TAHITI. 



11 



The meeting being ready for business, I read from a paper a list of 

 the grievances complained of. This was translated sentence by 

 sentence by a Mr. Darling. When I had finished, Paofai again 

 appeared to make a reply. He began by apologizing for the absence 

 of the queen, caused by her approaching confinement, and then 

 requested a copy of the paper which had been read, in order that it 

 might be considered and answered. He stated that it included too 

 many points to be decided upon and answered at once, but promised 

 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 proposed 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 



