i7s7- tations, laid out in the moft regular manner, engage your attention,
S e p tem b e r . tjje {andfcape is finally clofed hy the mountains,, which are
■ cloathed to the very fummit with all the verdure of everlafting fpring.
Though thefe iflands are fituated within the tropics, yet experience
has Ihewn us that trade winds are far from being ponftant here,
particularly to the Weftward of Whahoo: the weather too is
frequently unfettled; and another very, great inconvenience attending
thefe iflands, is the want of a good harbour; though in
the fummer months I doubt not but veffels may lay -either in
Karakakoa Bay, Owhyhee; or Wymoa Bay, Atoui, with great fafety.
I imagine the climate is much the fame as that of tropical
iflands in general. The mean of the thermometer during our
flay here was 80 degrees.-
Owhyhee is by far the moft plentiful ifland of tlje whole; we
may indeed affign as one reafon for this, that it .is larger than any
two of the reft, but then its inhabitants are equally numerous in
proportion to its extent, and I am inclined to think-they are much
more fo, confeq.uently the land is more uijiverfally cultivated than
at any of the other iflands, which at once accounts for -the great
plenty o f vegetables, 8cc. met with here.
In my next thou wilt have what few remaining particulars I
can furnifh thee with refpefting thefe iflands; and thou mayeft
depend on their being fuch as have fallen within my immediate
obfervation. Adieu. Thine, &c.
W. B.
Atoui, 7
September 18th. J
L E T T E R
1787.
S e p tem b e r *
L E T T E R XLL
THE circumftance which renders Owhyhee peculiarly eligible
to touch at, is the great number of fine hogs it afford? :
fowls too are in great plenty here. In regard to vegetables, breadfruit,
potatoes, and plantains, are the moft plentiful ; taro is
more fcarce, and rather indifferent, and there are very few yams
to be met with.
Atoui is certainly the fécond ifland for refrefhments, and is in
fome refpecls fuperior to Owhyhee : it produces many fine hogs,
the greateft abundance of excellent taro, together with potatoes
and plantains. Cocoa-nuts are met with here in greater abundance
than, perhaps, at all the other iflands together ; and there
is plenty of fine fait, which is peculiarly ufeful in curing pork for
fea-ftore : add to this, plenty of excellent water is eafily procured,
and at leaft a temporary fupply of wood. The Chiefs are eafily
attached to your in-tereft, -and by that means every bufinefs is carried
on with the greateft order and regularity.
Whahoo, though greatly inferior to either of the iflands juft
mentioned in regard to -hogs or vegetables, yet it confeffedly claims
a firft place for fupplying thofe moft neceffary articles, wood and
■ water ; and I have rea-fon to think that in a few years it -will equal
Atoui in point of fertility. 'A fipirit of improvement feems to
animate the people to a very great degree , and it is really afto-
L 1 , nifhing