254 A MISSION TO VITI. 



different to the wishes and orders of his chief. When 

 King George visited Fiji, it was in the ' John Wesley/ 

 and it was on board of that vessel the arrangement rela- 

 lative to the subjugation of Kaba was concluded. Fi- 

 nally, nothing was said by the missionaries whilst Maafu 

 achieved his conquest, and it was only after great atro- 

 cities had been committed that a letter of remonstrance 

 was addressed to him.* 



Yet, notwithstanding these facts, occasionally urged 

 with great vehemence, I dismiss, as utterly unfounded, 

 the idea that the missionaries concocted the whole plan 

 with the Tonguese. A calm review of all the informa- 

 tion on hand, rather leads to the conclusion that Maafu 

 was leading the missionaries to believe that he was ad- 

 vancing their interest, when indeed he only abused their 



* The following is a copy of a letter sent to Maafu, extracted from the 

 records of the Wesleyan Missionary Society at Sydney, by the Hev. J. 

 Eggleston : 



"There is something, Sir, which I wish to tell you, i.e. our hatred of 

 the deed performed at Nabekavu amongst the people of Natakala. It was 

 of no use whatever. If it was not done by your orders, please inform me, 

 that I may defend your character. There is another subject which I de- 

 sire also to make known. It is extensively reported that this war is the 

 work of the missionaries. If this be true, tell me now which of us has 

 sanctioned the hostile proceedings. Was it me, or whom? Please inform 

 me, for it will be published prejudicially all over the world. If we are 

 belied, be kind enough to vindicate us in your letter to me. Tell your 

 people also to announce you (as the author), and not to announce us. I do 

 not wish to prevent your approach to Ulumatua and Wai JSTunu. Please 

 yourself about this ; for yours is its goodness, and yours is its evil. But 

 command your warriors to announce you ; do not let them announce us, as 

 we do not sanction it in the least. It is also rumoured that it is our ad- 

 vice that Mara, Bitova, Tui Levuka, and another be put to death. If you 

 seize these, do not deliver them to be killed, lest it be said that it is by our 

 advice. We have not come to make known a message of death ; our work 

 allotted to us is preaching. But if a man disturb the country, let his chief 

 bring him to a trial. 30^ July, 1859." 



[I have not seen the answer to this letter, if there was one. B. ] 



