208 Letter XVI. 
With regard to the second method, whatever name the re- 
cruiters may call it by, there is no doubt but that the natives look 
upon it as buying and selling, inasmuch as the chiefs or relatives 
receive goods for the natives shipped. The chiefs, ’tis true, 
have no great influence over the people; but when they 
are tempted by the masters of labour vessels with goods which. 
they have a wish for, they have enough of power, at least, to 
make it plain to certain natives that they had better ship off 
when they are ordered, or it will be the worse for them. This 
is the case especially with young lads, who are comparatively 
easily managed. 
Then as to the deceptions which are practised on the natives, 
they are various, and often very successful. A native from one 
island will be shipped as agent on board the labour vessel, and 
going to a neighbouring island. will invite natives to come with 
him and visit his friends. Unsuspectingly, they go on board, 
and when the vessel has got its complement in this way, she 
sails off for the plantations. These practices are, I am 
afraid, more common than is generally imagined. 
I don’t think that more than fifteen per cent. at the very out- 
side are influenced by the motive which the upholders of this 
traffic declare to be the main one, viz., the desire of acquiring 
property. The remainder who are obtained fairly, are—frst, 
those who go from curiosity to see new places; second, those 
who accompany their chief when he goes; thirdly, those who 
are driven from their homes in war, and take shelter in the la- 
bour vessel; and fourthly, those who have been away before, 
and on their return, finding their property destroyed, and hav- 
ing been unsettled in their habits, ship off again for a foreign 
plantation. 
But now I hasten to the second division of the subject—the 
second great evil in connection with this traffic, viz., thé bad 
effects .which their sojourn in foreign lands has upon the natives. 
