LETTER TO HER BRITANNIC MAJESTY. 137 
come to Tahiti. If he cannot speedily come, 
I wish a large ship of war may come just at 
this present time. 
" Continually send here your ships of war. 
Let not one month pass away without one, 
until all my present difficulties are over. 
" I have also at this time written a letter 
to your Admiral in the Spanish coast, to 
come to Tahiti and assist me. Health and 
peace to you! may you be blessed, my 
sister friend, Queen of Great Britain, &c. 
" POMARE, 
" Queen of Tahiti." 
Queen Pomare*, however, and her people 
were doomed to feel the power of the French, 
who have erected a fort, commanding the 
entrance to the harbour of Otaheite. They 
have a frigate and a war steamer anchored 
there, and a military force on the island. 
The queen, who is now upwards of fifty years 
of age, is married; and although she has 
children of her own, she adopted Reuben 
Nobbs, the Pastor's eldest son; but she did 
not remove him from the care of his parents. 
K 
