PORTER’S JOURNAL, 
20 
of vexation, refused to answer their inquiries, and directed 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 as¬ 
sembled around them, armed with spears and clubs, and I felt 
somewhat apprehensive that I had committed an error, in not 
treating the strangers with more urbanity; for as I was desirous 
of establishing, with the natives, the most friendly intercourse, I 
was fearful my intentions might be frustrated, by their represen¬ 
tations, and the unfavourable impressions they might be enabled 
to make on their minds. Therefore to correct 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 I proceeded for 
the shore. The beach was abandoned at our approach; but on land¬ 
ing, I was met by one of the persons who had come off in the 
boat: and 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 Ganton, in the ship Pennsylvania Packet; from which 
place he sailed for this island, to procure sandal wood. Here he 
remained several months; and after procuring his cargo, sailed for 
Canton, leaving Mr. Maury with a party, and the remainder of hi» 
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, destroyed all expec- 
tations 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 I 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 En¬ 
glishmen by birth. He had been for many years among the groups 
of Marquesas, as well as the islands of Washington’s Group. He 
spoke their language with the same facility as his own, and had be¬ 
come in every respect, except in colour, an Indian. The looks of Wil¬ 
son had strongly prejudiced me against him; but I soon discovered 
him to be an inoffensive, honest, good-hearted fellow, well disposed 
to render every service in his power, and whose only failing was a 
strong attachment to rum. Wilson soon became a great favourite 
