PORTER’S JOURNAL. 
rs 
t© lay them up, and this fort would give them additional security; 
besides I believed that the possession of this island might at some 
future period be of importance to my country, and I was desirous 
of rendering her claim to it indisputable. With these objects in 
view I called on Gattanewa, and inquired of him and his people, 
who had assembled, whether they had any objections to my con- 
structing the fort: they informed me that they were much pleased 
with my intention, as it would enable me to give them more ef¬ 
fectual protection, and requested that they might be permitted to 
assist in its construction. I now required to know of them whe¬ 
ther they would always be faithful to the American flag and as¬ 
sist us in opposing our enemies; they informed me that they had 
placed themselves entirely under my protection and control, that 
our enemies should be their enemies, that they would always re¬ 
ceive my countrymen as brethren among them, and as far as lay 
in their power prevent our enemies from coming among them, 
knowing them to be such. I had frequently informed them of our 
being at war with Great Britain, and now explained to them the 
nature of our government, on which Gattanewa requested that 
they might not only be our friends and brothers but our country¬ 
men. I promised them that they should be so, and that they 
should be adopted as such as soon as the fort should be complet¬ 
ed, when a salute should be fired on the occasion. 
The Indians instructed and assisted by a few of my people le¬ 
velled the top of the hill, the breast work of water casks were 
formed and filled with dirt, suitable spaces being left for embra¬ 
sures, guns were landed from our prizes and mounted, and on 
the 14th of the month our fort was completed, being calculated 
for mounting sixteen guns, but I did not conceive it necessary at 
present to mount more than four. All worked with zeal, and as 
the friendly tribes were daily coming in with presents, all joined 
in the labour. The chiefs requested that they might be admitted 
on the same footing as the Taeehs, and every thing promised 
harmony between us; they would frequently speak of the war with 
the Typees, and I informed them I only waited for their war 
canoes to be put together and lanched. And now I am on the 
subject of war canoes I must break the chain of my narrative for 
VOL. II. £ 
