TO THE COAST OF AMERICA. IjJ 



were fpectators of this explofion, the report was im- 

 mediately fpread of the force and the exactitude of 

 what they termed our arrows. After thefe and many 

 other phenomena which I pafs over, incomprehenfrble, 

 marvellous and at the fame time terrible to them, the 

 iflanders defifted from harraffing us with their attempts 

 to drive us away. I now took advantage of their 

 amazement to reprefent to them that I only wifhed to 

 live in amity, and not to be at war with them ; for, if 

 I had any other intention, they would not be able to 

 avoid the force of my arms ; th#t our mofh gracious 

 monarch likewife only wifhed to protect them, and to 

 enable them to lead a life of fecurity and repofe, 

 Thefe and other proofs of our friendfhip, together 

 with forne trifling prefents, at length got the better of 

 their ftubborn tempers, and pacified their minds. I 

 then endeavoured, by my interpreter, to convey to 

 them proper fentiments of the tranquillity, greatnefs, 

 power, and beauty, of the ruffian empire, as well as 

 the benignity of our emprefs. The more I now per- 

 ceiyed that the fame of thefe and the curiotity after 

 fuch accounts was increafing every moment ; fo much 

 the more I laboured to convince them of it, one while 

 by difplaying to them fuch objects, which, but for 

 our admonitions, they would have immediately revered 

 as divine ; at others by leading them gradually to the 

 knowledge of the Hate of ignorance in which they were, 

 and thus gained their good will to fo high a degree, that 

 at length tjiey all called me their father ; and arnidft 

 numerous tokens of their confidence, refigned them- 

 fejves entirely t-p my guidance and direction,. The 

 quick completion of our houfes they held for a miracle, 

 7 as 



