324 SAILING OF THE SQUADRON. [1840 



bands. The " Devil's party" were completely successful in 

 repelling an assault made upon their fortifications, and after 

 various conflicts and reverses, peace was restored. Though 

 the intercourse of the Tongese with the natives of the Feejee 

 Group has had the tendency to impair or detract from the in- 

 fluence of the missionaries, they have much to encourage 

 them ; and, if pursuing their labors with patience and per- 

 severance, they may at no distant day accomplish the com- 

 plete civilization and moral regeneration of the inhabitants 

 of the Tonga Islands. 



(6.) Early in the morning of the 4th of May, the Explor- 

 ing Squadron got under way, and sailed out of the harbor of 

 Nukualofa. The Porpoise was detached, under the command 

 of Lieutenant Ringgold, with orders to proceed to the eastern 

 group of the Feejee Islands, and to examine and survey the 

 long line of islets and reefs extending to the north, between 

 the 178th and 179th meridians. The other vessels pursued a 

 north-westerly course, towards the main Feejee Group ; and 

 on the 8th of May the Vincennes and Peacock came safely 

 to anchor in the harbor of Levuka, on the east side of the 

 island of Ovolau. The Flying Fish did not arrive till the 11th 

 instant, having been delayed in her passage by running on a 

 coral reef off the island of Nairai, and carrying away a por- 

 tion of her false keel. Preparations were forthwith made, 

 upon the arrival of the vessels, to proceed with the examina- 

 tion of the islands, and to make an accurate survey of all the 

 reefs, coasts, and harbors. 



