EXOTIC PLANTS. 
49 
CHAP. III. 
First preaching in the native language—National council 
in Atehuru—Seizure of the idol Oro—Rebellion of the 
Oropa—Introduction of useful foreign fruits and vege¬ 
tables—Providential arrival of two vessels—Battle of 
Pare—King's camp attacked, Oro retaken—Mission 
house garrisoned with seamen, &c.—Desolation of the 
war—Death of the king's brother—Ravages of foreign 
diseases—Death of Pomare—Sketch of his character— 
Otu assumes the name of his late father—Origin of the 
regal name—Efforts to instruct the children—Death of 
the queen—Compilation of the first spelling-book—First 
school for teaching reading and writing—Arrival of the 
Hawkesbury—Death of Mr. Jefferson—Mr. Nott’s visit 
to the Leeward Islands—Rebellion in Matavai—Defeat 
of the king—Departure of the majority of the Mission- 
aries—Abandonment of the Mission. 
Anxious to increase the resources of the islands, 
those who had arrived in the Royal Admiral had 
brought with them a variety of useful seeds from 
Port Jackson, with plants of the vine, the fig, and 
the peach-tree, which were planted in the Mission 
garden. Many of the seeds grew, and the vege¬ 
tables produced added an agreeable variety to 
the indigenous productions of the country. The 
vine, the peach, and the fig, appeared to thrive 
well; but in the war which broke out shortly after, 
the fences were broken down, the plants torn up 
or trodden under foot, and the garden was entirely 
destroyed. Pineapples and water melons, of 
n. r 
