porter's journal. 



" Nieekees, one tribe. 



" Twelve tribes of the Typees, 1 Poheguahs, 2 Naegu- 

 ahs, 3 Attayiyas, 4 Cahunukohas, 5 Tomavaheenahs, 6 

 Tickeymahues, 7 Mooaeekas, 8 Atteshows, 9 Attestapwy- 

 hunahs, 10 Attehacoes, 11 Attetomohoj'S, 12 Attakakaha- 

 neuahs. 



" Most of the above have requested to be taken under 

 the protection of our flag, and all have been willing to 

 purchase, on any terms, a friendship which promises to 

 them so many advantages. 



" Influenced by considerations of humanity, which pro- 

 mise speedy civilization to a race of men who enjoy every 

 mental and bodily endowment which nature can bestow, 

 and which requires only art to perfect, as well as by views 

 of policy, which secure to my country a fruitful and popu- 

 lous island, possessing every advantage of security and 

 supplies for vessels, and which, of all others, is the most 

 happily situated, as respects climate and local position, I 

 do declare that I have, in the most solemn manner, under 

 the American flag displayed in Fort Madison, and in the 

 presence of numerous witnesses, taken possession of the 

 said island, called Madison's Island, for the use of the 

 United States, whereof I am a citizen ; and that the act 

 of taking possession was announced by a salute of seven- 

 teen guns from the artillery of Fort Madison, and return- 

 ed by the shipping in the harbour, which is hereafter to be 

 called Massachusetts Bay. — And that our claim to this 

 island may not be hereafter disputed, I have buried in a 

 t bottle, at the foot of the flagstaff in Fort Madison, a copy 

 of this instrument, together with several pieces of money, 

 the coin of the United States. 



" In witness whereof I have hereunto afiixed my signa- 

 ture, this 19th day of November, 1813. 



Signed, David Porter. 



" Witnesses present : 

 "Signed, John Downes, lieutenant U. S. N. 



James P. Wilmer, lieutenant U. S. N. 



S. D. M'Knight, acting lieutenant U. S. N. 



John G. Cowel, acting lieutenant U. S. N. 



David P. Adams, chaplain U. S. N. 



John M. Gamble, lieutenant U. S. marines. 



Richard K, Hoffman^ acting surgeon U. S. N« 



