The Polynesian., 1841-01-09
THE POLYNESIAN.
SATURDAY, JAN. 9. lS4l.

that of foreigners Their condition will 90
far to reiutc or confirm the assertions which
we have before made. A few teachers of
the Methodist persuasion have settled at the
Fiji group; as their labors, though ndcfati-
gable in their cause, cannot be said to have
produced a sincere convert and the islands
are so populous and extensive, we shall class
those to which we now refer. The white
population among them was originally of the
same character with those who first frequent
ed New Zealand; but the barbarous habits
of the savagcs seem to have had favorable
effect upon them, by strengthening the
sense of their own moral superiority, which
has secured to them deserved respect
among their heather associates. This inhu-
encc has been sufficiently powerful in places
where they have settled in any numbers, to
put an end to cannibalism, and to associate
tainly great step towards changing the man
ners of so lcrocous Il race. In other res
poets, their example has been decidedly ben
clicial, particularly in regulating the inter-
course with such vessels as may touch for
trade and refreshments, and securing them
from any treachcrous attacks. They are
even DESTROYS of securing missionary to re-
side with them, for the purpose of instructing
their children, and the most favorable points
for the introduction of Christianity is said to
be, where they reside.
Next in Importance to these islands. is the
Kings Mill group, and others in the imme-
Idiate vicinity. A few stragglers from civil
cation arc said to reside on them. but so lit
tie is known of their history that we cannot
speak of their condition with any certainty
Of some, rumor says they are in character,
pirates; being runaways from vessels in
which they have experienced ill-trcatmcnt,
and are now determined to revenge them
selves on any whites whom misfortune or
want of prudence may put into their power
Even if this is the case, the savages will
soon perceive that such vsiters are an inu-
ry alike to them, and their own race, and
the penalty which such crimes so richly de-
serve, will sooner or later overtake them.
The savages will not fail to contrast their
conduct with those who treat them Justly.
and the reaction Of sentiment will be much
in favor Of the latter Thus few years
since thc Captain and crew of shpwrecked
whaler were massacred at this group Some
time afterwards the Captain Of another YES
sci, hearing of this circumstance, sailed for
the place, and opened destructive fire upon
their villages, which of course, from its mere
wantonness, exaspcrated the savages, and
rendered it still more dangerous for other
vessels to approach their islands. In cut
ting off the crew of the whaler, they had act
ed according to the dictates of their own
natural feelings and customs, and were I'M
conscious of having committed any criminal
offence. They should have been punished
severely, but to have produced good effect
it should have been with judgment, and not
in spirit of revenge. The distinction be-
tween the innocent and guilty should have
been made as far as practicable, and the
power and justice Of the whites at the same
time firmly impressed upon their minds
But in this instance they could perceive that
the whites acted precisely as they would have
done themselves in a similar csse, and thus
an opportunity of forcibIy impressing upon