The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1858-03-11


johnson, II surprised to recognize this man as
one who had sailed with five years since1 tc
take care of their property unmolested &c., Sc
WIN TINS view we left, to wait upon his Majesty
Wnom we found seated upon "A mat, accompanied by
his Queen who is of small stature and rather pleas
ing countenance He received us graciously and
ordered some cocoanut milk to be brought. After
we had drank our milk, and paid him some compli-
ments of a nature calculated to awaken in him Just
appreciation of the dignity of his position ne intro
duced our negotiation, by asking in English well
what Covert speak,' Making known to him Covert's
desire for peace he broke forth into fit of immode-
rate laughter, exclairnng, ''Ah very good. Covert
good man, fight plenty, me laugh too much-he kill
kng-ha, ha, ha,-he kill all kans1as ha ha-he
Ike be king very much, but he no like kanaka's
come on board Morning Star tomorrow at O'clock
and Will bring Covert on board, and we will have
talk 90 Every good, me come, me bring my chiefs,
we talk" At A. NJ the Missionaries assembled,
and we soon saw approaching in his whaleboat, the
king, and chiefs. Manning our boat, and hosting a
white flag, started for the rendezvous of the
foreign party. Covert seeing approach, and an
ticlpatng the nature of our errand, all ready
for embarking, and jumping board, we were soon
along side of the peaceful Morning Star, with her
emblems gracefully lifting in the breeze The scene
was at this time, worthy of painters skill. The
decks were crowded with natives, while all around
the vessel were canoe loads of anxious spectators
fell from the interpreters lips The king and Covert
sat opposite each other, while the chiefs were ar
ranged in the rear. The meeting opened by Mr.
Gulick Offering prayer Capt. Laurence was chosen
to conduct the negotiations, Mr.. Snow, interpreter
Question.-Capt. Laurence.-.sMr. Covert it seems
that you have received foreigners into your house,
and taken up arms against the king. What have you
to say the subject -
CoUert.-'s Two or three Rotumah men were in nv
employ laborers. The others were working for
themselves, were peaceabe, inofensve men, With
out giving any offence to the king his Chiefs they
wee attacked, and five of their number killed. The
others ran to my house for protection felt bound
protect them and fought. l have no desire to
keep the Rotumah men in my house, provided the
king will allow them to get food for themselves, till
such time as they can get away in some vessel
and my partner wish to live here peaceaby-we have
property, wives and children. viii not join any for
eign party against the king 'Mr. Snow here partly
g Dand part in native tongue, explained to
the k21g Covert's request. lie answered in broken
English: sc Me like Covert, johnson, and Rotumah
men to go away Spose ship come, Covert speak
sailors, you go and kill king, we give you plenty
land Me like Covert stop here, better go, spose
stop here, fight too much.' After considerable de-
bate, it decided that Covert and johnson be al
lowed to leave their house to procure food without
being fired upon; but that the Rotumah men should
not be allowed go outside the walls. Here ended
the conference for the present. In the afternoon
meeting held in Mr.. Shows house, and 1 gave
permission for all hands to attend
MONDAY 14TH.-Copy of order received this
morning from Mr.. Gulick, the Delegate:
CApr MooHs-DEAa hold yourself in readiness
the following passengers from this island
Rev. Snow, wife child Geo Person. NJ. D.,
wife and chid Kite native girl in Mr. Shows family George
native boy in Mr. SHOWS family aka native Of Teuti
(signed0 P-J. GULIck, Delegate.
The morning of the 18th proved fine, and at day
light the anchor aweigh, and with four boats
ahead, we quickly towed out. After getting u suif-
cient ofing the boats called home, and Capt.
Laurence and the king bidding farewell in the
tive tongue, we hauled close on the wind N. n E.,
- -
sage Ascension, will give skeleton abstract of
my Journal.
15rH-At noon Strong's Island bears W. fifteen
miles
16TH-Calms and light airs from s. W., knot
N. 2. current. Noon.-Strong's Island bears s. w.
by W. 20 miles.
I7rH.-Calm and rain. Island bears s. W. 80
miles.
1srH.-Lght airs from s. w.-lat 6a 81 long 1929
19rH-Lgbt and squally-lat. 70 "a long. 1919
s5,
2OrH Gains and heavy rain, observation.
21sT.-Lght breeze from W. s. Wat. 60 90
long. 1902 OF.
22yD At midnight light airs from W. Supposed
ourselves to be near Duperey's Island. Tackled to
the n. W. and again s. AT daylight saw the land
right ahead, about four miles OF About sunrise saw
a boat moving in the lagoon. Soon after saw them
launch it over the reef Stood in and the boat
came alongside. II a whaleboat padded by na-
tives and commanded by white man, who repre-
%
said his WAS Higgins, that he had resided ON
the island three years; that the natives were per-
fectly friendly, and that he would be glad to have
the missionaries go shore The wind at this time
canted Y. " W, fair for Ascension, and was anx-
ious to proceed but the missionaries wished to see
how affairs were shore. Consequently we manned
n boat, ausblr. Snow and Dr. Pierson went on shore
Having bagained for 500 lbs of turtle, both boats
Let the ship together and after absence of two
hours returned. Higgins bringing 500 lbs of turtle
as present for the Mission at Ascension 100 cocoa
nuts for the vessel and 500 lbs of turtle bargained
for. These natives were full rs much civilized as
those at Strongs Island, and all those who came of
had on pantaloons. Duperey's or Wellington Group
lies in lat 90 40 n. long 1899 5O E. Like all coral
islands they low, and surrounded by reef, from
an eighth to a quarter Of mile in extent The CIR
cumference of the group should judge TO be about
Is miles, embracing lagoon, but there is no ship
passage through the reef. Cocoanut oil is manufac-
tured here TO some Stent MIR. Snow was highly
pleased with his visit On shore He represented the
natives as being fine, healthy looking people, their
houses well built clean and mfortable. They num-
Der about one hundred souls There are two natives
here belonging to the Kings Mill Group They were
very anxious TO be taken on board and be carried
home Perhaps may stop and take them on our
passage back, for they may be of use TO US in our
with the natives st those islands.
Higgins says the natives would be glad to have mis-
sionary come and live with them. There is great
need of native missionaries to come to these small
islands. They would be well received, and hope to
land one here my next The latter part OF
the day and night the wind was w. with heavy rain
At daylight it hauled N. E. At o'clock we saw
Ascension, and at l P. NJ. took pilot and came to
anchor in Metalanim harbor. This island has been
30 well described by Dr. Gulick that is unnecessary
for me to say more The pilots here exhorbitant
in their charges, asking SO dollars each way L
paid him and at the same time informed him that
would take the vessel out myself At the expiration
of week I received orders to weigh anchor for |
Jokots harbor, Mr. Doaue's station, on the n w.
side of the island for the purpose of taking in his
fects.
WEDNESDAY 30rH-Proyed foul weather and we |
could do nothing At midnight it cleared, and being
calm and the tide favorng, gave orders for getting
under way We weighed anchor and sent boat |
ahead to tow. Taking the lead, commenced sound |
ing my way along. Ten fathoms-ten fathoms. every |
heave In little while perceived she had no head
way Supposing the tide had turned, called out, |
pull ahead, boys, give way strong, we shall be
obliged to let go again. The mate. looking over the
side. thought he saw bottom. Taking the lead over