1835.] TAHITIAN PARLIAMENT. 415 
give credit to a morality which they do not wish to practise, or 
to a religion which they undervalue, if not despise. 
Sunday, 22nd.—The harbour of Papiéte, where the queen 
resides, may be considered as the capital of the island: it is also 
the seat of government, and the chief resort of shipping. Cap- 
tain Fitz Roy took a party there this day to hear divine service, 
first in the Tahitian language, and afterwards in our own. Mr. 
Pritchard, the leading missionary in the island, performed the 
service. The chapel consisted of a large airy framework of 
wood ; and it was filled to excess by tidy, clean people, of all 
ages and both sexes. I was rather disappointed in the apparent 
degree of attention; but I believe my expectations were raised 
too high. At all events the appearance was quite equal to that 
ina country church in England. The singing of the hymns was 
decidedly very pleasing ; but the language from the pulpit, al- 
though fluently delivered, did not sound well: a constant repe- 
tition of words, like “‘ fata ta, mata mai,” rendered it monoto- 
nous. After English service, a party returned on foot to Ma- 
tavai. It was a pleasant walk, sometimes along the sea-beach 
and sometimes under the shade of the many beautiful trees. 
About two years ago, a small vessel under English colours 
was plundered by some of the inhabitants of the Low Islands, 
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 govern- 
ment demanded compensation; which was acceded to, and a sum 
of nearly three thousand dollars was agreed to be paid on the 
first of last September. The Commodore at Lima ordered Cap- 
tain Fitz Roy to inquire concerning 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 has received from the French; anda 
parliament was held to consider the question, at which all the 
principal chiefs of the island, and the queen, were assembled. I 
will not attempt to describe what took place, after the interesting 
account given by Captain Fitz Roy. The money, it appeared, 
had not been paid; perhaps the alleged reasons were rather equi- 
vocal ; but otherwise I cannot sufficiently express our genera] 
surprise at the extreme good sense, the reasoning powers, mode- 
