1840.] MOVEMENTS OF THE SQUADRON. 353 



buttons, bottles, and brushes, are the articles best suited for 

 traffic in these islands. 



(10.) Shortly after the arrival of the American Squadron 

 in the Feejee Group, a prominent native chief, by the name 

 of Vendovi, who had been one of the chief instigators and 

 actors in the murder of a part of the crew of an American 

 vessel, several years previous, was captured by the address 

 of Captain Hudson.* This had the effect to intimidate the 

 natives, to some extent, and the friendly footing established 

 by Captain Wilkes with the king of Ambau, served for a 

 long time to protect the American vessels and their crews 

 from molestation. But it was natural, perhaps, that the many 

 new articles which the savages saw should excite their cu- 

 pidity; and on the 12th of July, a cutter was lost on the reefs 

 in Sualib Bay, twenty-five miles east of Mbua Bay, in the 

 island of Vanua-levui. Parties of natives had been hovering 

 along the shore all day, and when they discovered that the 

 cutter had grounded, they rushed forward and captured it 

 with everything it contained, except the arms and chronom- 

 eters, with which the crew succeeded in making their es- 

 cape. Restitution, and prompt satisfaction for the outrage, 

 were forthwith demanded by Captain Wilkes. After some 

 parleying the boat was restored, but without the property. 

 Becoming satisfied from the numerous prevarications of the 

 natives, that they were trifling with him, the American 

 commander ordered Captain Hudson to land with an armed 

 party and destroy the town of Tye on Sualib Bay, where 

 the natives concerned in the capture of the cutter were 

 knowzi to have collected. This was effected on the 13th of 

 July : the natives were driven from their koro, which con- 

 tained about sixty houses ; and the buildings were then fired 

 and burnt to the ground, together with a number of yam- 

 houses in the vicinity. Several chiefs were captured, but, it 

 being ascertained that thev were not concerned in the outrage, 

 they were restored to liberty. 



* Vendovi was brought as a prisoner to the United States, where he sickened 

 and died. 



