308 VOYAGE TO THE 



arrival of merchant vessels for these supplies, they 

 are liable to be deprived of them suddenly by the 

 1826.' occurrence of a war or of some other contingency, 

 and this at a period perhaps when by disuse they 

 will not have the power of falling back upon those 

 which have been discontinued. 



The country is not deficient in productions adapt- 

 ed to commerce. The sugar-cane grows so luxu- 

 riantly that from two small enclosures five tons of 

 white sugar are annually manufactured under the 

 superintendence of an Englishman ; cotton has been 

 found to succeed very well ; arrow-root of good 

 quality is plentiful : they have some sandal-wood, 

 and other ornamental woods suitable for furniture, 

 and several dyes. Besides these, coffee and other 

 grain might no doubt be grown, and they might 

 salt down meat, which, with other articles I have 

 not mentioned, would constitute a trade quite suffi- 

 cient to procure for the inhabitants the luxuries 

 which are in a gradual course of introduction, and 

 to make it desirable for merchant vessels to touch at 

 the island. It is not from the poverty of the island, 

 therefore, from which they are likely to feel inconveni- 

 ence, but from their neglect to avail themselves of its 

 capabilities, and employ its productions to advantage. 

 It seemed as if the people never had these things 

 revealed to them, or had sunk into an apathy, and 

 were discouraged at finding each year burthened 

 with new restrictions upon their liberties and enjoy- 

 ments, and nothing in return to sweeten the cup of 

 life. I cannot avoid repeating my conviction that 

 had the advisers of Pomarree limited the penal code 

 at first, and extended it as it became familiar to the 

 people ; had they restricted instead of suppressed 



