III. 



Dec. 

 1825. 



PACIFIC AND BEERING'S STRAIT. 81 



anchor in a small bay on the northern side of the c ^ p 

 island, which I have in consequence named " Bounty 

 Bay," where every thing that could be of utility 

 was landed, and where it was agreed* to destroy the 

 ship, either by running her on shore, or burning her. 

 Christian, Adams, and the majority, were for the 

 former expedient ; but while they went to the fore- 

 part of the ship, to execute this business, Mathew 

 Quintal set fire to the carpenter's store-room. The 

 vessel burnt to the waters edge, and then drifted 

 upon the rocks, where the remainder of the wreck 

 was burnt for fear of discovery. This occurred on 

 the 23d January, 1790. 



Upon their first landing they perceived, by the 

 remains of several habitations, morais, and three or 

 four rudely sculptured images, which stood upon 

 the eminence overlooking the bay where the ship 

 was destroyed, that the island had been previously 

 inhabited. Some apprehensions were, in conse- 

 quence, entertained lest the natives should have 

 secreted themselves, and in some unguarded mo- 

 ment make an attack upon them ; but by degrees 

 these fears subsided, and their avocations proceeded 

 without interruption. 



A suitable spot of ground for a village was fixed 

 upon, with the exception of which the island was 

 divided into equal portions, but to the exclusion of 

 the poor blacks, who being only friends of the sea- 

 men, were not considered as entitled to the same 

 privileges. Obliged to lend their assistance to the 

 others in order to procure a subsistence, they thus, 

 from being their friends, in the course of time 

 became their slaves. No discontent, however, was 

 manifested, and they willingly assisted in the culti- 



VOL. I. G 



