The Sun. — 1809-10-03 (London, England)

MDCCLXXII. This medal is considerably larger than a crown piece, and was originally gilt ; but which, from the length of time, being 36 years, is now nearly worn off. By the order of Labbor, the head chief at Ulitea, a stoic house, 100 feet ie length, and 50 in breadth, was built for the reception of the Mercury's stores, the building of which was completed in a day and a half; so numerous were the workmen. Upon leaving the island, the vessel stood towards Manjeea, an island to the south-west of Ultra, the people of which seem perfeCt strangers to every race of people but their own. In their dress and colour they differ little from UR:Friendly Islanders, but owing, perhaps, to the total want of intercourse, with civtlized visitors, their manners are ferocious, as their aspe6ts are forbidding. These people are said to be much above the ordinary size, robust, and very muscular. On the Mercury's approach, 50 or 60 canoes went out to meet her, each canoe having only one man in it, armed with a long spear anti several short ones. As soon ai they came to, which was about two miles from the snore, they went along-side, and entreated the hands to get nearer, which, together with their repeated ciforts to decoy them into their canoes, produced a suspicion of their views, and, in consequence, the schooner's people's got ready to defend themselves in case of an attack. Their numbers prodigiously increasing, every pre;:: caution was used to prevent any from getting on board; they appeared to have no kind of knowledge of fire arms, which they saw without emotion. They demanded every moveable they saw on deck, and were understood, as their language differed little, if at all, from that of the Otaheitans. The pigs on board they insisted upon having, frequently praised the size of the Mercury, and requested to know whose canoe she was But at length becoming impatient, a number grappled with the bowsprit rigging, and endeavoured to pull her in towards the shore, while others were endeavouring, by main strength, to pull the bole,: from the sides, for the sake of the. iron, with the value of which metal they were doubtless made acquainted by Capt.. Cook. As they had not any articles for barter, and ,the; Mercury had not expended the whole of her trade,' Mr. Reiby offered to purchase some of their spears,as they were ingeniously carved ; but none of theirwould they upon any account part with; at length. they began vehemently to threaten the people cn board, if they continued to, obje& to going on shore; many had spears in their hands; and_ one, who had taken a long spear up, with much seeming composure, while speaking to a seaman in the main chains, of the name of David Clarke, 'instead of offering it for barter, as was expealed to be his intention, made a sudden plunge at the belly of Clarke; who received the spear through his right hand, and in the left groin, about an inch.— The unfortunate man fell, upon receiving the wound, and was with difficulty got in. A general disposition of attack was now manifested, and self-defence became a duty : two musketoons were immediately discharged among. the foremost ; and we were not sorry to observe, that the whole contents of one were lodged in the body of Cla ke's unprovoked assailant. Their consternation at the noise they heard may ea•ily be conjectured : they staid not to examine the cause of the explosion ; but, taking to their peddles, in a few minutes reached the shore, where an immense number were assembled"; and the Mercury took leave of this little inhospitable island which is in about 21. 38. S. and 158. 20. E. long. It is much to be laMented, that even the Friendly Islanders should still retain their cruel custom of sacrificing human beinSs to their supersititions. On this subject we copy the folio ing extract from a journal on board the Mercury :--7" toll of March, at two P. M. saw the natives at liunaine murder a man, as a sacrifice, and hang hie; up in a basket, in a range with four others, .who_ had suffered the same fate.—reth of March, saw a canoe take in abe murdered bodies at Hubaine to be couveyedeto