two Europeans for the purpose, the others having gone to Europe; one of these whose name is Peter, had left the Dædalus, the other named Andrew, was cast away in the Matilda, and had been five years on the islandboth could talk the language fluently. Our reafons for coming were no fooner made known to Pomaree, than he faid we should not only have the houfe, which is a hundred feet by forty, but that all Matavia, fhould be given to the English, which was accordingly done in the most formal

manner.

After having thus fucceeded far beyond our expectations, it is now neceffary that I should acquaint you, that sometime before we made the land, the Miffionaries had divided in the following manner: eighteen for Otaheite, befides women and children; ten for the Friendly Iflands; and two for the Marquefas: this being the cafe, we had no time to fpare; therefore, as foon as I faw them in their commodious houfe, we failed for Eimeo, with a view to get the fhip ready, but more particularly to fee how the natives would behave during the abfence of the fhip. After five days we returned, found them all well, the natives having treated them with the utmost kindness. Having no time to fpare, we made all fail to the friendly Ilands; this was the twenty fixth of March; the first of April made Palmerston Islands; and on the ninth, Tongataboo; the next day we anchored about the place Captain Cook lay, according to his bearings. The anchor was no fooner gone than the fhip was furrounded with canoes, and a number of Chiefs came on board, who informed us that two Europeans were on the island, and to our great joy, they foon afterwards made their appearance; but of all the men we ever faw, these were certainly the most wicked looking fellows; and they foon gave us proof they were as bad as they appeared to be: one of them was an Irishman, named John Kennelly the other Benjamin Ambler, of London: they told us a strange story refpecting their coming to thefe iflands; but this was a matter of little confequence to us, firmly believing that the Lord had fent them as our inter preters; for though we had provided, as we thought, fufficient inftruments for the purpofe, by bringing Peter and two Otaheitans with us, we should have been much at a lofs, the language differing fo much, that they could not understand one word in ten: but thefe two men, Ambler and Kennelly, who had only been thirteen months on the island, could talk the language well. After fome time our bufinefs was partly told them; they rea dily agreed to give all the affistance in their power. After giving them and the Chiefs prefents, they all went on fhore, highly gratified apparently. Very early the next morning, we were furrounded with a prodigious number of fingle canoes, besides ten or twelve large double ones. From the peaceable manner they left us the night before, we had not the least suspicion, until the two Europeans came and told us, they intended to take the hip. This, you may easily conceive, alarmed us much. We got the people to their quarters as privately as poffible. After getting thus ready, we fcaled two of our guns; on this the large canoes began to fheer off, and a number of fingle ones es followed ; whether their intention was really to attack us we know no-but it was very alarming to fee fo many canoes and people round the veffel prefenting their clubs and fpears for fale, which might in a moment be turned againti us.

Our fears in a great measure being done away, Ambler pointed out four Chicls, which he faid were the only ones we need to care for. Tibe Mamoe, the preient king, was then at the point of death, and his for Tupahove the left of the four, would certainly fucceed his father; (which was actually the cafe); he therefore would recommend the

Miflionaries

Miffionaries being placed under his care: after talking with them on the fubject, they readily agreed to go. I told them that they could not expect to keep their chests, and if they were the least afraid, I would take them back to Otaheite; their answer was, the property was only a fecondary ob.. ject with them, that they would go with an humble dependance on that God, that had brought them fafe over the mighty ocean, and had enabled them to leave their country and friends. After a moft folemn seafon in prayer, fix of them went with the Chief and Ambler, but not before they promifed they should want for nothing; the other Chiefs wanting each to have one, but we thought it beft for the prefent they should be all together, promifing them that when the fhip returned, if they then chofe to feparate, each fhould have fome of them; this fatisfied them all. After receiving prefents, they all went on shore before dark, and all the canoes left us. The next morning we weighed, and run further out, that we might have plenty of room, in cafe of an attack. About noon two of the Miflionaries returned, with the pleafing intelligence that the natives did not attempt to fteal, but treated them with the greatest refpect; we then loaded the canoes with the remainder of their things, and with fuch ftores as they thought they would want.

We now get under weigh to endeavour to find a channel to the Westward of the spot where Captain Cook got aground: after fome time a very good one was found, which we failed through; this we conceived to be a valuable acquifition, as we should now, in cafe of being attacked, be able to fail out of the harbour, either to the Eaft or Weft. Being now without the reefs, we intended to spend two or three days to fee how the natives would behave to our people; but the Lord faw fit to fend us a fmart gale from the North Weft, fo that at day light we found ourselves in a critical fituation, not being able to weather the reefs on either tack; but to our comfort we juft fetched the channel which we had only discovered the day before; thus we narrowly efcaped fhipwreck: and before we cleared the harbour, we were nearly caft away the fecond time. What caufe have we to praise our God, for thus preferving us in fuch imminent danger. Having now cleared the harbour, April the 16th, we made the best of our way towards the Marquefas, with the only two Miffionaries on board, Meffrs. Harris and Crook. The fair wind lafted fix days, and was fucceeded by hard gales from the Eastward; fo that on the 6th of May we were only in 206° of longitude, and 39° South latitude. On the 23 of May we difcovered two iflands, which we endeavoured to land upon; but the natives, from their hoftile difpofition, prevented us. We named one the Crefcent from its shape; the other after Sir Charles Middleton: they lay in latitude 23o 12 South-longitude 226—15 East. The next day difcovered another, which we named after Admiral Gambier, latitude 21o-36; longitude 225°-40 Eaft; and on May 29th discovered another, which we called after our friend Mr. Searle; latitude 180-18 South, longitude 224. -12 Eaft; and on the 4th of June made the Inland Chriftiana, and the next day anchored in Refolution Bay, after a long difagreeable paffage of fifty days. Our rigging being now in a bad ftate, it was neceflary to get it on deck. I fhall only remark, that on getting the fore fhrouds down, we found two of them gone, fo that, had we been on the starboard tack, inftead of the larboard, during the gales we had in this paffage, we must have been difmafted. O what caufe of gratitude for all His kindness to us! We no fooner arrived, than we were vifited by many of the natives, and amongst them the Chief, whom after a few vihts, we gave to understand that the two Miffionaries were to ftay with him. On hearing this he could not contain himself, but jumped about the cabin for joy. He faid they fhould

Mm 2

fhould have a house, and that they should never want while he had to give, which we have reafon to believe will be the cafe. The young lad Crook went immediately with the Chief, but Harris ftaid on board to get the things ready, as he faid; however, I am forry to fay in this place, that though he was the first that propofed coming to these islands, and was the cause of two others not coming, he seemed now to have loft his miffionary fpirit, which was visible to every one, though he denied it. After a little time he went on fhore, but with fuch a gloomy countenance, that the natives foon took a diflike to him; the young lad, on the contrary, was chearful and obliging, fo that the whole village was remarkably fond of him. This being the cafe, I was under the neceffity of carrying Harris back to Otaheite. I would have brought Crook away likewife, but he begged to be left, which was agreed to; and I have no doubt but he will prove a bleffing to thofe poor, good natured Heathens.

Having now refitted our rigging, fupplied Crook with every thing needful, we took an affectionate leave of each other, and failed for Otaheite the 27th of June. In our way, we took a view of Trevenen's, and Sir Henry Martin's Iflands, and arrived in Matavia the 6th of July, when I found them all well in health, with one more in number than I left, Mrs. Henry being delivered of a fine girl. They had differed amongst themselves, which I endeavoured to make up. I began dividing the property, which I found a very difagreeable task: this took up all the time I was here, and I got through it apparently much to their fatisfaction.

Having now completed our business, we took leave of our dear friends and the kind natives the 4th of August, touched at Huahine, which was in a dreadful state owing to their wars. From this we made Palmerfton Ifland, and planted bread fruit, plantains, and Ava trees; and on the 18th of August anchored off Tongataboo, nearly in our old birth, where we were foon vifited by our dear people, who informed us they were all well (except one), and how the Lord had preferved them from the machinations of their countrymen, who had done all in their power to make the poor heathens deftroy them, and that fome of them had separated with a view to counteract their villainous plots. During my ftay Meffrs. Bu chanan and Galton went to live with another chief, which I traft will not only be the means of gaining their affections, but will likewife facilitate the knowledge of the language, which is of the greatest importance. After doing every thing in our power for them with the Chiefs, and dividing the articles, we parted with many tears on both fides. I brought away Mr. Nobbs, by their advice, as he had not his health from the time he landed. Our intention was now to touch at the Fegee islands, and, if poffible, to have fome intercourfe with the natives. On the 7th of September we left Tongataboo, and on the 9th, in the evening, made the Fegees; but, after hx days toil, trying to find anchorage, we were under the neceffity of quitting them withont finding any, or having any intercourfe with the natives; yet not before we ftruck on a coral rock, but got off without receiving any damage. I believe no islands in the world are fo hemmed in with dangerous reefs. We got into the middle of them, and we have reafon to be thankful we got out in the manner we did. In fteering to the weftward we made the island Ruttuma,,had a little intercourfe with the na tives, who seem to be of the fame race with the Friendly Iflanders, they talk the fame language, and their canoes are of the fame construction. From this we intended making the best of our way to the Pelews, but from variable winds and calms, we did not reach them till the 7th of November; and then from the ftormy appearance of the weather, we did not think it prudent to Hay; therefore, after a little intercourfe with the natives, wę proceeded

proceeded on our way to this port, with a view to fend you intelligence, if poffible, by the firft fhip. We found on our arrival at Macao, which was the 21ft of November, that we could not proceed to Wampoo, without an authority from the Hoppo, because we had no cargo. Finding a ship had been detained a month, I went to Canton, by which means we got permiffion. The 14th day anchored at Wampoo. There are three of the last year's fhips ready for fea, but I prefer fending you this by a Danifh fhip-there are four direct fhips arrived. My nephew received a few lines from you and Mr. Fenn, but I have not received any, three of the packets are not yet up, and I could not think of lofing this opportunity.

This brief relation, I hope, will be fatisfactory to all our dear friends, but you must make great allowances for the writer-fhall conclude with only obferving, that as our work has been great, having been eleven months out of fourteen at fea, the wear, &c. of fails has been in proportion. We never split a fail, nor carried away a maft. The feamen and officers are in the hip, all well, except William Tucker, feaman, who ran from the fhip. I can give you no idea when we fhall leave this place. To me it is the worst part of the voyage, having to affociate with the profeffed enemies of my Lord, and frequently I am the butt of the whole company. May the Lord increase your zeal, and present you with such inftruments as he will own and blefs. This is, and ever will be, the fincere prayer of, DEAR SIR,

Canton, Dec. 16, 1797.

Your affectionate Servant,

J. WILSON,

P. S. The following Miffionaries were left at the Friendly Islands, by you will know the names of those left at Otaheite.

which

I brought with me from the Friendly Iflands, Nobbs, from his bad state of health, and Dr. Gillam, from Otaheite.

N. B. We are authorifed to fay, that the Directors gave orders that the above letter fhould be fent to all the fubfcribers: but if, through the hurry of bufinefs, it has been omitted, in any inftances, they hope fuch uninten tional omiffion will be excufed.

MR. EDITOR,

The mention of Mr. Crook, left at the Marquefas, as a young lad, requires fome explanation. He has a remarkable open countenance; looks younger than he is, being about 22 years of age; endued with a frong mind, though not improved by literature; very converfant with the Scriptures, being his conftant and almost only book; full of zeal and devoted efs to his work; endued with good gifts as a speaker; much in prayer; and, though young, remarkably fteady. From the day they embarked every Miffionary, in turn, read and expounded the Scripture, and prayed with the company morning and evening; and, during the fix weeks I was with them, afforded me the greatest satisfaction.

I hope our brethren alfo will entertain no prejudice against Mr. Harris, who might have been intimidated, by obferving that the natives did not as cordially

cordially receive him as Mr. Crook. He was a dark, fwarthy man; and perhaps more referved in his carriage, and lefs acceptable to the islanders, His heart might yearn also after his companions at Otaheite; or a fudden panic come over him, from which he may have recovered, and become a very ufeful Miffionary. He is a man of strong sense, appeared one of the molt courageous and firm, and, in his examination, fingularly intelligent, Let us wait and hope that all will be for the beft. All confefs Captain Wilfon to have acted as an angel of God, in wildom, patience, and holy watchfulness over his charge.

T. HAWEIS.

The following letter has also been received from one of the Miffionaries by a friend in town.

DEAR BROTHER,

Tongataboo, July 21, 1797.

I hope you will pardon my remiffness in not writing to you while I lay at Spithead; be affured, dear friend, it was not out of any difiefpect. You may, perhaps, be fomewhat furprized when you hear of Brother Smith and I being feparated. Permiffion being granted for us to choose our place of refidence, I and nine more of our brethren were led to choose to come to this place; whereas Brother Smith thought that his call was more particularly to Otaheite. O, my dear friend, you are, as it were, behind the scene; you may have read the ftate of the Heathens, but could your eyes behold them, how would your heart be filled with pity, and your mouth with prayer! Behold the thousands and thousands of our fellow mortals enjoying all the bleffings that nature can provide, but deftiture of the knowledge of that God who gives it them. I cannot understand that they worship any thing in particular; but are strongly attached to the cuffons of the country, which they take for an excuse, if we tell them any thing is bad.

On the death of any of their friends they cut and fpear themselves in a molt fhocking manner; and at the death of any great Chief it is done by most of the people in the country, as hath been the cafe fince we came. At fuch a time the people affemble from all parts of the country, and thousands of huts are erected near the burial place, to which they go in bundreds, and cut themselves in a manner too horrid to relate. When this part of the fcens is concluded, they have what they call Tomays a defcription whereof you may find in Cook's Voyages. The people are, for the most part, very civil and good natured; but, it is to be feared, that many of them are very deceitful.

Their regulation, government, cleanlinefs, method of cultivation, and the manner in which they fence in their land, is truly furprising. The climate feems to be very temperate, but we have not yet experienced the fummer feason. The produce is far beyond all expectation.

Satan has already began to attack us, by infinuating into the minds of the people that our prayers kill the Chiefs, three of them having departed this life fince we came here. He is fowing the feed of perfecution, but, it is our comfort, he cannot tell the fruit it will produce: I trust it will be over-ruled, that it may terminate in the glory of God. O, how ought it to fill our hearts with love and gratitude to our glorious Redeemer, who has done fuch great things for us, who were enemies unto him, and far from God by wicked works! I believe I have no reason to call upon you to join with me in praise to that Jefus, who, I truft, has fent his bleffed Spirit to enlighten our benighted minds, and bring us to a true and

faving