.
On this occafion I was Hopped, rather haftily, by Titeeree, who obferved,
that that bufinefs was already fettled ; that they had full confidence in
my affertions, and that I ought not to doubt them !
Having confidered a general reftoration o f tranquillity'to thefe iflands,
and the punilhment o f the criminals at Woahoo, to be matters o f the
firft importance- to the fafety and interefts o f the commercial adventurers
in this, ocean, they had for feme time paft occupied much of
my attention. The profpect of the one being happily accomplilhed, and
o f the other being executed with juftice, afforded my mind no fmall
degree o f fatisfaftion; and as, by the furvey on which our boats were
employed, I fhould obtain a perfect knowledge of the Ihores of this
illand, the principal objefls that had induced my vifit hither, feemed to
promife a fuccefsful termination.
As neither hogs nor other refrefhments could be procured, I was anxious
to quit this ftation. Titeeree and his counfellors were made
acquainted that I intended fo to do, on the return of the boats, which
were expefted the next morning ; when, agreeably to their earneft re-
queft, I purpofed to pay them a vifit on Ihore, whilft the Ihip was preparing
for her departure.
They expreffed much concern at the Ihortnefs of our ftay, and fome
furprize that we fhould fo fuddenly take our leave. This I explained
2 , ' was
was occafioned by the neceflity I was’ under to vifit other dillant eoun- ‘ 793-
tries, and not from any difindination, or want o f friendlhip for them, as ■ ■
they had foppofed. With this reafon they became perfeftly fatisfied, but
hoped, as I could pay them only one vifit on Ihore, that it might be deferred
until fnnday morning, becaufe the next day was taboo poory, and it
would be impoffible -for them to receive us as they could wilh. They
eagerly intreated -me to remain until that time, when they would repair
to the Ihip and accompany me on fliore. The fame of our fire works
had reached Mowee, and they added to this requeft an earneft defire,
that their curiofity might be gratified in this refpeQ;. Taio in particular
was very preffmg in his folicitations, and as it was our firft vifit to thefe
chiefs, whofe friendlhip and good opinion I much wilhed to cultivate, I
was induced to comply with their wilhes; efpecially, as I was now fatisfied
that I had fufficient time for the bufinefs I had to tranfafil this feafon at
the other iflands, and to join the Chatham at Nootka, long before fhe
would be ready to proceed with us to the northward.
The chiefs having fucceeded in their wilhes, the' whole party feemed
exceflively happy, and returned to the Ihore for the purpofe of attending
their religious ceremonies.
In the evening, Mr. Menzies with his party returned from the mountains,
having received the greateft civility and attention from fuch o f
the natives as they had met with during their excurfion; and the next
morning Mr. Whidbey arrived onboard, after completing the examina- Saturday 16.
tion of the Ihores on this fide o f Mowee.
The Chatham’s cutter was fent on board, and Mr. Puget, agreeably to
my direftions, failed for Nootka, palling between the weft end o f Mowee,
and the eaft part of Morotoi.
Mr .Whidbey refumed his furvey round the weft point of Mowee; which
fervice he performed, and returned in the evening.
Before I clofe the narrative of our proceedings on this ftation, I
lhall Hate the refult o f the information obtained in Mr. Whidbey’s
excurfion.
During the firft day the boats did not advance more than 7 miles along
the Ihore, in a direHion N. 60 e ., to a place called by the natives Patoa,
Vol. II. C c and