The fole objeft of this vifit was to invite and intrcat our proceeding
to Karakakooa : to their foHcitaiions I replied, that our boat was exa-
mining Tyahtatooa, and that on her return I (hould determine. With
this anfwer they were pcrfeftly latisfied, but obferved, that I fliould not
find it fo convenient as Karakakooa.
I was much pleafed with the decorum and general conduft of this royal party. Though it confided of many, yet not one folicited even the mod inconfiderable article; nor did they appear to have any cxpeftation of receiving prefents. They feemed to be particularly cautious to avoid giv- ing the lead caufe for offence ; but no one more fo than the king himfelf, who was fo fcnipulous, as to enquire when and where it was proper for him to be feated. The inhabitants, who had aflembled round the (hips, were by this time very numerous ; on being denied their requefts to be admitted on board, which was obferved towards all but the principal chiefs, they remained perfcftly quiet in their canoes, and in a mofl: or- derly manner carried on an honefl and friendly intercourfe.
The demand, amounting to clamour, for arms and ammunition, which on our firft arrival fcerncd at that time to be fo formidable an obflacle to our procuring refrcfhments ; appeared now to be intirely done away, whilli; the cordial manner in which we had been received and treated, the profufion of good things we had purchafed at an eafy rate, and the value attached to our articles of traffic, imprcffed me with a more favorable idea of the charafter of thcfe people than that which had been recently given to the world.
Being determined that nothing fliouId be wanting on my part to preserve the harmony and good underflanding that feemed to have taken place between us; and having learned from You. that our royal vifitors did not entertain the mofl diflant idea of accepting any thing from me until they had firll fet the example ; I confidcred this a good opportunity to manifcfl our friendly difpofition towards them, by prefents fuitable to their refpc6live ranks and fituations. In the hope that by fuch an early compliment I fhould confirm, or perhaps heighten the favorable opinion of us, that they already feemed to have imbibed. Accordingly, fuch articles were dillributed as I knew were likely, and (as R 2 they is i
