THE PACIFIC OCEAN. 
61 
though I was convinced, that an early difplay of vigorous 1779. 
refentment would more effectually have anfwered every ob- ^ e - u _ ry ] 
jeCt both of prudence and humanity, I was not forry, that 
the meafures I had recommended were rejected. For though 
the contemptuous behaviour of the natives, 'and their fub- 
fequent oppofition to our neceffary operations on fhore, 
arifing, I have no doubt, from a mifconftruCtion of our 
lenity, compelled us at lalt to have recourfe to violence in 
our own defence; yet I am not fo fare, that the circum- 
ftances of the cafe would, in the opinion of the world, have 
juftified the ufe of force, on our part, in the firft inftance. 
Cautionary rigour is at all times invidious, and has this 
additional objection to it, that the feverity of a preventive 
courfe, when it belt fucceeds, leaves its expediency the leaft 
apparent. 
During the time we were thus engaged, in concerting 
fome plan for our future conduCt, a prodigious concourfe 
of natives ftill kept poffeffion of the fhore; and fome of 
them came off in canoes, and had the boldnefs to approach 
within piftol-ffiot of the Ihips, and to infult us by various 
marks of contempt and defiance. It was with great diffi¬ 
culty we could reftrain the failors from the ufe of their 
arms, on thefe occafions ; but as pacific meafures had 
been refolved on, the canoes were fuffered to return un~ 
molefted. 
In purfnance of this plan, it was determined that I 
ffiould proceed toward the fhore, with the boats of both 
fhips, well manned and armed, with a view to bring the 
natives to a parley, and, if poffible, to obtain a conference 
with fome of the Chiefs. 
If this attempt fucceeded, I was to demand the dead bo¬ 
dies, and particularly that of Captain Cook; to threaten 
them 
