A General History & Collection of Voyages and Travels ... - Nauticus

Recommendations

Info

send him red feathers in abundance. This in some measure satisfied him; but the youth was exceedinglydesirous of going; and if I had not come to a resolution to carry no one from the isles (except Oedidee if hechose to go), and but just refused Mr Forster the liberty of taking a boy, I believe I should have consented.Otoo remained alongside in his canoe till we were under sail, when we put off, and was saluted with threeguns.Our treatment here was such as had induced one of our gunner's mates to form a plan to remain at this isle.He knew he could not execute it with success while we lay in the bay, therefore took the opportunity, assoon as we were out, the boats in, and sails set, to slip overboard, being a good swimmer. But he wasdiscovered before he got clear of the ship; and we presently hoisted a boat out, and took him up. A canoewas observed about half-way between us and the shore, seemingly coming after us. She was intended totake him up; but as soon as the people in her saw our boat, they kept at a distance. This was a preconcertedplan between the man and them, which Otoo was acquainted with, and had encouraged. When Iconsidered this man's situation in life, I did not think him so culpable, nor the resolution he had taken ofstaying here so extraordinary, as it may at first appear. He was an Irishman by birth, and had sailed in theDutch service. I picked him up at Batavia on my return from my former voyage, and he had been with meever since. I never learnt that he had either friends or connections, to confine him to any particular part ofthe world. All nations were alike to him. Where then could such a man be more happy than at one of theseisles? where, in one of the finest climates in the world, he could enjoy not only the necessaries, but theluxuries of life, in ease and plenty. I know not if he might not have obtained my consent, if he had appliedfor it in a proper time.[3] As soon as we had got him on board, and the boat in, I steered for Huaheine, inorder to pay a visit to our friends there. But before we leave Otaheite, it will be necessary to give someaccount of the present state of that island; especially as it differs very much from what it was eight monthsbefore.[3] The poor fellow, Mr G.F. informs us, paid a fortnight's confinement in irons for his frolic, agreater price, perhaps, the reader will think, than the matter deserved. One shudders to imagine whatwould be his anguish at the simple disappointment of his purpose; but that it is possible might renderhim less sensible to the weight of his bonds. That a solitary hopeless wretch, who had not a friend orrelative in any other region of the globe, should form an attachment to these affectionate islanders,and attempt to settle in the midst of their proffered enjoyments, was so imperatively natural, that onecannot help feeling indignation at the mercilessness of an artificial discipline, which exerted sorigorous a retribution. The advantages of this penal system must be great and obvious indeed, thatcan compensate for such enormous outrage on suffering humanity. G.F. has allowed himself toreason on this subject, in a way not much calculated to ease the mind of his reader: a short specimenmay suffice. "The most favourable prospects of future success in England, which this man mightform in idea, could never be so flattering to his senses, as the lowly hope of living like the meanestOtaheitan. It was highly probable that immediately on his return home, instead of indulging inrepose those limbs which had been tossed from pole to pole, he would be placed in another ship,where the same fatigues, nocturnal watches, and unwholesome food, would still fall to his share; orthough he were allowed to solace himself for a few days, after a long series of hardships, he mustexpect to be seized in the midst of his enjoyments, and to be dragged an unwilling champion to thedefence of his country: to be cut off in the flower of his age, or to remain miserably crippled withonly half his limbs, might be the alternatives to which he would be reduced." But we forbear thedistressing theme, and would willingly direct the reader's eye and hopes, to that most beneficentprovision for the repose and comfort of our meritorious sailors, which the wisdom of the legislature,too tardily it must be confessed, has lately contemplated.--E.I have already mentioned the improvements we found in the plains of Oparree and Matavai. The same wasobservable in every other part into which we came. It seemed to us almost incredible, that so many large
canoes and houses could be built in so short a space as eight months. The iron tools which they had gotfrom the English, and other nations who have lately touched at the isle, had no doubt greatly acceleratedthe work; and they had no want of hands, as I shall soon make appear.The number of hogs was another thing that excited our wonder. Probably they were not so scarce when wewere here before, as we imagined, and not chusing to part with any, they had conveyed them out of oursight. Be this as it may, we now not only got as many as we could consume during our stay, but some totake to sea with us.When I was last here, I conceived but an unfavourable opinion of Otoo's talents. The improvements sincemade in the island convinced me of my mistake; and that he must have been a man of good parts. He hadindeed some judicious sensible men about him, who, I believe, had a great share in the government. Intruth, we know not how far his power extended as king, nor how far he could command the assistance ofthe other chiefs, or was controulable by them. It should seem, however, that all had contributed towardsbringing the isle to its present flourishing state. We cannot doubt that there were divisions amongst thegreat men of this state, as well as of most others; or else why did the king tell us, that Towha the admiral,and Poatatou were not his friends? They were two leading chiefs; and he must have been jealous of themon account of their great power; for on every occasion he seemed to court their interest. We had reason tobelieve that they raised by far the greatest number of vessels and men, to go against Eimea, and were to betwo of the commanders in the expedition, which we were told was to take place five days after ourdeparture. Waheatoua, king of Tiarabou, was to send a fleet to join that of Otoo, to assist him in reducingto obedience the chief of Eimea. I think, we were told, that young prince was one of the commanders. Onewould suppose that so small an island as Eimea would hardly have attempted to make head against theunited force of these two kingdoms, but have endeavoured to settle matters by negociation. Yet we heardof no such thing; on the contrary, every one spoke of nothing but fighting. Towha told us more than once,that he should die there; which, in some measure, shews that he thought of it. Oedidee told me the battlewould be fought at sea; in which case the other must have a fleet nearly equal, if not quite, to the one goingagainst them; which I think was not probable. It was therefore more likely they would remain ashore uponthe defensive; as we were told they did about five or six years ago, when attacked by the people ofTiarabou, whom they repulsed. Five general officers were to command in this expedition; of which numberOtoo was one; and if they named them in order according to the posts they held, Otoo was only the third incommand. This seems probable enough; as being but a young man, he could not have sufficient experienceto command such an expedition, where the greatest skill and judgment seemed to be necessary. I confess Iwould willingly have staid five days longer, had I been sure the expedition would have then taken place;but it rather seemed that they wanted us to be gone first. We had been all along told, it would be ten moonsbefore it took place; and it was not till the evening before we sailed, that Otoo and Towha told us it was tobe in five days after we were gone; as if it were necessary to have that time to put every thing in order; for,while we lay there, great part of their time and attention was taken up with us. I had observed that forseveral days before we sailed, Otoo and the other chiefs had ceased to solicit my assistance, as they werecontinually doing at first, till I assured Otoo that, if they got their fleet ready in time, I would sail withthem down to Eimea: After this I heard no more of it. They probably had taken it into consideration, andconcluded themselves safer without me; well knowing it would be in my power to give the victory towhom I pleased; and that, at the best, I might thwart some favourite custom, or run away with the spoils.But be their reasons what they might, they certainly wanted us to be gone, before they undertook any thing.Thus we were deprived of seeing the whole fleet equipped on this occasion; and perhaps of beingspectators of a sea-fight, and by that means, gaining some knowledge of their manoeuvres.I never could learn what number of vessels were to go on this expedition. We knew of no more than two
Page 1 and 2:
AGENERALHISTORY AND COLLECTIONOFVOY
Page 3 and 4:
Produce, and Inhabitants: Astronomi
Page 5 and 6:
SECTION I. Passage from Ulietea to
Page 7 and 8:
First Voyage, &c., second edition.
Page 9 and 10:
After leaving these islands, Quiros
Page 11 and 12:
of his instructions, he did not fin
Page 13:
had been well ascertained, and foun
Page 16 and 17:
[14] Till the discovery of what has
Page 18 and 19:
third lieutenants, the lieutenant o
Page 20 and 21:
have made, would have done honour t
Page 22 and 23:
learning from his voyage; that he w
Page 24 and 25:
long as the condition of the ships,
Page 26 and 27:
occasional use of fires to destroy
Page 28 and 29:
To record incidents such as these,
Page 30 and 31:
on this occasion, was not omitted.T
Page 32 and 33:
At two in the afternoon on the 29th
Page 34 and 35:
[10] Mr G.F. speaks with much more
Page 36 and 37:
steering directly for, till we were
Page 38 and 39:
ears; they immediately rowed toward
Page 40 and 41:
On the 24th, the wind blew from N.W
Page 42 and 43:
This longitude is nearly the same t
Page 44 and 45:
Myself, being the mean of six dista
Page 46 and 47:
land.At nine o'clock, the wind veer
Page 48 and 49:
elieve that land of any extent lay
Page 50 and 51:
seen in the heavens, similar to tho
Page 52 and 53:
and dashing of the waves into the c
Page 54 and 55:
longitude was 121° 9'. At three o'
Page 56 and 57:
We continued to advance to the N.E.
Page 58 and 59:
come nearer. After dinner I took tw
Page 60 and 61:
discover himself, had taken some li
Page 62 and 63:
These he never would suffer to go o
Page 64 and 65:
continued without intermission till
Page 66 and 67:
emote from the present trading part
Page 68 and 69:
which is not more remarkable for th
Page 70 and 71:
clouds, and seemed to forebode much
Page 72 and 73:
which appears supernatural, and wil
Page 74 and 75:
hills; plenty of water which falls
Page 76 and 77:
and with much difficulty we saved h
Page 78 and 79:
myself the morning after my arrival
Page 80 and 81:
lioness. It certainly bore much res
Page 82 and 83:
me before that time, he was then to
Page 84 and 85:
their existence. But nature, we may
Page 86 and 87:
subject, this disease was indigenou
Page 88 and 89:
and seldom higher than 54, at the s
Page 90 and 91:
the time, blew from different direc
Page 92 and 93:
inhabiting the lithophytes. They ra
Page 94 and 95:
were striking, and left us a little
Page 96 and 97:
After the first salutation was over
Page 98 and 99:
presented the king with two fine go
Page 100 and 101:
former. I told them to return me th
Page 102 and 103:
the harbour, I chose to turn in by
Page 104 and 105:
going. As his intention in coming i
Page 106 and 107:
which taught him to avoid the socie
Page 108 and 109:
On the 11th, early in the morning,
Page 110 and 111:
one; at last, all my enquiries gave
Page 112 and 113:
disease existed at Otaheite previou
Page 114 and 115:
is soft and pulpy, then they spit i
Page 116 and 117:
many parts of England."-G.F.After r
Page 118 and 119:
they did not seem willing to part w
Page 120 and 121:
extraordinary value at Otaheite and
Page 122 and 123:
After we had done examining this pl
Page 124 and 125:
The officer informed me that the na
Page 126 and 127:
ass kettle, a saw, two large spikes
Page 128 and 129:
[1] This subject is resumed in the
Page 130 and 131:
desirous of those we had on board.
Page 132 and 133:
Their ornaments are amulets, neckla
Page 134 and 135:
wants the common necessaries of lif
Page 136 and 137:
common features, and cannot, theref
Page 138 and 139:
"Though we were situated under the
Page 140 and 141:
six o'clock, being off Cloudy Bay,
Page 142 and 143:
eing persuaded they would take prop
Page 144 and 145:
we embarked, in order to return on
Page 146 and 147:
youth under twenty.[8][7] An instan
Page 148 and 149:
in the history of almost all nation
Page 150 and 151:
for Cape Teerawhitte, and afterward
Page 152 and 153:
The Sun himselfe cannot forgetHis f
Page 154 and 155: place where they are formed.[3][3]
Page 156 and 157: manner, covered with ice; a hard ga
Page 158 and 159: improvement of discipline, the incr
Page 160 and 161: [10] A few days before, according t
Page 162 and 163: pintadoe peterel, some blue peterel
Page 164 and 165: south, which soon after freshened,
Page 166 and 167: Endeavour; so that this can hardly
Page 168 and 169: stocked with abundance of fowls and
Page 170 and 171: lackish brown cavernous and brittle
Page 172 and 173: passed along, they observed on a hi
Page 174 and 175: fresh water worth taking on board.
Page 176 and 177: towards each end. To these are tied
Page 178 and 179: perseverance of these islanders in
Page 180 and 181: I continued to steer to the west ti
Page 182 and 183: ut could not prevail on the chief t
Page 184 and 185: are a mile from each other, in the
Page 186 and 187: grounds, for such an inference.--E.
Page 188 and 189: abounding, I have been told, with f
Page 190 and 191: now entirely recovered from the blo
Page 192 and 193: come forwards in a curve. This fron
Page 194 and 195: Next day we had a present of a hog
Page 196 and 197: dinner; after which I went down to
Page 198 and 199: more proper for me to go. All his a
Page 200 and 201: end; and all I could expect, after
Page 202 and 203: We had no sooner dispatched our fri
Page 206 and 207: hundred and ten, besides smaller ca
Page 208 and 209: especially by the ladies; as many o
Page 210 and 211: went on shore with a boat's crew, a
Page 212 and 213: in the neighbourhood; but they were
Page 214 and 215: which, according to the simplicity
Page 216 and 217: their religion, customs, traditions
Page 218 and 219: Before I finish this account of the
Page 220 and 221: heights; and only myself, and four
Page 222 and 223: the same that Tasman watered at. In
Page 224 and 225: officer. One time, after he had bee
Page 226 and 227: uncultivated. There is, however, fa
Page 228 and 229: the 9th, when we had for a few hour
Page 230 and 231: small shot, I gave him the contents
Page 232 and 233: of a negroe. Their beards are very
Page 234 and 235: view of plying up to the eastward o
Page 236 and 237: acceptable entertainment, and were
Page 238 and 239: then, to pop out and throw a dart.
Page 240 and 241: SECTION V.An Intercourse establishe
Page 242 and 243: troublesome to the eyes.Early in th
Page 244 and 245: island. Hence, that gentleman infer
Page 246 and 247: expeditious as it can well be. They
Page 248 and 249: observed, were planted as thick as
Page 250 and 251: that were prevailed on to stay, ran
Page 252 and 253: We understood that the little isle
Page 254 and 255:
weapons; almost every one of them c
Page 256 and 257:
appeared over the west end of Tanna
Page 258 and 259:
it. The wind being at south, we wer
Page 260 and 261:
[6] "Quiros had great reason to ext
Page 262 and 263:
went; and the middle of it is in la
Page 264 and 265:
untoward circumstances of the world
Page 266 and 267:
weather side of it, we stood in wit
Page 268 and 269:
appearance of the country.--"We wal
Page 270 and 271:
after my return on board.It was of
Page 272 and 273:
Accordingly I ordered them to be ta
Page 274 and 275:
of it. A nation of women, we may co
Page 276 and 277:
I have before observed, that the co
Page 278 and 279:
in their country, and the scanty su
Page 280 and 281:
hoisted in the boats, and made sail
Page 282 and 283:
leagues. In the afternoon, with a f
Page 284 and 285:
e done. We had from the top-mast-he
Page 286 and 287:
in a space of two hundred leagues;
Page 288 and 289:
eighteen fathoms water close to the
Page 290 and 291:
[3] "They continued from time to ti
Page 292 and 293:
A little within the entrance on the
Page 294 and 295:
then squatted herself down, on her
Page 296 and 297:
longitude 166° 15' W.On the 20th,
Page 298 and 299:
Two hours after, we made the land,
Page 300 and 301:
inlet was another, with several isl
Page 302 and 303:
harbour is not quite free from this
Page 304 and 305:
enough to spoil the appetite of any
Page 306:
which we called EMBOTHRIUM coccineu
show all

A General History & Collection of Voyages and Travels ... - Nauticus

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?