4 



" Secondly, I am desirous that you should have somci 

 relaxation and amusennent after being so long at sea, as 

 from your late good conduct you deserve it : 



" We are going among a people much addicted to thie- 

 ving, treacherous in their proceedings, whose conduct is 

 governed only by fear, and regulated by views to their 

 interest. We must put nothing in their power, be ever 

 on our guard, and prevent, by every means that can be 

 used, disputes and difficulties with them ; we must treat 

 them with kindness, but never trust them, and be most 

 vigilant where there is the greatest appearance of friend- 

 ship. Let the fate of the many who have been cut off 

 by the savages of the South Sea islands be a useful warn- 

 ing to us : 



It will recjuirejmuch discretion and good management 

 to keep up a friendly intercourse with them ; and in the 

 regulations that I shall lay down for this object, I shall 

 expect the hearty ^concurrence of every person under my 

 command : 



" Disputes are most likely to arise from traffic with 

 them. To prevent them, I shall appoint a vessel for the 

 express purpose of trading, and shall select an officer and 

 four men to conduct all exchanges. Every other person 

 is positively forbid to traffic with the natives, except 

 through the persons so selected to conduct the trade : 



" No canoes or male natives will be permitted to come 

 along side the Essex, or any other vessel, except the tra- 

 ding ship, on any account, unless it may be the chiefs 

 whom 1 may designate. And if every person exerts him- 

 self to carry on the work of the ship, as well as to enforce 

 the above regulations, and such others as I may from time 

 to time adopt, I shall allow you time to amuse yourselves, 

 on shore. But this indulgence shall cease the moment I 

 discover any relaxation in vigilance or industry. 



Signed P. Pokter. 



U. S, Frigate Essex, Ocioher, 1813. 



