418 



ment to receive the cession of Nootka Sound and the adjoining 

 country from a commissioner of Spain ; and to make a complete 

 survey of the northwest coast. He had under his orders the ship 

 'Discovery' and the armed tender 'Chatham'." — Alexander. 



First Visit Mar. 2 to 16, 1792. 

 Presents of Useful Plants. 



They sailed north from Tahiti, and on March 2nd arrived at 

 the Kona side of Hawaii. Trading was begun, and Vancouver 

 mentions the 'Very excellent water-melons." No landing was 

 made, but Kaiana visited Vancouver, who presented him with 

 "some vine and orange plants, some almonds, and an assortment 

 of garden seeds, to all of which he promised the most particular 

 care and attention." \^ancouver later states : 'Tt was a great 

 pleasure to observe the avidity with which all the chiefs who had 

 visited the ship sought after the vegetable productions we had 

 brought ; which, if attended to, will in future add to their present 

 abundant production." At Kawaihae Bay he gave presents of 

 "some fine orange plants and a packet of different garden seeds ; 

 and likewise a goat and kid." 



OaJiH. 



Sailing on toward Oahu, he remarks the "apparent sterility" 

 and "few scattered miserable habitations" on Lanai. Anchoring 

 at Waikiki Bay, trading was resumed, and excellent musk and 

 water-melons were received. The plain and valleys around Wai- 

 kiki were observed to be in "a high state of cultivation and fer- 

 tility." Vancouver and a party (including Menzies, the botanist), 

 landed, in quest of water for the ships, and went a mile inland. 

 He describes the numerous taro patches, and contrasts the labor- 

 ious cultivation observed here with the spontaneous crops of 

 Tahiti. Fresh water not being readily obtainable at Waikiki, he 

 set sail for Kauai, and arrived at Waimea on March 9th. 



Kauai and NiiJiau. 



A landing was made, temporary quarters established, and with 

 several men, including Menzies, Vancouver made a short trip 

 across the Waimea lowlands. He remarks the extensive taro 

 lands, and plantings of sugar-cane and sweet potatoes. Several 

 other short excursions were made, none occupying more than 

 part of a day. Among other presents, a pair of goats were given. 

 On the 14th Vancouver sailed for Niihau, where a plentiful sup- 

 ply of yams and other provisions were obtained; he gave many . 

 useful articles of Captain Kendrick's sandalwood collectors, in- 

 cluding garden seeds, orange and lemon trees ; and on the six- 

 teenth sailed for America. 



Prominence has been given to the first introduction of Euro- 



