HOCKIN’S ACCOUNT OF THE PELEW ISLANDS. 
107 
Ast. XXIV. A Supplement to the Account of the Pelew Islands; compiled from the 
Journals of the Panther and Endeavour, two Vessels sent by the Honourable East 
Lndia Company to those Islands, in the Year 17903 and from the oral Communications 
f of Captain H. Wilson. 
Oxford, M. A. Ato. pp. 72. 
WE presume that none of our readers 
are unacquainted with the interesting 
narrative, drawn up by the Jate Mr. Keate, 
of the shipwreck of the Antelope, an 
East India packet, commanded by cap- 
tain Wilson, on the Palos or Pelew 
Islands: The kindness and hospitality 
with which our countrymen were re- 
ceived by the natives, and the delicate 
attentions of Abba Thulle, their respect- 
able king, and his worthy brother, must 
have made a deep and favourable im- 
pression upon every mind. The liberal 
confidence in the honour of captain 
Wilson evinced by the king, in entrust- 
ing to his care Lee Boo, his second son, 
to be instructed in England in the arts 
of civilization, is equally to the credit 
of both parties: and the premature death 
of this promising youth by the small 
pox, after a few months residence in 
London, has, we doubt not, excited the 
most sincere regret and sympathy. 
Although, by the death of Lee Boo, 
the: connection between Great Britain 
and the Pelew islands might seem to be 
dissolved, the directors of the East India 
company were sensible that there yet 
remained obligations for them to fulfil: 
they resolved, therefore, to dispatch an 
expedition to these remote and unfre- 
quented islands, to notify the melancholy 
event that had taken place, and to ma- 
nifest their gratitude by a present of 
such articles, as would be particularly 
acceptable to the king and his people. 
Accordingly, about seven years after 
captain Wilson had left Pelew, two of 
the company’s vessels were equipped at 
Bombay, under the command of captain 
M‘Cluer; and Messrs. Wéedgeborongh 
and White, who had formed part of 
_ captain Wilson’s ship’s company, were 
appointed lieutenants. On the 24th of 
_ August, 1790, the vessels sailed from 
Bombay, and after touching at Madras, 
ylon, Bencoolen, Java, and New Gui- 
nea, in order to take on board cattle and 
seeds of various kinds, they arrived at 
the place of their destination on the 22d 
of January, 1791. 
A most joyful and affecting interview 
_ how took place between the English and 
_ the natives. The good Abbe Thulle 
was yet living, but his brother and se- 
By the Rev. Joun Pearce Hockin, of Lxeter College, 
2 plates, 
veral other chiefs, together with Blan- 
chard an Englishman, (formerly one of 
captain Wilson’s crew, but who chose 
to remain behind among these friendly 
islanders) had fallen in battle about five 
months before. When the king was 
informed of the death of Lee Boo, 
«« His countenance, which before bore the 
most evident marks of joy, became com- 
posed and thoughtful; and after remaining 
some time silent, as if wishing to recollect 
himself, he exclaimed, “* Weel, weel, weel 
a trecoy! (in English, Good, good, very 
good).” The king then paused a little, as 
if to gain relief; but on his again entering 
on the melancholy subject, he said, he never 
entertained a doubt of the goodness of the 
English, or the captain, but rested assured 
thar they would cherish and take caye of his 
son. ‘That the return of the ships with his 
friends the English, convinced him his opi- 
nion was right, when he gave Lee Boo to 
the care of captain Wilson; that he had 
counted upon Be line the captain gave him, 
as far as one hundred knots, or moons, and 
then despairing of ever seeing his son or the 
captain again, he had caused the line to be 
buried, supposing that the vessel which the 
English had built at Englishman’s island 
(Oroolong) was not large enough to carry 
them in safety to China, as they had sailed 
before the good moon set in. He then men- 
tioned the death of Blanchard, but frequently 
paused in reciting so melancholy a tale, 
many of his own family having been slain 
with him in battle.” : 
A few days after, the presents from 
the East India company were landed, 
consisting of cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, 
&c. together with various packages. 
Afier a feast given by the king, the 
packages were opened. 
«< The effect upon the multitude was 
wonderful; they were strack with amaze- 
ment, aud could not utter a word, but gave 
frequent Aas of astonishment. The king 
instantly distributed the arms to the principal 
rupacks, recommending them to be kept 
clean, and fit for service when wanted. 
«* In themorning, the vessels were removed 
nearer to the shore, and moored within 
hail; the grindstones, shovels, saws, and 
remaining packages of utensils were landed 
and presented to the king: when these were 
opened, and the different things exposed to 
view, and their uses were explained to him, 
Abba Vhulle himself was lost in silent 
thought dor some time. 
