POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
83 
night; and the unsettled state of political affairs in the 
island indicating their exposure to the consequences 
of actual war, led them to consider the line of conduct 
it would be their duty under such circumstances to pur¬ 
sue. They were in the possession of fire-arms, which 
they had brought on shore solely with a view to in¬ 
timidate the natives, and deter any, who, unrestrained 
by the influence of those chiefs who had guaranteed 
their protection, might be disposed to attack them. The 
propriety of their using fire-arms was, however, questioned 
by some, and discussed by the whole body; who publicly 
agreed that it was not their duty even to inflict punish¬ 
ment upon those that might be detected in stealing their 
property, but to complain to their chiefs ; that they could 
take no part even with their friends in any of their wars. 
They resolved that their arms should be used for de¬ 
fence, only in the event of an attack being made upon 
their habitations ; and not even then, until every means 
of avoiding it had been employed. Some of the Mis¬ 
sionaries carried their principles of forbearance so far, 
as to declare that, but for the exposure of the females, 
even then it would not be right to have recourse to 
arms. Such were the views of the Missionaries, and 
the circumstances of the people, when an event trans¬ 
pired which altogether altered the aspect of affairs in 
reference to the Mission. 
On the 6th of March 1798, exactly twelve months from 
the day on which the Duff first anchored in Matavai bay, 
a vessel arrived at Tahiti; which, being the first they had 
seen since the departure of Captain Wilson, awakened 
considerable interest. She was boarded by three of the 
Missionaries at the mouth of the harbour, and found to 
be the Nautilus of Macao, commanded by Captain 
