324 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
village, formed on an oblong square, with trees 
of various kinds irregularly interspersed. The 
houses,” Sir T. Staines adds, “ were small, but 
regular, convenient, and of unequalled cleanli¬ 
ness.” After a very affecting interview with John 
Adams, (who appeared about sixty years of age,) 
and with his rising community, who with tears 
and entreaties begged them not to take their father 
from them, the captains returned to their ships, 
and sent to these interesting people such useful 
articles as they could spare. There were forty-eight 
persons on the island at this time. This small island 
is fertile, though water is not abundant. As soon 
as their circumstances became known, a liberal 
supply of agricultural implements, and tools, were 
sent from Calcutta. Bibles and prayer-books 
were also forwarded by the Directors of the London 
Missionary Society. They were gladly received by 
Adams, and gratefully acknowledged. 
Since that time the number of inhabitants has 
considerably increased, and, at the present time, 
amounts to about eighty, including the seamen 
who have left their vessels, married females of the 
island, and have taken up their residence on shore. 
Apprehensive of the inadequacy of the produc¬ 
tions of the island to supply their wants, especially 
in fuel and water, they intimated, four or five years 
ago, their wish to be taken to another country; 
and it appeared probable that they might remove 
to the Society Islands, or some extensive and fer¬ 
tile, but uninhabited island in the Pacific : this 
desire has, however, ceased, and, since the death of 
Adams, they have expressed their wishes to remain. 
I have been near their island more than once, and 
regret that I had not an opportunity of visiting 
them. The captain of the ship in which I returned 
