FORTER's JOURiNAL. 



17 



of vexation, refused to answer their inquiries, and direct- 

 ed them to leave the ship. Several canoes had come 

 out toward us ; but on the whites joining them, they all 

 paddled to the shore ; and on their reaching the beach, 

 considerable numbers of the natives assembled around 

 them, armed with spears and clubs, and I felt somewhat 

 apprehensive that I had committed an error, in not treat- 

 ing the strangers with more urbanity. As I was desirous 

 of estabhshing, with the natives, the most friendly inter- 

 course, I was fearful my intentions might be frustrated by 

 their representations, and the unfavourable impressions 

 they might be enabled to make on their minds. To cor- 

 rect my error as soon as possible, if I had committed any. 

 I directed four boats to be manned and armed, and with 

 a party of marines proceeded for the shore. The beach 

 was abandoned at our approach ; but on landing, I was 

 met by one of the persons who had come olT in the boat. 

 To my great astonishment, I discovered him to be a mid- 

 shipman of the United States navy, named John M. 

 Maury, who had left the United States on furlough, with 

 lieutenant Lewis, for Canton, in the ship Pennsylvania 

 Packet ; from which place he sailed for this island, to 

 procure sandal wood. Here he remained several months 5 

 and after completing his cargo, sailed for Canton, leaving 

 Mr. Maury with a party, and the remainder of his stock 

 of trade, to collect a cargo for him against his return. He 

 had been expected in about two months ; but the news of 

 the war, of which we brought the first accounts here, de- 

 stroyed all expectations of again seeing him ; and as Mr. 

 Maury and his party saw no other prospect of getting 

 away, he requested me to take them on board. To this 

 1 consented, provided lieutenant Lewis should not return 

 before my departure. The man before spoken' of, who 

 came off to the ship naked, was named Wilson, an English- 

 man by birth. He had been for many years among the 

 group of Marquesas, as well as the islands of Washing- 

 ton's Group. He spoke their language with the same 

 facility as his own, and had become in every respect, ex- 

 cept in colour, an Indian. The looks of Wilson bad 

 strongly prejudiced me against him ; but I soon discovered 

 him to be an inofTensive, honest, good-hearted fellow, 

 well disposed to render every service in bis power, and 



VOT,. 31, 3 



