58 COOK S VOYAGE TO FEB. 



no doubt, from a misconstruction of our lenity, com- 

 pelled us at last to have recourse to violence in our 

 own defence; yet I am not so sure that the circum- 

 stances of the case would, in the opinion of the world, 

 have justified the use of force on our part in the first 

 instance. Cautionary rigour is at all times invidious, 

 and has this additional objection to it, that the seve- 

 rity of a preventive course, when it best succeeds, 

 leaves its expediency the least apparent. 



During the time we were thus engaged, in con- 

 certing some plan for our future conduct, a prodi- 

 gious concourse of natives still kept possession of 

 the shore ; and some of them came off in canoes, 

 and had the boldness to approach within pistol-shot 

 of the ships, and to insult us by various marks of 

 contempt and defiance. ■ It was with great difficulty 

 we could restrain the sailors from the use of their 

 arms on these occasions ; but as pacific measures 

 had been resolved on, the canoes were suffered to 

 return unmolested. 



In pursuance of this plan, it was determined that 

 I should proceed toward the shore, with the boats of 

 both ships w 7 ell manned and armed, with a view to 

 bring the natives to a parley, and, if possible, to ob- 

 tain a conference with some of the chiefs. 



If this attempt succeeded, I was to demand the 

 dead bodies, and particularly that of Captain Cook ; 

 to threaten them with our vengeance in case of a 

 refusal ; but, by no means, to fire unless attacked j 

 and not to land on any account whatever. These 

 orders were delivered to me before the whole party, 

 and in the most positive manner. 



I left the ships about four o'clock in the after- 

 noon \ and, as we approached the shore, I perceived 

 every indication of a hostile reception. The whole 

 crowd of natives was in motion ; the women and chil- 

 dren retiring ; the men putting on their war mats, and 

 arming themselves with long spears and daggers. 

 We also observed, that, since the morning, they had 



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