554< SEIZURE OF THE NEWTON. NoV. 



Valparaiso, under Chilian colours, though owned by British 

 subjects), has by some persons been supposed to have been 

 excited by Queen Pomare : but the following statement, from 

 Mr. Middleton, who was pilot on board the ship at the time, 

 gives a very different idea. 



The master of that vessel (named Clarke) had employed 

 some natives of Bow Island to dive for pearl oyster-shells on 

 his account ; he had agreed to pay them a certain quantity of 

 cloth, and to give them so much provision per month. Repeated 

 ill-treatment, and a miserable supply of provisions (at one time 

 only one cocoa-nut each day, without any thing else), induced 

 the natives to think of deserting him ; yet they were unwilhng 

 to lose the reward of their labours, which had been very severe. 

 One morning he had agreed to the pilot's earnest request that 

 the natives should have more food, and had ordered a biscuit 

 a-piece for them ! Soon after the pilot, who was charged with 

 the care of the natives, had delivered the biscuits, the master 

 came on deck, affected to deny his orders, snatched the biscuits 

 away from each of them, and threw them overboard ! Sullen and 

 fierce looks were exchanged ; and the pilot warned Mr. Clarke 

 that the natives would attack him, and take the vessel, if he 

 did not alter his harsh conduct : to which he replied, by defy- 

 ing half a hundred of them ! 



A few words from the pilot, in their own language, ap- 

 peased their resentment at the moment, and the brooding 

 storm passed over ; but in the course of that day, while 

 Middleton was away getting shells, the master beat a chief. 

 This was an unpardonable affront ; they took possession of the 

 vessel ; bound all the white people ; and carried them on shore. 



What extraordinary mildness among savages ! 



When the pilot returned with his cargo of shells, he saw 

 none of the crew ; and at first hesitated to approach. But the 

 natives seeing this, hailed him, saying, that they did not intend 

 to hurt any one ; that they were his friends ; and had touched 

 none of his things. This he found true. His own cabin was 

 shut up — untouched ; though every other place in the ship had 



