May 11, 1792 Home Providence Log May 13, 1792
Revised Aug 26 2021
Cloudy Weather with Variable Winds round the Compass & Calms. Sea Breeze a few Hours in the Afternoon. Thermometer from 80 to 82½ Degrees.
Employed Washing and Cleaning.
While I was at Van Diemans Land I procured a quantity of Plank of the Metrocedera, to enable me to make Boxes and extra places for my Plants. This has given me an opportunity to remark, that the Wood which Strangers would imagine was fit for the common purposes of building is not, in fact, worth any thing or valuable for any purpose, but Fuel, when sawn into Plank, it is so inclinable to Warp and Split. Small Spars however we find strong and usefull for such purposes as do not require them to be cut out of their natural shape.
Oreepyah, with his Nephew Otoo, (the King), & Hammennnemanne came to take their leave of me on their going to Paparrah to see their Relation Tomaree the Chief of that place, who lies very Ill and is expected to die; But their principal object is to see what can be done, to take away some Musquets which the People of that District are in possession of fro the Seamen of the Matilda's Boat who put in there. Nothing can equal the rage these people have after Arms. There is nothing they would not sacrifice to procure them, but the Parties who have them in possession I believe are too wise to part with them. Could the Otoo Family get Arms I have no doubt but they would govern the whole Country, a Right which they say is inherent in themselves.
Before they sat out on their expedition it was necessary to consult me. Tynah therefore came with the party to give his interest for them to be so equipped with presents of different kinds, as would insure them a welcome reception.
I indulged him in the most he asked for, and they left us with light hearts, dressed in European Clothes, and a large quantity of Iron Work and Trinkets in their bundles.
We have now so few people about us that I have no new circumstances to relate, the day passes over in quiet, and the busyness of the Ship carried on without interruption as we have seldom fifty of the Natives on board at any one time. A few Cannoes are generally passing and repassing and those supply us with as much as we are in need of.
Matavai still remains a deserted Villiage [sic], some Families however are come in, and the Women and Children have their little amusements as I have described (common to them) in my last Voyage.
Towards Tarrah (which Hill divides Matavai from Oparre) a great deal of injury is done to the finest of the Trees. Numbers of them are barked all round and are in a dying state, but others have been considered of such Value, the Natives have endeavored to save them by laying on a bandage or plaster of clayish kind of soil round the wound, and wraping it carefully over with leaves. Here we find among a set of People, (whose minds are uncultivated,) what has lately been extolled in our own Country as an ingenious devise of Dr. Fothergill, with this difference, I cannot assert there is any Cow Dung in the composition.
Not far from this spot, was the evidence of Peter Haywood the Villain who assisted in taking the Bounty from me. His House was on the foot of a Hill, to top of which gave him a fine look out. He had regulated his Garden & Avenue to his House with some taste, the latter was made conspicuous by a Row of fine Shaddock Trees, which, like other favorite things, suffered in the late War. The care with which all the Villains regulated their domestick concerns, and the account I have of them, give the clearest proofs they enjoyed their Situation, if it was possible, burthened with the heinous crimes they had been guilty of. Happily, perhaps it was ordained they should be entrapped through their own seduction.
May 11, 1792 Home Providence Log May 13, 1792