12 TAHITI. 



that the matter should be examined, and the business concluded as 

 speedily as possible. 



This request was so reasonable that I at once assented to it. I 

 thought the pi'oposed mode far better, and it was more agreeable to 

 me than a public discussion would have been, in which confusion 

 could hardly be avoided. I therefore broke up the meeting, after 

 stating that I should look for a satisfactory reply on my coming in 

 the Vincennes to Papieti. 



Many of the chiefs seemed disposed to act correctly and do justice, 

 at least they repeatedly expressed their good intentions It was also 

 evident to me, that their minds were greatly relieved by the mode- 

 ration of the demands, for they had feared that these were to be of 

 some extraordinary kind, and might perhaps include a claim for 

 heavy damages. Indeed, since the large contribution levied on this 

 island by the French, the government has entertained apprehensions, 

 and dreads the arrival of men-of-war. These fears are taken advan- 

 tage of by many ill-disposed residents, who omit no opportunity to 

 practise upon their alarms, and to threaten them with foreign intei'- 

 ference. 



Much complaint has been made of the influence which the mission- 

 aries, and Mr. Pritchard in particular, exercise over the government 

 of Tahiti. The}' have, unquestionably, great influence; but I am 

 satisfied that they are justly entitled to it. Indeed I cannot but 

 consider it as part of their duty, nay, the great object of their mission, 

 to acquire and exercise a salutary control over their converts, both of 

 high and low degree. My own observations satisfied me that this 

 control is exerted solely for the purpose of fulfilling the laudable 

 object for which they were sent. It is possible that their views of the 

 proper method of instructing an ignorant people are not at all times, 

 or in every respect, the most enlightened ; but no one can with 

 propriety question their pious zeal, or the honesty of their intentions. 

 We may perhaps lament their intolerance towards other sects, but no 

 one can visit the island without perceiving on every side the most 

 positive evidence of the great benefits they have already bestowed, 

 and are daily conferring upon the inhabitants. 



All this good has been done in the face of many and great diffi- 

 culties. The most serious of these is the evil influence of a large 

 portion of the other foreign residents. Although among these are 

 some who are truly respectable, the majority is made up of runaways 



