Polynesian., 1851-03-01

dered by you to take the fre-ship under INV
command and sail away from the shores Of
Loo ChoO. beg leave to state, that came
to your Island. because on the 9th of the
present moon | fell in with a strong and
mighty typhoon, which disabled nv ship and
caused it to leak so badly as to come near
sinking in the depth of the Japan Sea.
passed many Islands because the inhabitants
oi them were not much known by Christians,
but as your. Island has been famed far and
wide for the wisdom and kindness of its peo-
pie, sought the shelter of its shores. with
confidence that would be allowed TO repair
my damages unmolested | did not leave
my anchorage in accordance with your edict
because | considered it mere form and be-
lieved that you had too much good will and
generosity to carry out its requirements, and
even If you had chosen to do so had on
board Of my ship fire guns both big and sma n
and many sailors with hearts and hands to
use them. in order to repel aggression. Since
your quiet and tacit consent to my remain
ing to complete my repairs feel obliged to
return my sincere thanks for your extreme
kindness and consideration to myself and
tnOSe unOer my command.
The presents you have sent me are very
acceptable, and | trust that those send in
return, may be equally so to yourselves,
wish you to understand, however, that !
shall not accept any more unless you consent
to receive pay for them, because you might
on my leaving, siigmatize us as coming from
a nation of beggars. Neither the American
or English, as nations, are considered beg
gars; on the contrary, their nightly power is
felt all over the world, and when you taunt
the christian missionary by telling him that
they are beggars, you do rank injustice to
friendly nations, aud also to your own char
acter for shrewdRess and foresight After
taking my dimnsions the other day some Of
you were pleased to fatter me by saying
must be in battle a mighty warrior !; in my
country are many warriors, with fame and
glory SO high that mine could not be seen in
the glare of MONDAY sun. How terrible
then would be the vengeance that aggression
would bring down on the heads Of those who
offend such rulers. Some of you have said
that any favor may ask, in your power to
grant, shall be conceded to me- have only
to remark (hoping that what i say may re-
ceive attention) that the English govern
ment has placed on your Island a christian
missionary, he complains that you misuse
him, bamboo him in the street, and starve
him, his wife and little ones, he is a learned
and wise man, and also a medical chief, un-
derstands and teaches almost all the Ian
guages of the earth, and administers to the
diseases both of body and mind, and altho
as christian minister, he is not allowed to
fight like Tartar, still his words are always
heavy, and will 60 father and weigh more,
in some cases, even than the warrior with
his ship and fire guns. Any injury or insult
you may do him will surely be repaid ,enfold
Even now the English fire ships, with their
big guns, are prowling about your coast
the smallest of which, in one hour could de-
stroy your populous city and make the beau
tiful burial place Of your fathers disgust
ing and sightess wilderness. Ifas you seem
to think, his doctrines are wrong and abb
surd, surely the superior wisdom the Japa-
nese lay claim to, will prevent their having
an undue influence, if right, as trust you
will soon find them, you will have great
cause to regret having injured one who has
been working long and faithfully for your
good. | have offered to take him from your
Island, but he declines, he would sooner die
than to leave his post without orders, sure
Iy the courage of such a man should COM
mand respect and reverence, instead of
wrong and injury. He also complains that
the food which you furnish him with makes
him sick, and that you allow snakes to hiss
and quarter in the sleeping places of his
children, and in endeavoring to destroy them
you deter him from SO doing. If you con-
tinue to treat him in this manner | shall con-
slider ii my duty to report it to his govern
ment, and they will not fail to find reason
for the different manner in which you treat
them who come ir fire ships, and him who
extends peace offering. shall not fail to
report to my own government the kind and
generous treatment have received at your
hands. beg leave to repeat tS your Ex-
cellencies my thanks for your kindness, and
wishing you numberless moons Of happiness
and prosperity, | subscribe myself,
Your ob't servant
(Signed) GEO. f. WEIGH
Master bark Merlin