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of a native man who was employed to supply the whole crew
with bread-fruit while at anchor here. Let them send a good
musket for this man, because the captain has not given him a
good musket according to the agreement at the beginning.
Captain Miner also gave much trouble to the pilot. He took
his ship out himself: the pilot went after the ship to get his
money, and also the money for Pomare, for anchorage. He
would not give the pilot his share. After some time he gave
the pilot some cloth for his share.
“ In asking this, we believe that our wish will be complied
with. We have agreed to the wish of the British government
in receiving the Pitcairn’s people, and in giving them land.
We wish to live in peace, and behave well to the British flag,
which we consider our real friend, and special protection. We
also wish that you would put in office a man like Captain Hill,
and send him to Taliiti, as a representative of the king of Great
Britain, that he may assist us. If this should not be agreeable
to you, we pray you to give authority to the reverend George
Pritchard, the missionary at this station.
“ This is the conclusion of what we have to say. Peace be
with you. May you be in a flourishing condition, and may
the reign of the beloved king of Britain be long ! Written
at Tahiti on the sixth day of January, one thousand eight hundred
and thirty-two.
“ On b e h a lf o f P om a r e , th e q u e en .
“ Signed by A p a a p a , chief secretary.
A b u pa e a , d is tr ic t g o v e rn o r.
T e p a u , d is tr ic t g o v e rn o r.
T eh o e o , o n e o f th e seven su p rem e ju d g e s .
M a e e , a d is tr ic t ju d g e , (since ra is e d to
b e a su p rem e ju d g e ) .”
“ Addition:—“ This man, Lawler,* is an Irishman: he has
* This Lawler was so remarkably good-looking a man, that the natives
used to say (literally translated) that “ he was as beautiful as a glass
tumbler.” (Many j^ears ago, when Wallis discovered the Society Islands,
a drinking-glass excited so much notice, that ever since it has been
referred to as one of the most beautiful of objects.)
been living at Tahiti about three months: he came from the
Sandwich Islands. Of his previous conduct we can say nothing.
We much wish that a British ship of war would come frequently
to Tahiti to take to their own lands these bad foreigners that
trouble us. It is useless for us to depend upon the consul at
the Sandwich Islands. We have long known that we can
obtain no assistance from him.*
“ We wish to do our duty towards you Britons. You are
powerful and rich—but we are like weak children.
“ On behalf of P o m a b e , the queen.
A p a a p a , chief secretary.”
“ Paofai (close to Papiete),
Tahiti, 7th January 1832.”
This interesting letter needs no apology for its insertion at
full length. Besides explaining Mare’s application, it helps to
give an idea of the state of Otaheite; and it appeals to our
better feelings in a persuasive manner.
* The British government has since appointed Mr. Pritchard to act as
Consul for the Society and Friendly Islands.
Note (a) referred to in page 507.
That the electric agent (whether fire or fluid) goes upward from the
earth to the atmosphere, as well as in the contrary direction, showing
that a mutual action takes place between air and land, many facts might
be brought to prove : I will only mention two.
“ On October 25th we had a very remarkable storm : the sky was all in
flames. I employed part of the night in observing it, and had the pleasure
of seeing three ascending thunderbolts ! They rose from the sea like
an arrow; two of them in a perpendicular direction, and the third at an
angle of about 75 degrees.”—(De Lamanon, in the Voyage of La Perouse,
vol. iii. pp. 431-2).
While H.M. corvette Hind, was lying at anchor off Zante, in 1823,
in twelve fathoms water, an electric shock came in through her hawse,
along the chain-cable, by which she was riding. Two men, who were sitting
on the cahle, before the bitts, were knocked down—felt the effects of
the shock about half an hour—but were not seriously hurt. A noise like
that of a gun startled every one on board ; yet there was neither smell,
nor smoke, nor any other visible effect. The sky was heavily clouded over ;
small rain was falling; and there was distant thunder occasionallj», hut no
visible lightning. The cable vvas hanging slack, almost' up and down.’ I
witnessed this myself.
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