316 THE CRUISE OF THE 'GUBAQOA.' 



their mission is an offence against God. But that sucli a 

 persuasion can make men, not personally cruel, sanction 

 cruel acts, history teems with proofs. 



The moral to be cledticed is this : if this country thinks 

 it necessary to place the commanders of its ships of war 

 at the disposal of the missionaries in their feuds with 

 the natives, it should not only be careful in its selection of 

 its officers, but should also take care that they be provided 

 with the means of communicating, through reliable inter- 

 preters, with the natives themselves. In point of fact the 

 inspection of these islands should be made a special service, 

 not to be left to the random visits of sh ips of war com- 

 manded by officers who have not had an opportunity of 

 qualifying themselves for the task. For, assuredly, it is a 

 solemn duty incumbent on the Government of this country, 

 when stretching forth its arm whether for protection or 

 punishment, in these or other regions, that it should 

 use the most jealous caution in determining whom it ought 

 to punish, and whom to protect. 



There is reason for bearing this in mind. Mr. Inglis, in 

 his defence, after protesting against any palliation of 

 ' offences against missionaries on the score of ignorance,' 

 suggestively adds, ' the principle of blood for blood, life for 

 life, the le.v talionis, is a principle which every native under- 

 stands ; ' consequently, when their offences against life are 

 not punished on this principle, they are agreeably or other- 

 wise disappointed ; and their surprise, we are assured, is 

 mingled with contempt for those who having the oppor- 



