Nov. 1835. 



TAHITIAN PARLIAMENT. 



495 



About two years ago^ a small vessel under English colours 

 was plundered by the inhabitants of the Low Islands^ which 

 were then under the dominion of the Queen of Tahiti. It 

 was believed that the perpetrators were instigated to this 

 act by some indiscreet laws issued by her majesty. The 

 British government demanded compensation ; which was 

 acceded to^ and a sum of nearly three thousand dollars was 

 agreed to be paid on the first of last September. The com- 

 modore at Lima ordered Captain FitzRoy^ to inquire con- 

 cerning this debt^ and to demand satisfaction if it were not 

 paid. Captain FitzHoy accordingly requested an interview 

 with the queen : and a parliament was held to consider the 

 question ; at which all the principal chiefs of the island and 

 the queen were assembled. I will not attempt to describe 

 what took place^ after the interesting account given by 

 Captain FitzRoy. The money it appeared had not been 

 paid. Perhaps the alleged reasons for the failure were 

 rather equivocating : but otherwise I cannot sufficiently ex- 

 press our general surprise^ at the extreme good sense^ the 

 reasoning powers^ moderation, candour, and prompt resolu- 

 tion, which were displayed on all sides. I believe every one 

 of us left the meeting with a very different opinion of the 

 Tahitians, from that which we entertained when entering. 

 The chiefs and people resolved to subscribe and complete 

 the sum which was wanting : Captain FitzRoy urged that it 

 was hard that their private property should be sacrificed for 

 the crhnes of distant islanders. They replied, that they were 

 grateful for his consideration, but that Pomarre was their 

 Queen, and they were determined to help her in this her 

 difficulty. This resolution and its prompt execution (for a 

 book was opened early the next morning), made a perfect 

 conclusion to this very remarkable scene of loyalty and good 

 feeling. 



After the main discussion was ended, several of the chiefs 

 took the opportunity of asking Captain FitzRoy many intel- 

 ligent questions, concerning international customs and laws. 

 These related to the treatment of ships and foreigners. On 



