1835.] TAHITIAN PARLIAMENT. 399 



demanded compensation; 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 

 Eoy to inquire concerning this debt, and to demand satisfaction if 

 it were not paid. Captain Fitz Eoy accordingly requested an 

 interview with the Queen Pomarre, since famous from the ill- 

 treatment she has received from the French ; and a parliament 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 

 resolution, 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 subscribe and complete the sum which was wanting ; 

 Captain Fitz Eoy 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 

 Pomarre was their Queen, and that they were determined to help 

 her in this her difficulty. This resolution and its prompt execu- 

 tion, for a book was opened early the next morning, made a 

 perfect conclusion to this very remarkable scene of loyalty and 

 good feeling. 



After the main discussion was ended, several of the chiefs took 

 the opportunity of asking Captain Fitz Eoy many intelligent 

 questions on international customs and laws, relating to the treat- 

 ment of ships and foreigners. On some points, as soon as the 

 decision was made, the law was issued verbally on the spot. This 

 Tahitian parliament lasted for several hours; and when it was 

 over Captain Fitz Eoy invited Queen Pomarre to pay the Beagle 

 a visit. 



November 25tJi. In the evening four boats were sent for her 

 majesty ; the ship was dressed with flags, and the yards manned 

 on her coming on board. She was accompanied by most of the 

 chiefs. The behaviour of all was very proper: they begged for 

 nothing, and seemed much pleased with Captain Fitz Eoy's pre- 

 sents. The Queen is a large awkward woman, without any beauty, 



