PAUMOTU GROUP. 357 
passed to Manhii and Ahii, round the north side of Nairsa, or Dean's 
Island, to Tahiti. 
Little appears to be known of the history of the Paumotu Islands, 
or their inhabitants. At Tahiti I obtained some information from 
one who had been much among the group, and believe that it is as 
authentic as can be obtained, and may be relied on. 
The Island of Anaa, or Chain Island, has been the principal seat 
of power, the natives of which having frequently waged war on the 
others, and succeeded in conquering all to the west of Hau or Bow 
Island, and have frequently fought with it. 
In the reign of the first Pomare, under Tomatiti, they even 
attempted the conquest of Tahiti, and succeeded in overcoming the 
small peninsula of Taiarabu. The story is, that they were about to 
continue their attack on the larger island, when Tomatiti received a 
written letter from Pomare, which caused hostilities to be suspended ; 
and after further negotiation, finally led to Tomatiti's retiring from 
the island with a large present of hogs, tapa, &c. Notwithstanding 
this, the Chain Islanders remained nominally under the government 
of Tahiti, and now acknowledge their dependence on it. 
Anaa, or Chain Island, is one of the smallest, yet it is the most 
thickly peopled island of the whole group. It is said to contain five 
thousand inhabitants, which large number is accounted for by the 
conquest of the other islands, and taking their inhabitants off as cap- 
tives. In the list of the islands and their population, it will be seen 
how few remain on the other islands in comparison with this number. 
The whole island is one cocoa-nut grove, and the principal food is 
fish and cocoa-nuts. The former are caught in large quantities in 
the lagoon. A great change has been brought about in the disposi- 
tion of these islanders within the last twenty-five years, during which 
the Tahitian missionaries have been established at Anaa. Before 
this period, the inhabitants were cannibals. Since the residence of 
the missionaries, they have imbibed better tastes ; and the missionary 
influence has made them more peaceful. This change was first 
evinced by the treatment of their captives, whom they allowed to 
return, if they chose, to their own island ; but very many of them 
had married at Anaa, and became permanent residents there, and few 
have taken advantage of the permission to return. Notwithstanding 
the numerous population, they are said to have an abundance of food. 
The people of Anaa, still consider the inhabitants of the eastern 
islands as cannibals ; but their statement in this respect is little to be 
vol. i. 90 
