Oct 26, 1788 Home Logbook Oct 28, 1788
Revised Jun 29 2021
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First part fresh Trade, middle and latter Moderate and fair, Wind ENE and East. Thermometer 82° to 79°.
The Afternoon I was so crouded with the Natives I could not attempt to move the ship, but in the Morning at day light I got under way and worked into the Bay and Anchored at 9 oClock in 4¾ fms with the Best Bower veered and moored a cable each way. Point of the Reef N37°W. Point Venus N16E. west end of one Tree Hill S¾W, and the Westmost Land S63°W. distance about ¼ of a Mile from the shore.
I now became as crouded with the Natives as before, and several Inferior Cheifs, and some of different districts came on board. One was called Poeeno who was Cheif of Matavai. I had another called Oree,pay,ah, a Brother of Otoo, and a very elderly man called O,taow or Otow, said to be Otoo's Father, to all those, I made liberal presents and received a few Small Hogs, Breadfruit, Cocoanuts, Plantains and Apples in return. I received two small Hogs and Plantain Trees by different people from Otoo, and was assured he was to be here to Morrow, but he had sent that to show his friendship and good Will to me.
The Otaheiteans appear to me to be much altered for the better since 1777. We then could not prevent them from theiving. At present only one circumstance, a Man stealing a Tin Pot, has happened, and this I detected and took away. The Cheif Oree,pay,ah being present flew into a violent rage at the Theif, and flew round the Deck, and with billets of wood he violently beat without mercy and drove over board everyone. He then came to me and desired I would whenever I caught any person theive, tye them up and flog them, and I promised him I would. This was a mode of conduct I never saw in any Otaheite Cheif Before.
I enquired much after our Cattle that were left here and at the Neighbourig Islands, but the accounts were so various and appeared so very unfavorable to my wishes that I shall forbear speaking about them untill I hear with more certainty. The famouse Old Admiral Towah so often spoke of by Captn. Cook is certainly dead. They call him Tettowah.
As a proof of the good sense of these people, they have in general adopted our kind of Tools. Hatchets, and not Toeys, are considered only of high Value but unfortunately for me, I declined bringing only a few Hatchets and had
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Toeys made on purpose of different sizes. Files, Gimlets, Combs, Knives, Looking Glasses are also in great esteem.
The Supplies I now meet with being very plentifull, every one has more than he can make use of. The Cocoa Nuts are in perfection, and I give orders for them to be generally used as wanted.
As soon as the Ship was Anchored I went on shore with the cheif Poeeno of Matavai. On landing he conducted me to the place where our Tent was fixt in 1777, and gave it me for my use, desiring I would bring mine also on shore. From hence he took me across the Beach and conducted me through a most delightful Breadfruit Walk pleasantly shaded, to his House and showed me many others all of which he called his own. His Wife and her Sister were at work staining a piece of Cloth red. I was requested to repose myself on a Mat which was spread for me, and I accordingly did, but the Natives thronged so round the House, created a most intense heat. I represented this, and they immediately drew back and gave me air and I found the situation cool and agreeable. After staying about an hour with Poeeno, his Wife and Sister, I told him I was to return on board to Dinner, when the Ladies, for they deserve to be called such from their natural and unaffected manners, and elegance, got up, and taking some of their finest Cloth and a Mat, cloathed me in the Otaheite stile and then said "we will go with you to your Boat", and each taking me by the hand amidst a great Crowd led me to the Water side and took their leave with a promise to come on board in the Afternoon.
At Poeeno's House, I saw a Man who had lost his arm just above the Elbow, and was as fine a Cure as could possibly be. I asked how it happened, and they said he was taking Cocoa Nutts from a High Tree and fell and broke his Arm, but I could not understand sufficiently, to say, how the amputation was performed.
I had a proof that our former attention to these people was not thrown away. Two Shaddocks and Pompions were brought to us to Day and several Capsicoms and two Young Goats.
Captn. Cooks Picture which was left by him in 1777 and drawn by Mr Webber was brought to me, With a request to repair it. They said it came from Otoo, that it was Toote Errie no Otaheite. They said Toote* told Otoo when
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he gave it him that when his son came out he must show it him, and they would always be good Friends. Excepting a little of the background and the Picture being eaten off, it was not at all defaced. The Frame wanted a little repair and as all came within my abilities I assured them it should be done and they left it.
A Lady came on board dressed in a Callico shirt which she said an Errie on board Tonas ship had given her, on examining it, I found it marked Watts.
A Cheif came on board called Whydooah and Youngest Brother of Otoo. I made him some presents. He was exceedinly affected by the use of the Ava, and appeared Stupid and Sulky.
Every Night I order all the Natives on shore except the Women, as soon as the Sun is down.
Only two of my people unwell and that only a faintness from the heat of the Weather.
Oct 26, 1788 Home Logbook Oct 28, 1788