4 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Countess Dowager of Huntingdon was exceedingly 
solicitous that efforts should be made to convey to 
them a knowledge of the Christian religion. So 
strong was her desire on this subject, that she is said 
to have left it with the late Dr. Haweis as her dying 
charge, that he would attempt to accomplish it. 
About the same time, the publication of Letters on 
Missions, by the Rev. Melville Horne, directed the 
attention of British Christians to this subject; and, 
in 1795, a society, including among its founders 
and supporters liberal and enlightened ministers of 
the established church and dissenters, was formed, 
under the designation of the Missionary Society: 
its object was to send the gospel to heathen and 
other unenlightened nations. At the earnest re¬ 
commendation of the late Rev. Dr. Haweis and 
others, the then newly-discovered islands of the 
South Sea were selected as the first scene of its 
exertions; and thirty individuals, who had volun¬ 
teered their services, engaged to attempt the estab¬ 
lishment of Missionary settlements in the Mar- 
quesian, Society, and Friendly Islands. 
On the 10th of August, 1796, they embarked 
in the Thames on board the Duff, a vessel which 
had been purchased to convey them to their des¬ 
tinations. This ship was under the command of 
Capt. James Wilson, who had retired, after a peril¬ 
ous and honourable career in the service of the 
Hon. East India Company, but who now generously 
offered to conduct the distant and adventurous 
voyage. On the 23d of September following, 
they took their final departure from Portsmouth. 
Their voyage, though protracted, was safe, and not 
unpleasant; and on the 4th of March, 1797, they 
had the satisfaction of beholding the high land of 
Tahiti in the distant horizon. 
