'218 
VOYAGE TO THE 
CHAP, of government, with the transactions of this day, we cannot but con- 
^ gratulate the people on the introduction of the present penal code, 
April, and acknowledge that it is one of the greatest temporal blessings 
they have derived from the introduction of Christianity, At the same 
time it is just to observe, that had a similar depredation been com- 
mitted under those circumstances, there is every reason to believe from 
former experience, that the real offender would have been detected, 
and the property restored. 
On the 3d April the young king landed at Otaheite from Eimeo, 
where he was received Muth the most enthusiastic shouts of his sub- 
jects, who were assembled in great numbers on the beach to welcome 
his arrival. The following day he paid a visit to the ship, attended by 
the queen, a numerous retinue, and Mr. Pritchard, the principal mis- 
sionary upon the island. I saluted the king on the occasion with nine 
guns, much to the delight of his subjects; and presented him with the 
fowling-piece which was sent out by the government for that purpose. 
The stock was inlaid with silver, and the case handsomely lined, and 
fitted up in a manner which made a deep impression on the minds of 
the Otaheitans, who are extremely fond of display, and who expressed 
their approbation by repeated exclamations of “ My-tie ! mia my-tie 
Pretannee!” as each article was exhibited. The king was a well- 
behaved boy, of slender make, uniting with the rudiments of an Eu- 
ropean education much native shrewdness ; and the chiefs were con- 
siderably interested in him, as they considered his education would 
give him advantages over his predecessors ; and his succession to the 
throne would remove the reins of government from the hands of the 
present possessor, whose measures were not always the most disin- 
terested or beneficial to her country ; and who, in consequence of her 
influence with the Boo-ratiras, the most powerful body of men upon the 
island, often carried her plans into execution in spite of the wishes of 
the chiefs to the contrary. But the object of their hopes unfortunately 
died the following year, and the sceptre passed to the hands of Aimatta, 
his sister, of whom the missionaries speak well. 
Before we sat down to dinner, I was amused at Jim, the inter- 
preter, bringing me the queen dowager’s compliments, and “ she would 
