TAHITI. 35 



some information in relation to the naval architecture of Tahiti. The 

 vessel was a small schooner, and the building of it was superintended 

 by a Yankee. The timber employed was that called by the natives 

 mape, (Inocarpus edulis,) which is said to be of excellent quality. 

 The supply of this wood is, however, limited. The poorou (Hibiscus 

 tiliaceus,) is also employed in ship-building, but it can only be pro- 

 cured of small size, and is therefore unfit for the structure of many 

 parts of a vessel. 



Several vessels of about one hundred and thirty tons burden have 

 already been built upon the island. These have been employed in the 

 trade to New South Wales, whither they carry sugar, cocoa-nut oil, 

 and arrow-root, and whence they bring back in return hardware, 

 cloths, calicoes, &c. In the ports of New South Wales they pay the 

 same duties and charges as British bottoms. 



The commercial resources of these islands are very limited ; most 

 of the vessels that visit Tahiti are those belonging to our whaling 

 fleet : these average less than a hundred annually. From them the 

 natives are enabled to dispose of some of the supplies they raise, and 

 in return obtain such articles as will promote their comfort and add 

 to their pleasure. The whale-ships, for the most part, have articles 

 of trade which they barter with the natives, so that little money is 

 required to carry on their business. The natives, particularly the 

 chiefs, are however well acquainted with the value of money. An esti- 

 mate has been made that each of these vessels introduces goods into the 

 islands to the amount of $500 each, making a total amount of $50,000 ; 

 but I very much question whether it can reach this extent; and if this 

 amount be sold, it must include the profits : half the sum, I should 

 think, was a large estimate. 



The few other vessels that visit the islands bring little cargo ; if 

 two arrive at the same time, they destroy each other's ventures by 

 glutting the markets. 



The pearl-shell fishery of the Paumotu Group centres here. I was 

 told it w 7 as principally in the hands of the French consul. For a few 

 years before our arrival, viz., from 1832 to '38, it had been very pro- 

 ductive. The amount obtained was about nine hundred tons, which 

 was estimated to be valued at $45,000 to $50,000 ; the greater part of 

 this was sent to France. Of the agricultural products they have little 

 to dispose of as yet; neither is the island susceptible of any very 

 extended operations, to induce vessels to visit it exclusively for its 

 trade or productions. The three chief articles of production are 

 sugar, cocoa-nut oil, and arrow-root. The following statement was 

 furnished me of the quantities produced. 



