94 
POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
In the division of the territory thus seized^ the chief 
priest received the eastern part of Matavai; but he did 
not long enjoy it^ he was murdered^ as already stated^ very 
shortly afterwards. This event gave a new aspect to poli¬ 
tical affairs in the island, and appeared to unite in one 
interest Otu and Pomare his father. The inhabitants of 
Matavai left their places of retreat, and, having presented 
their peace-offering, re-occupied their lands. The Mis¬ 
sionaries resumed their attempts to instruct the natives, 
but found the acquisition of the language so diiB&cult, 
and the insensibility of the people so great, that they 
were exceedingly discouraged. Some of the natives, 
however, were led to inquire how it was that Cook, 
Vancouver, Bligh, and other early visitors, had never told 
them any of those things which they heard from the 
teachers now residing with them. 
Towards the close of the year 1799, the Missionaries 
were called to the melancholy duty of conveying to the 
silent grave, under very distressing circumstances, Mr. 
Lewis, one of their number, and the first Missionary who 
had terminated his life on the shores of Tahiti. He 
landed from the ship Duff in 1797^ continued to labour 
with his companions, respected and useful, until about 
three months after the departure of the Nautilus with 
the families to Port Jackson, when he left the Mis¬ 
sion house, and took up his residence with a taio, or 
friend, in the eastern part of the district. Three weeks 
afterwards, he intimated to his companions his inten¬ 
tion of uniting in marriage with a native of the island, 
solemnly purposing to abide faithful to wards her until death. 
Considering her an idolatress, the Missionaries deemed 
this an inconsistent and unlawful act, but Mr. Lewis, per¬ 
severing in his determination, they dissolved the con- 
