58 
ELLICE’S AND KINGSMILL GROUP. 
island, and were unacquainted with the accident that had happened; 
but on being informed of it, they made every endeavour to explain 
that they did not belong to the guilty town. There are fourteen towns 
on the island, as follows, beginning at the north, viz.: 
TOWNS. CHIEFS. 
Muribama or 
Tenaiay, 
. 
. 
Tipera. 
Te*niaroku, 
Peia. 
Terikiai, 
Tarentoa. 
Eta, . 
Toarimaroa. 
Utiroa, 
Tama and Moleia. 
Tauma, 
Tebakoa. 
Kabura, 
Tepikau. 
Apamarikoro, 
Payau. 
Parepatu, 
Tentaki. 
Tewai, 
Aiiri. 
Tauyaia, 
Tauraura. 
Puari, 
Tapare. 
Nukutoru, . 
Pautua. 
Taku, 
Putiutoa. 
Basing the calculation for the population of these towns on that of 
Utiroa, which is estimated at from one thousand to one thousand two 
hundred, it would give this small strip of land as great, if not a greater 
number of inhabitants per square mile, than any portion of the globe 
that relies upon its own resources for subsistence. 
The four northern towns are apparently united together, and hostile 
to the southern one-s. Between Eta and Utiroa there is a considerable 
space uninhabited, which appears to form a line of separation between 
their territories. 
Captain Hudson made up his mind that there could be little doubt, 
after so much time had elapsed without intelligence, and taking into 
view the conduct of the Utiroans, that Anderson had been treache¬ 
rously murdered. He therefore believed it to be a paramount duty to 
punish them, not only for this perfidious act, but to secure their good 
conduct hereafter, in case of other vessels touching at this island. 
In consequence of this determination, the boats were prepared for 
landing, and Mr. Knox was ordered to anchor the tender in a position 
near the shore opposite the town, in order to protect them. 
The boat expedition, consisting of Lieutenants Emmons, Perry, and 
De Haven, Passed Midshipmen Davis and Harrison, and Mr. Free¬ 
man, the sailmaker, was put under charge of Mr. Walker, the first- 
lieutenant of the ship, and particular instructions given to him relative 
to his conduct. These will be found in Appendix III. Messrs. Peale, 
Hale, and Agate, accompanied the expedition. 
The expedition consisted of seven boats; in them were embarked 
