55^ 



GENEROSITY OF OTAHEITANS. 



Nov. 



to be well treated by a powerful chief, into whose hands a gale 

 of wind, or warfare throws them, is a rare occurrence. 



The Paamuto Isles are rich in pearl oysters. Pomare, or her 

 relations, desired to monopolize the trade. Unjustifiable steps 

 were taken, actuated, it is said, by her or by these relations ; 

 and hence this affair. 



They soon decided to pay the debt at once. Thirty-six tons 

 of pearl oyster-shells, belonging to Pomare, and then lying at 

 Papiete, were to form part of the equivalent ; the remainder 

 was to be collected among the queen's friends. Taati left his 

 place near her, went into the midst of the assembly, and 

 harangued the people in a forcible though humorous manner, 

 in order to stimulate them to subscribe for the queen. After 

 he had done speaking, I requested Mr. Pritchard to state 

 strongly that the innocent natives of Otaheite ought not to 

 suffer for the misdeeds of the Low Islanders. The shells 

 which had come from those ill-conducted people, might well be 

 given as part of the payment ; but the queen ought to procure 

 the rest from them, and not from her innocent and deserving 

 subjects. A document, expressing her intention to pay the 

 remaining sum within a stated time, signed by herself and by 

 two chiefs, with a certainty that the property would be obtained 

 from the Low Islanders, would be more satisfactory than im- 

 mediate payment, if effected by distressing her Otaheitan 

 subjects, who were in no way to blame. 



Taati replied, " The honour of the queen is our honour. We 

 will share her difficulties. Her friends prefer assisting her in 

 clearing off this debt, to leaving her conduct exposed to cen- 

 sure. We have determined to unite in her cause, and endeavour 

 to pay all before the departure of the man-of-war."" 



It was easy to see that the other principal chiefs had no 

 doubt of the propriety of the demand ; and that they thought 

 the queen and her relations ought to bear the consequences of 

 their own conduct. Taati, who is related to her, exerted himself 

 far more than Utaame, Hitote, or any of the others. This part 

 of the business was then settled by their agreeing to give 

 the shells already collected, such sums of money as her friends 



