Early History of Tahiti. 145 



narrative subsequently given to tlic world by our greatest navi- 

 gator, Cook. 



In the following year (1768), M. de Bougainville, of the French 

 frigate Boiidense, arrived independently at Tahiti, and, being in 

 ignorance of the priority of Spanish and English explorers, gave 

 to the island its third name, " Nouvelle Cythere." 



On the 1 2th of April, 1769, the expedition sent out from 

 England under the command of Captain Cook, to observe the 

 transit of Venus, arrived at Tahiti, and anchored at Matavai Bay. 

 To protect the astronomers from the intrusion of the natives, a 

 small fort was erected on the north shore of the bay, and from 

 this position the transit was observed on the 3rd of June of the 

 same year. 



Through a misconception of the native pronunciation, the name 

 of the island, " Otaheitc," was now brought into general use by 

 Cook ; and although it was clearly pointed out by Ellis — the 

 missionary who wrote in 1832 — that Tahiti was really the native 

 name, the term "Otaheitc," erroneously assigned by Cook, remained 

 in use for many years subsequent to the time of Ellis. 



About the beginning of the present century the English mis- 

 sionaries, who had previously established themselves in Western 

 Polynesia, extended their labours to Tahiti, where they met with 

 great success in their efforts to Christianize the inhabitants. They 

 retained their influence over the natives until the year 1838, 

 when two French Catholic missionaries arrived at Tahiti, with the 

 intention of preaching the doctrines of their Church. They were 

 not, however, allowed to obtain a footing on the island, but were 

 forcibly expelled. They accordingly sought the protection of the 

 French admiral, Du Petit Thouars, then commanding the frigate 

 La Venus in the Pacific, and in the year 1842 he demanded 

 satisfaction in the name of his government; and on Queen Pomare 

 of Tahiti refusing to accede to his demand, he declared war 

 against the Tahitians. The islanders were compelled to submit 

 to the superior power of the French ; and on coming to terms 



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