^79^« would, as ufual, enter into trade With the natives, until great numbers
__,— j were affembled; the commanders then ordered them to -be- fired upon,
which continued, without mercy, as long as any o f the canoes
were within (hot. Tomokomoho fiated,. that'two o r ’three‘infiances.'of
this barbarous nature had taken place, as well by the Eriglifh as the
American traders, and which was the reafon why ,my invitation had
been diftrufted.
The .two chiefs folicited my vifiting Trytooboofy-, - laying, i f he had
not been fo ill, he would have been with us during the late unpleafant
bufinefs ; and that he was very defirous of feeing me, that he might be
better convinced of my friendfhip and good inclinations towards him.
I fhould certainly have complied with this requeft, had there been any
objeft whatever to attain. Although I did not entertain any apprehen-
fion for the fafety of myfelf, or any perfon belonging to the Ihip, whilft
under the protection of the chief, yet I did not confider it prudent,
whilft the execution of the criminals was fo frefh in the minds o f the
people, to throw temptations o f revenge in the way o f the daring and
ill-difpofed part of the fociety, by placing myfelf and others in their
power on fhore. Should my confidence, on making the trial, prove
ill-grounded* I fhould Hand felf-accufed, in having fo unneceflarily opened
the channel for a frefh effufion o f blood. Their civil invitations,
were, for thefe reafons, declined, feemingly much to their mortification,
1 was not however at a lofs to relieve them of the difappoint-
ment, provided their intentions were as pure as their profeflions,
As the only object the two chiefs had in view, was ftated to be an
interview between me and Trytooioory., whofe indifpofition, and the
want of a proper conveyance, prevented him coming on board, I pro-
pofed, as the day was remarkably fine and pleafant, to make a commodious
platform on a double canoe, on which he might with great eafe
come alongfide, and then if he found himfelf inclined to come on board*
he fhould be hoifted in by means of a chair, or I would converfe with,
him on the platform* and render him any medical or other affi fiance;
With this propofal they appeared to be as well fatisfied as if I had
vifited
vifited him on fhore, and Coleman, with Tennavee, immediately de- *793-
parted to communicate this plan to the chief; to whom alfo, the better ■ farch'
to infure his confidence, I again fent a prefent of red cloth and other
articles, Thefe had the defired effect, and the meflerigers foon returned
accompanying Trytooioory, who, without the leaft hefitation, defired he
might be hoifted into the fhip, which he entered, and was placed on the
quarter-deck with the moft implicit confidence.
Trytooioory appeared to be about thirty-three years of age, his countenance
was fallen and reduced, his emaciated frame was in a moft debilitated
condition, and he was fo totally deprived o f the ufe of his legs,
that he was under the neceffity o f being carried about like an infant;
to thefe infirmities was added, a confiderable degree o f fever, probably
increafed by the hurry and fatigue o f his vifit.
The ufual compliments, and mutual exchange of friendly aflurances,
having paffed, I requefted the favor o f his company below ; to this with
much pleafure he affented, but no fooner were his intentions known to
the natives in the canoes about the fhip, than a general alarm took place,
and he was earneftly recommended not to quit the deck; from a fufpi-
cion, as I imagined, amongft the crowd, that the works of death were not
yet finally accomplifhed. Trytooioory however difregarded all remon-
ftrances, and ordered the people who were carrying him in the chair,
and who, in confequence o f the alarm, had flopped, to proceed to the
cabin, where he found a comfortable refting place, and appeared to be
perfeftly at home. He then informed me, that he had not been ill above
fixteen or eighteen days ; and as Mr. Menzies had now inquired into
the nature of his diforder, and had prepared him fome medicines, I gave
him hopes that his health would foon be reinftated.
Notwithftanding his indifpofition, his converfation was cheerful and
pleafing; and I had the happinefs o f hearing him confirm every part
of the evidence, that had been given againft the three unfortunate wretches
who had fuffered in the morning. He fpoke of them all as being equally-
guilty, and of having always borne extremely bad charafters; and faid.
there were many others o f the fame defcription at Woahoo, but hoped
ther