NATIVE MISSIONS. 
2G3 
of the chiefs so urgent, that, although unwilling to 
he deprived of the assistance of their seniors, in the 
acquisition of the language, Mr. Williams and Mr. 
Threlkeld felt it to be their duty to accompany 
Tamatoa, and the chiefs who were with him, to 
Raiatea. They purposed to attempt their civiliza¬ 
tion, the establishment of schools, and, with the 
assistance of pious and intelligent natives, their 
instruction in the use of letters, and the first prin¬ 
ciples of religion; while they were cultivating such 
an acquaintance with the language as would 
enable them more fully to unfold the great objects 
of their Mission. They represented distinctly the 
disadvantages under which they should commence 
public instruction, from their very partial know¬ 
ledge of the language; but the chiefs always re¬ 
plied, “ Never mind that, you possess enough now 
to teach us more than we know, and we will make 
it our business to teach you our language.” The 
visitors from Raiatea were supported in their ap¬ 
plication by a number of chiefs belonging to the 
same island; who, after residing some years in 
Eimeo, had now removed to Huahine, and were 
desirous of returning to their own possessions in 
Raiatea and Tahaa, yet did not wish to go unac¬ 
companied by some of those, from whose instruc¬ 
tion they had derived advantage. 
It was always a matter of regret with the Mis¬ 
sionaries, that the expenses of the establishment in 
the islands should be sustained altogether by 
the parent Society; and in order to diminish 
this, they had from time to time disposed of 
the fruits of their own industry, to the captains of 
vessels touching at Tahiti; or they had sent small 
quantities to New South Wales, receiving, in re¬ 
turn, such articles as they were most in need of. 
Ik 
