TONGATABOO. 13 



t 



evidently more inclined to have it continue than desirous that it 

 should be put a stop to ; viewing it, in fact, as a means of propagating 

 the gospel. I regretted to hear such sentiments, and had little hope, 

 after becoming aware of them, of being instrumental in bringing 

 about a peace, when such unchristian views existed where it was least 

 to be expected. 



On consultation, Eliza Anne Tubou was- selected as the most 

 proper messenger of peace that could be sent, and the only one 

 indeed who could go with safety. She is the daughter of Faatu, 

 the heathen chief of Moa, one of the largest heathen fortresses ; is 

 married to a chief of the Christian party ; is a fine intelligent-looking 

 woman, with good sense and much good feeling, and entered warmly 

 into the arrangements. She was despatched with a written proposal 

 for the conference, and was to return the next day. She is called the 

 sacred daughter, and goes where she likes without being molested. 



After the council was over, I went with Mr. Tucker to the mis- 

 sionary houses, passing through the town (if so it may be called), 

 composed entirely of reed huts, of small dimensions, and enclosed 

 with wicker-work fences. The missionary houses are on the out- 

 skirts ; the whole contains about six hundred houses ; and on looking 

 into a few, they did not appear to be very cleanly. The houses are 

 built after the fashion of the Samoans, only the sides are of wicker- 

 work, made of the slender sugar-cane ; the dwellings of the missiona- 

 ries are very like those of the better sort, and are within an enclosure ; 

 and the only difference I observed was, that they had glazed windows ; 

 like the others, they had no floors, and the earth was covered with 

 mats. 



Mrs. Tucker, whom we found exceedingly intelligent, gave us a 

 kind welcome. She has for some time been the principal instruc- 

 tress of both old and young : I can myself vouch for the unexpected 

 proficiency of some of her scholars in speaking English. To her 

 and her husband I feel much indebted for their answers to the 

 many inquiries respecting the state of things in the island, — the 

 employments and character of the natives, their wars, manners, and 

 customs. They appeared indefatigable in their exertions for what 

 they considered the good of the natives; among other things, they 

 have endeavoured to introduce a variety of vegetables and fruits : cab- 

 bages, turnips, and mustard were seen ; among the fruits, were pine- 

 apples and custard-apples, which thrive well; oranges have been 

 introduced, but do not succeed, because they are injured by an insect, 



