16 TONGATABOO. 
They have great quantities of tapa cloth, in a thin sort of which 
they use to roll themselves at night, as a security against the musqui- 
‘toes, with which their island abounds. The new town is beautifully 
situated in a bread-fruit and cocoa-nut grove, which gives it perpetual 
shade, whilst it is sufficiently open to admit the cool breeze. 
On the 26th, agreeably to my engagement, I moved the ship to the 
island of Pangai-Moutu, in order to be near the place of meeting of the 
conference between the two belligerent parties, and to protect both 
from the treachery they seemed mutually to fear. Pangai-Moutu is 
about three and a half miles from Nukualofa, and is now considered as 
neutral ground; the anchorage is a good and safe one. Our messen- 
ger, Anne Eliza Tubou, returned, and gave me assurances that the 
heathen were willing to meet in conference; that they desired peace, 
and to be left in the quiet enjoyment of their land and their gods, and’ 
did not wish to interfere or have any thing to do with the new religion. 
They again asked me, if they came, would I protect them fully? In 
reply to this, I sent the strongest assurances of protection to them. 
My hopes, however, of producing a peace and reconciliation among 
them, began to decline; for it was evident that King George and his 
advisers, and, indeed, the whole Christian party, seemed to be desirous 
of continuing the war, either to force the heathen to become Chris- 
tians, or to carry it on to extermination, which the number of their 
warriors made them believe they had the power to effect. I felt, in 
addition, that the missionaries were thwarting my exertions by per- 
mitting warlike preparations during the pending of the negotiations. 
On the 28th, our boat returned from Moa, bringing an old blind 
chief, called Mufa. The wife of Faatu came in place of her husband, 
accompanied by four or five lesser chiefs, who had been deputed to 
attend the council. The wife of Faatu is a large fat woman. He 
himself was willing to attend, but his chiefs and people interfered and 
prevented him, as he was coming to the boat, fearing lest he should be 
detained asa hostage; and they made such an outcry (according to 
the officer) against it, that he was obliged to yield. 
Mufa is the grandfather of Taufaahau, and was supposed would 
have some influence with him. From every thing we saw, we became 
satisfied that the heathen were desirous of making peace, at least the 
people of Moa. I gave orders to provide them with every thing for 
their comfort, giving them full assurance of my protection, and their 
safe return; and finding them ill at ease on board ship, I ordered a 
tent to be pitched on shore for their accommodation, and had them 
supplied with rice and molasses, as well as the food they are in the 
habit of eating, consisting of yams, taro, &c. 
