TONGATABOO. 41 



Captain Croker, of H. B. M. sloop Favourite, he warmly interested 

 himself in the advancement of the missionary cause, and determined 

 to engage in negotiations with the heathen ; but finding that many 

 difficulties impeded his plans, he unfortunately determined to bring 

 matters at once to an issue, and demanded that the terms he dictated 

 should be acceded to by the heathen within a few hours. To enforce 

 his demand, he landed a large part of his crew, with officers, and 

 proceeded to the fortress of Bea; only an hour was given its de- 

 fenders to decide. I am informed that it has since been understood 

 that if a longer time had been granted, they would have acceded to 

 his demand. He was punctual to his time, and on the chiefs refusing 

 to surrender, he made an attack upon the fortress. On his advancing 

 near the gate, he with many of his officers and men were shot down ; 

 the survivors suffered a total defeat, and were obliged to retreat forth- 

 with. The heathen now became the assailants, and the Christian 

 party, together with the missionaries, were forced to embark, and 

 afterwards landed at Vavao ; King George was obliged to retire, and 

 Nukualofa was invested by the heathen. Thus ended this religious 

 war, and I cannot but believe that the precipitate zeal of the mis- 

 sionaries was the cause of so disastrous a result. That the heathen 

 were well disposed to make peace, I am well assured ; a little patience 

 and forbearance, and at the same time encouraging intercourse with 

 their towns and setting them a good example, would have gradually 

 and surely brought about the desired results ; while to force them to 

 become converts, was a mode of proceeding calculated only to excite 

 their enmity and opposition. 



The night previous to our sailing, May 3d, two of the Feejee 

 women who had been smuggled from Vavao by Captain Wilson, 

 paddled off in a canoe to the Peacock, entreating to be received on 

 board and conveyed to their own country, and with the view of 

 securing their object, it was found they had thrown away their 

 paddles. The request was denied, and Captain Hudson had new 

 ones at once made for them ; they were compelled to enter their 

 canoe again, and paddled off. They then visited the tender Flying- 

 Fish, and in order to prevent their being turned off in the same way, 

 they set their canoe adrift. As it was late at night, they were 

 retained on board, and sent to the Vincennes early in the morning. 

 Well understanding, from the interview I had with King George in 

 relation to the Currency Lass, his feelings on the subject, (for the 

 abduction of these very women from the island of Vavao had been 



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