302 TAHITI. [CHAP. SVIIL 



and how much in each individual case to the precepts of religion. 

 But it is useless to argue against such reasoners ; I believe that, 

 disappointed in not finding the field of licentiousness quite so open as 

 formerly, they will not give credit to a morality which they do not wish 

 to practise, or to a religion which they undervalue, if not despise. 



Sunday, November 2.2nd. The harbour of Papiele, where the queen 

 resides, may be considered as the capital of the island ; it is also the seat 

 of government, and the chiet resort of shipping. Captain Fitz Roy took 

 a party there this day to hear divine service, first in the Tahitian language, 

 and afterwards in our own. Mr. Pritchard, the leading missionary in 

 the island, performed the service. The chapel consisted of a large 

 airy framework of wood ; and it was filled to excess by tidy, clean 

 people, of all ages and both sexes. I was rather disappointed in the 

 apparent degree of attention ; but I believe my expectations were 

 raised too high. At all events the appearance was quite equal to that 

 in a country church in England. The singing of the hymns was 

 decidedly very pleasing; but the language from the pulpit, although 

 fluently delivered, did not sound well : a constant repetition of words, 

 like "fata ta t mata tnai," rendered it monotonous. After English 

 sen-ice a party returned on foot to Matavai. It was a pleasant walk, 

 sometimes along the sea-beach and sometimes under the shade of the 

 many beautiful trees. 



About two years ago, a small vessel under English colours was 

 plundered by some of the inhabitants of the Low Islands, which were 

 then under the dominion of the Queen of Tahiti. It was believed that 

 the perpetrators were instigated to this act by some indiscreet laws 

 issued by her majesty. The British government demanded compensa- 

 tion ; which was acceded to, and a sum of nearly three thousand dollars 

 was agreed to be paid on the first of last September. The Commodore 

 at Lima ordered Captain Fitz Roy to inquire concerning this debt, and 

 to demand satisfaction if it were not paid. Captain Fitz Roy accord- 

 ingly requested an interview with the Queen Pomare, since famous 

 from the ill-treatment she has received from the French ; and a parlia- 

 ment was held to consider the question, at which all the principal 

 chiefs of the island, and the queen, were assembled. I will not attempt 

 to describe what took place after the interesting account given by 

 Captain Fitz Roy. The money, it appeared, had not been paid; 

 perhaps the alleged reasons were rather equivocal; but otherwise I 

 cannot sufficiently express our general surprise at the extreme good 

 sense, the reasoning powers, moderation, candour, and prompt resolu- 

 lution, which were displayed on all sides. I believe we all left the 

 meeting with a very different opinion of the Tahitians, from what we 

 entertained when we entered. The chiefs and people resolved to sub- 

 scribe and complete the sum which was wanting ; Captain Fitz Roy 

 urged that it was hard that their private property should be sacrificed 

 for the crimes of distant islanders. They replied, that they were 

 grateful for his consideration, but that Pomare was their Queen, and 

 that they were determined to help her in this her difficulty. This 

 resolution and its prompt execution, for a book was opened early the 



