JJ198*- io-Ihew with what art their projefts are defigned, and with what fuceefs
i— „—J they are likely to be attended.
- About two months before the capture of the Fair American, whilft
Mr. Metcalf was lying with his fnow in Karakakooa bay, it was propofed
to Tamaahmaah by tbefechiefs to feize the fnow, to put as many of her
crew to death as they thought necelfary, but to.referve a fufficient num-
ber to navigate her, and to inftr'uCl them in the management of fuch
weifels: By this acquifition, iifoagrfeafc an advantage would be gained over
the reft of the illands, as would make the conqueft of them all very
eafy; for under the power that Tamaahmaah would then have, they
muft inevitably be reduced to fubjeflion.
The mode propofed by Tianna for the; accomplilhment of this projeft
was, that whilft the crew wére engaged aloft in furling the fails after
they had been loofed to-dry, which, in confequence of thé then rainy
feafon, was a daily praftice on board the veffel, theft chiefs, with others
on whom they could depend, being alfembled on board for this exprefs
purpofe, Ihould mürder all thoft who remained upon deck, and put as
many o f the others to death, as they conlidered necelfary, on their coming
down out of the rigging. Tianna reduced the fuccefs of this exploit
nearly to a centainty, as he had been two or three times on board the
velfel whilft her fails were furling, and faw with what eafe his plan could
be carried into effect. ’ ,
Notwithftanding Tamaahmaah revolted at the idea o f this barbarous
fcheme, and with great abhorrence rejecled the propofals o f Tianna,
he very fortunately ftill remained in the neighbourhood. For when
the projeftors, inftead of fubferibing to the orders of their king, and
abandoning their cruel defign, repaired on board the velfel, Tamaahmaah
on becoming acquainted that they were fo alfembled, went in per-
fon immediately on board, and ordered them out of the velfel; adding
threats, that if they did not inftantly comply, he would inform Mr.
Metcalf of the danger that awaited him. They denied having vilited the
fhip with any hoftile intention ; and Mr. Metcalf left the ifland without
having theleaft knowledge of the confpiracy that had been formed for his
deftruClion ; and which had been the cafe alfo with the PrincefsRoyal, and
feveral
feveral other velfels, againft which their plots had been equally well '793-
concerted; but, by the timely interference of Tamaahmaah, their barba- > -TIT*
rous projefts had been defeated, and the lives of many civilized people
preferved.
On this fubjeCt I had queftioned both Tamaahmaah and Kahowmotoo,
who confirmed the information given by Young and Davis ; and in addition
to it they ftated to me, that,in council Tianna was always for war
and coercive meafur.es, by which,iconduCt he had .not only incurred their
difapprobation, but that Tamaahmaah had obliged him to quit his former
refidence in the neighbourhood o f Karakakooa, and to retire to the north-
weft part o f the ifland.
V ol. II. U CH A P TE R