THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 



129 



Owhyhee, - 



Mowee, 



Woahoo, 



Atooi, 



Morotoi, 



Oneeheow, 



Ranai, 



Oreehoua, 



Total of inhabitants, 



150,000 

 65,400 

 60,200 

 54,000 

 36,000 

 10,000 

 20,400 

 4,000 



400,000 



1779. 



March. 



I am pretty confident, that, in this calculation, I have not 

 exceeded the truth in the total amount. If we compare the 

 numbers fuppofed to be in Owhyhee, with the population 

 of Otahcite, as fettled by Dr. Forfter, this computation will 

 be found very low. The proportion of coaft, in the latter 

 iQand, is, to that of Owhyhee, only as one to three: the 

 number of inhabitants in Otaheite he ftates to be one hun- 

 dred and twenty-one thoufand five hundred; though, ac- 

 cording to his own principles, it mould be double that 

 amount. Again, if we compare it with the medium popu- 

 lation of the countries in Europe, the proportion will be in 

 favour of the latter nearly as two to one. 



Notwithstanding the irreparable lofs we fuffered from the 

 fudden refentment and violence of thefe people, yet, in 

 juftice to their general conduct, it muft be acknowledged, 

 that they are of the mod mild and affectionate difpofition; 

 equally remote from the extreme levity and ficklenefs of the 

 Otaheiteans, and the diftant gravity and referve of the inha- 

 bitants of the Friendly Iflands. They appear to live in the 

 utmoft harmony and friendfhip with one another. The wo- 

 men, who had children, were remarkable for their tender 

 and conftant attention to them ; and the men would often 



Vol. III. S lend 



