HONOLULU, 377 
Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold says that it is without any harbour 
or protection for vessels. There are several small villages around it, 
but no town on the east side, with the exception of a village under 
Natava Peak, where there is the appearance of a stream of water from 
the mountains. The land is much broken into volcanic peaks. The 
bay extends to the southwest twenty miles, and is seven miles wide. 
The bay, which should be more properly called a gulf, affords no 
inducements for commerce, or for vessels to venture in; there is no 
bottom except with great length of line, and where anchorage exists 
it is very near the shore. On the west side of the bay are many pro- 
jecting reefs. 
From this bay they passed round the north end of Rambe, examined 
its reefs, and then stood for Somu-somu, where they found the people 
preparing for a grand feast, in consequence of the breaking out of the 
war with Vuna. The old king was found, as I had frequently seen 
him, braiding his sennit, and surrounded by his wives. 
Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold had communication with the 
king and chiefs respecting the missionaries, and urged upon them the 
necessity of providing a suitable place for them. Tui IIla-illa was for 
a long time unwilling to make any promises, and wished to procrasti- 
nate. He professed great love for the missionaries ; but his character 
being well understood, little reliance was placed in his promises. 
Finding, however, that Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold was not 
to be deceived, he at last consented to assign to the missionaries a 
piece of land in the suburbs of the town, where they might build a 
dwelling. 
Tui Illa-illa was very desirous of obtaining one of our “ fiery spirits” 
(rockets), with which he believed he could put an end at once to the 
Vuna war; and the hope of obtaining one was no doubt a great in- 
ducement to his yielding his consent to giving the land so freely to the 
missionaries, for it is well-known he bears them no good will. He 
offered one hundred pigs for a single rocket, and enforced his request 
by kissing the hands of Lieutenant-Commandant Ringgold with great 
eagerness. He did not, however, succeed in procuring the object of 
his wishes. 
During the stay of the Porpoise at Somu- somu, the boats, under 
Lieutenant Maury and Mr. Knox, were despatched to survey the bay 
of Matapuen, on the opposite side of the straits, which service they 
completed, and reported its having a good and safe anchorage. After 
their return, preparations were made for departure. 
At Somu-somu they found the celebrated Ambau chief, Wainue, 
cousin to Seru, with whom he had quarrelled, and had fled to Somu- 
VOL. III. 48 
