254 A MISSION TO VITI. 
different to the wishes and orders of his chief. When 
King George visited Fiji, it was in the ‘ John Wesley,’ 
and it was on board of that vessel the arrangement rela- 
lative to the subjugation of Kaba was concluded. Fi- 
nally, nothing was said by the missionaries whilst Maafu ” 
achieved his conquest, and it was only after great atro- 
cities had been committed that a letter of remonstrance 
was addressed to him.* 
Yet, notwithstanding these facts, occasionally urged 
with great vehemence, I dismiss, as utterly unfounded, 
the idea that the missionaries concocted the whole plan 
with the Tonguese. A calm review of all the informa- 
tion on hand, rather leads to the conclusion that Maafu 
was leading the missionaries to believe that he was ad- 
vancing their interest, when indeed he only abused their 
* The following is a copy of a letter sent to Maafu, extracted from the 
records of the Wesleyan Missionary Society at Sydney, by the Rev. J. 
Eggleston :— 
“There is something, Sir, which I wish to tell you, 7.e. our hatred of 
the deed performed at Nabekavu amongst the people of Natakala. It was 
of no use whatever. If it was not done by your orders, please inform me, 
that I may defend your character. There is another subject which I de- 
sire also to make known. It is extensively reported that this war is the 
work of the missionaries. If this be true, tell me now which of us has 
sanctioned the hostile proceedings. Was itme, or whom? Please inform 
me, for it will be published prejudicially all over the world. If we are 
belied, be kind enough to vindicate us in your letter to me. Tell your 
people also to announce you (as the author), and not to announce us. I do 
not wish to prevent your approach to Ulumatua and Wai Nunu. Please 
yourself about this; for yours is its goodness, and yours is its evil. But 
command your warriors to announce you; do not let them announce us, as 
we do not sanction it in the least. It is also rumoured that it is our ad- 
vice that Mara, Ritova, Tui Levuka, and another be put to death. If you 
seize these, do not deliver them to be killed, lest it be said that it is by our 
advice. We have not come to make known a message of death; our work 
allotted to us is preaching. But if a man disturb the country, let his chief 
bring him to a trial.—30¢h July, 1859.” 
[Ihave not seen tke answer to this letter, if there was one.—B. 8.] 
