284 MALOLO, 
The above are all the important facts relative to this tragical affair, 
both to the natives and ourselves. I feel little disposed to cast blame 
any where, but it must be apparent that if the precautions directed in 
the orders given for the conduct of the officers on boat duty had been 
adhered to, this misfortune would not have occurred. It is therefore 
to be regretted, that a strict regard had not been paid to these orders, 
and that care and watchfulness to preserve and keep all on their guard 
had not been constantly manifested. It is difficult to imagine how 
some of the officers should, in spite of all warnings, have indulged an 
over-confidence in the peaceable disposition and good intentions of the 
natives; and it is still more surprising that this should have been the 
case with Lieutenant Alden, who had charge of the party for the time 
being, and who had frequently expressed himself satisfied, and had also 
warned others, that the natives of Malolo were not to be trusted. This 
opinion was not adopted by him without good grounds; for on his 
former visit, about six weeks before, they had shown a disposition to 
cut off the launch and first cutter, of which he was then in charge. 
There was no absolute necessity for obtaining provisions, and still less 
for his allowing Lieutenant Underwood to remain an hour and a half 
on shore, chaffering for two or three pigs, when they knew the tender 
was in sight, and that she would reach the place of rendezvous before 
night. 
The whole of this afflicting tragedy I cannot but believe grew out 
of a want of proper care and watchfulness over the hostage, after he 
had shown a disposition to escape, and a heedlessness that it is impos- 
sible to look at without astonishment. The hostage certainly would 
never have attempted to escape, had there been a proper guard kept 
over him while in the boat; and from the evidence of all those who 
were on shore, it appears certain that no disturbance took place until 
the escape was made. 
I am well aware, that all the officers and men present were not at 
the time satisfied with the punishment inflicted. Many of them even 
thought that all in any way concerned in the murder ought to have 
been put to death. 
But I felt then as I do now, that the punishment was sufficient and 
effectual, while it was accompanied, as far as it could be, with mercy. 
Some, no doubt, will look upon it as unnecessarily severe ; but if they 
duly considered the wanton murders that have been committed on the 
whites in this group of islands, merely to gratify the desire of plunder 
or the horrid appetite for cannibal repasts, they would scarcely think 
the punishment too severe. 
The warriors of this island were looked upon as a nest of pirates. 
