SAMOAN GROUP. 



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The holding-ground is good, being mud and sand. Wood and water 

 are of the best kinds, and all provisions can be had, though at times 

 it is very difficult to trade with the natives, for they frequently come 

 with the intention of obtaining a certain article which they have 

 taken a fancy to, and will for no consideration exchange for another, 

 although it may be ten times more valuable ; for men-of-war I would 

 recommend the establishing of a trading-post or market on shore, 

 under a proper officer, and that he should make all the purchases for 

 the ship's crew ; in this way much difficulty is prevented, and the 

 natives obtain a fair valuation for their products, and all are satisfied. 



Pago-pago is one of the best regulated places in Polynesia. The 

 chief, Pomare, has very great influence among his people, and bears a 

 high character for morals, as well as friendliness towards the whites. 

 The products of the island are brought from all parts of it to Pago- 

 pago, when there are vessels lying there. No better port could be 

 found for repairs to be made in or to recruit a crew. From the 

 shape of the harbor, and lying as it does among hills, there is a con- 

 stant breeze, both by day and night, moderating the heat of the cli- 

 mate, and very much tending to obviate that lassitude which the 

 tropical climate produces on a crew. 



This harbor has a shore-reef of from 500 to 1000 feet in width, which 

 is for the most part dry at low water ; the shore in places is sandy, 

 affording ample room for the villages and groves of cocoanut palms 

 and other trees. Most of the hills are covered with forest and under- 

 growth. Fish are abundant and pigeons in numbers. 



It will be necessary to offer a few remarks before leaving this har- 

 bor relative to the egress, which there is much difficulty and some 

 danger in effecting, as it is necessary to beat out, with the wind at 

 times light and flawy, especially at the entrance, where the water is 

 so deep as not to admit of anchoring in case of missing stays on either 

 tack, by which a vessel would be set on shore. Although the distance 

 is short, it is a dead beat, and unless a vessel works remarkably well, 

 it will require a long time to accomplish, and is attended with danger. 

 It would seem of little consequence in a harbor so confined and land- 

 locked to regard the tides ; it becomes, however, of great consequence 

 to take advantage of them. When getting under way, it is better to 

 wait till the ebb has made ; it should never be done on the flood. I 

 would farther observe, that the reef near the Tower ought not to be 

 approached too close, or to leave any doubt that there is room to stay. 



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