Nov 30, 1788 Home Logbook Dec 2, 1788
Revised Jun 29 2021
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Very Strong Breezes at ESE with some showers of Rain. The Air is now become more free and pleasant than it has been since I have been here. The Thermr. from 78 to 81. Empd. in the Hold examining provisions and restowing them. Sailmrs. repairing the Main Topsail, and the Carprs. I set to work to make small boxes for holding plants.
Launched the large Cutter and hauled the small one on shore to clean and paint, found some parts eat by the Worms. I therefore after cleaning her well, in order to destroy those that were in the bottom, poured a large quantity of boiling water over them.
In the course of the night by the remissness of my Officers & People at the Tent, they suffered the Boats Rudder to be stolen, and on my landing in the morning I found Tynah, His Father, Mother, and the whole family so much affraid of my displeasure, that they would not come near the Tents. The Wife Iddeah however was sent to me to know if I was angry with them, but as it was a thing not of so much consequence in my present situation as to create an alarm, by which means all those people would leave me. I sent them word that I was good Friends with them, and that I was only angry with the Theif who I would most severely punish if I got hold of him. They assured me in return that he should be found and the Rudder returned, and their fears being all removed we became as intimate as before, not that I have any expectations of seeing the Rudder again. This is the only Theft of any consequence since we have had the Tents on shore, and I beleive this has been committed by some of the People who are now here from Ulietea and Huaheine, and not by any of Matavai or Oparre. Frequent disputes with Indians have a dangerous tendency, as all altercations produce threats on our side without being able, or perhaps not convenient, to put them in execution, it is therefore better to put up with trifling losses unless the Offender can be detected, and in that case all the Cheifs wish him to be punished, and they appear to
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have no doubt of his being severely dealt with if he falls into my hands.
Tynah with his Brother Oreepyah, Poeeno and Moannah dined with me and I promised my Assistance to the first in building his House for which he is, in the course of the day, busyly employed getting Timber down from the Country. Whydooah the Youngest Brother of Tynah is also a constant visitor to the Ship, & from seeing I took no notice of him from being frequently drunk with Ava, he has lately left it off and is become a fine active Young Man. He is esteemed as a great Warrior and at the time of the War with Imeo it was him who killed Mahiney the Cheif of that Isld. Mahiney was Cheif when Captn. Cook was here in 1777.
Nov 30, 1788 Home Logbook Dec 2, 1788