BOW DITCH ISLAND. 
25 
that the chiefs of Sanapu had enticed away and secreted two of the 
men, intending them for pilots of that harbour after the Peacock should 
depart, and had promised to protect them. A messenger was at once 
despatched across the island by Pea, the chief of Apia, demanding the 
two deserters from the Sanapu chiefs; at the same time assuring them 
that if the men were not immediately delivered up, the Peacock would 
be removed to their harbour, and their town destroyed. This had the 
desired effect, and the deserters were brought back to the ship by the 
chiefs of Sanapu. 
Captain Hudson, after rebuking the chiefs for the part they had taken 
in the transaction, and giving them some advice in regard to their 
future intercourse with the whites, paid them the reward Lieutenant 
Perry had offered for the apprehension of the deserters. 
On the 21st, Captain Hudson hearing that the noted Sangapolutale, 
principal chief of the towns of Saluafata, Fusi, and Salelese, who had 
protected and refused to give up the murderer of Gideon Smith, Tagi, 
before mentioned, was at one of the towns near by on a visit, deter¬ 
mined, if possible, to surprise and take him prisoner, to be held until 
such time as the murderer were given up. For this purpose he visited 
the town before daylight of the 22d, with a few officers and men, but 
without success. 
Previous tu iliis lime, Captain Hudson had had intercourse with this 
chief through our consul, Mr. Williams; and had demanded of him the 
punishment or delivery of the murderer, Tagi. In the course of the 
communications, Sangapolutale acknowledged that the murderer ought 
to be punished or given up; said he once wanted to kill him himself ; 
but being a petty chief, he was backed and protected by the chiefs and 
the people of the three towns before named, who were promised, in 
case of necessity, assistance from some of the neighbouring chiefs, as 
well as others on the opposite side of the island. He further said, that 
he was desirous of giving him up, a few months before, to the com¬ 
mander of the Porpoise. It was distinctly stated to Sangapolutale, that 
the murderer must be either punished or given up, in conformity to the 
regulations adopted in their fono, composed of all the principal chiefs in 
the island, and that if neither of these stipulations were complied with, 
Captain Hudson would be compelled to employ the force under him in 
burning the towns that concealed and protected the murderer, and set 
their own laws and us at defiance. 
Three days were given him from the time of the interview, to comply 
with the demand. He promised to do what he could, but he was 
fearful of the result, as his people wanted to fight, and had been 
promised aid from many quarters. 
vol. v. u 4 
