THE VOYAGE OF THE BEAGLE 439 



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 compensation ; which was ac- 

 ceded to, and the sum of nearly three thousand dollars was 

 agreed to be paid on the first of last September. The Com- 

 modore at Lima ordered Captain Fitz Roy to inquire con- 

 cerning this debt, and to demand satisfaction if it were not 

 paid. Captain Fitz Roy accordingly requested an interview 

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

 she had 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 at- 

 tempt to describe what took place, after the interesting ac- 

 count 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 re- 

 solved to subscribe and complete the sum which was want- 

 ing; Captain Fitz Roy urged that it was hard that their pri- 

 vate property should be sacrificed for the crimes of distant 

 islanders. They replied, that they were grateful for his con- 

 sideration, but that Pomarre was their Queen, and that they 

 were determined to help her in this her difficulty. This reso- 

 lution and its prompt execution, 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 Roy many in- 

 telligent questions on international customs and laws, relat- 

 ing to the treatment 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 Roy in- 

 vited Queen Pomarre to pay the Beagle a visit. 



November 2$th. In the evening four boats were sent for 



