4 A V O Y A G E O F D I S C O V E R Y
‘ 7M- which feemed to be greatly increafed by his meeting us at this, his molt
—i favorite part of the ifland; where h e hoped we fhould be able to remain
fome time, to take the benefits arifing from its fertility; which,
from the appearance of the neighbouring (hores, feemed to promife an
abundant fupply of the various refrelhments thefe countries are known to
produce.
Tamaahmaah had noticed the boats in their way to the Ihore, and
trailed they would return with a favorable report; which he, as well as
ourfelves, anxioufly waited for until five in the evening. Mr. Whidbey
now informed me, that during the prevalence of the foutherly winds, in
the more advanced part of the fpring feafon, Whyeatea might probably
be found a tolerably fecure and convenient place, as the land formed a
deep bay, which was additionally flickered by a reef lying off its fouth-
eall point, with foundings from 25 to 6 fathoms, clear fandy bottom; at
leaf! as far as his examination had extended. This had not been very
minute, as the bay was intirely expofed to the northerly winds, which
then blew very ftrong; and being attended; with a heavy fea from that
quarter, rendered: any attempt to land from our boats imprafticable.
On this report I determined to proceed to Karakakooa, as that bay
was indifputably at this time the moll fecure and convenient port for
flapping of any in the Sandwich iflands;
My intention was direftly made known to Tamaahmaah, and X requefl-
ed that he would give us the pleafure of his company thither; well
knowing that his influence over the, inferior chiefs and the people would
be attended with the moll defirable confequenees, in preferving the harmony
and good underflanding that already fo happily exifted. He did
not however feem much inclined to accept my invitationj or to give
me a politive anfwer; but requefted, that the velfels might remain fome
days, in this neighbourhood, to- avail ourfelves of the ample fupply of
refrelhments that might be procured' here, before we proceeded to any
other part of the ifland; adding, that he would remain with us to lee this
bull nefs properly performed.
I was by no means difpofed to accede to the wilhes o f the king, nor
was I fatisfied with the arrangement he had propofed.
The
R O U N D T H E W O R L D . 5
The velfels having been driven- far to leeward on the morning of the
10th, and the wind then blowing flrong from the northward, attended u
with a very heavy fea, I pointed out and explained to Tamaahmaah, the
great improbability of our being able to comply with his defires, and the
neceffity o f our proceeding without delay to fome place of fecure anchorage,
for the purpofe of refitting; renewing at the fame time and mthe
llrongefl terms, my' felicitations for his company. I did not fail to enforce
how important his prefence would neceflarily be, not only to us
Ear whom he had repeatedly exprefled the greateft refpeft and friend-
{hip, but alfo to the welfare of his own fubje&s. He readily acknowledged
the propriety of my- obfervations, and how much he was inclined to
adopt the meafure I had propofed; but he now avowed that he could
not accompany us, as the taboo appertaining to the feflival of the new
year demanded his continuance for a certain period, within the limits
of the diftria in which thefe ceremonies had commenced. The time of
interdiftion was not yet expired, and; it was not polfible he could abfent
himfelf without the particular fanaion of the priells. T o obtain this
indulgence, he confidtered his preface to be indifpenfibly neceffary
on Ihore at the morai. Aware o f the fuperior influence poffelfed by
the priellhoody and of the ftri® adherence of all- ranks to their fuper-
ftjtions, X' fufpeaed’ that if Tamaahmaah went on Ihore they would not
allow him to return ; for this reafbn I recommended, that one of the
chiefs in his fuite fhould repair thither, and make known the king’s
pleafure. But as this propofal did not feem to meet his ideas, or to be
confonant to his wifhes, I refolved not to detain him contrary to his
own free will and inclination; or by any other means than thofe of per-
fuafion. Yet as I confidered his attendance to be an objefl of too much
importance to; be readily relinquifhed, I had recourfe to a fort of artifice,
that I had reafonto- believe would anfwer my purpofe by its operation
on his- feelings. I defifted from all importunities, and attributed
his declining my invitation to a coolnefs and a relaxation in the fnend-
{hip he had formerly Ihewn, and pretended to entertain; and I flated, that
I had no doubt of foon finding amongfl the other iflands fome chief,
whofe