46 RECEPTION ON BOARD SHIP. The incidents of the morning had a tendency to elevate our ideas of the state of the country, and of the true character of the people and after some refreshments at the mission-house, we returned on board, much gratified with all we had seen and heard. At the request of the queen, the band was sent on shore for an hour or two in the afternoon; and a kind of concert and oratorio given in the chapel, attended by the missionaries, many of the officers of the Vincennes, and a large concourse of royalty and plebeianism. The entertainment seemed highly gratifying to all; and as it had been a kind of gala day, rockets and fireworks were set off on board ship in the evening-a novelty to all on shore, except the Tahitians. Early this morning, the ship was in order to receive our guests, and boats dispatched, at ten o'clock, to fetch them on board. The queen of Tahiti was handed over the side by the captain-the guard of marines presenting arms, and the band playing "Hail Columbia." After the whole number had been escorted to the poop deck, a salute of fifteen guns was fired, during which we had proof that delicate nerves are not confined to the polished side of the globe. Many of the female noblesse of the party were greatly agitated; the good old queen of Raiatea sank to the deck, and I believe actually went to prayer; while her majesty of Tahiti, hanging on the captain's arm in front of the rest, stood the first two or three guns forward very well, but as the gunners touched off the battery farther and farther aft, she began to retreat with a finger in each 1 GOVERNESS OF HUAHINE. 47 ear, but laughing, and exclaiming, "maitai! maitai!"-"good! good!" with a tremulous and terrified voice. In a fashionable black satin dress, with deep ruff of thin muslin, a golden girdle and clasp, and a handsome round hat of fine straw trimmed with ribhons and flowers, she made quite a genteel appearance. Most of the others were equally well dressed. The governess of Huahine I found to be one of the most intelligent of the company. We had quite an animated conversation before dinner, in which she exhibited a greater degree of information than I had expected. She appeared fully to understand the difference of government in the United States and at the islands-knew the elective nature of the presidential office-inquired the name of the present incumbent, and asked whether it was probable he would be chosen for another term, &c. &c. The general state of the Sandwich Islands is also familiar to her. She corresponds with some of the chiefs there, and says that the princess Harrieta is a very fine and pious girl-that it is feared the young king, her brother, may become dissipated-that Governor Boki is not very good, &c. The ex-queen Kekauruohi—a wife of Tamehameha I., and afterwards of his son Rihoriho or Tamehameha II.-is one of her friends; and from her, she has just received letters, with a box of presents-containing, among other articles, a boy's suit of crimson silk velvet, worn by one of the little chieftains on the present occasion. This female and her husband, one of the finest looking men of the party, are both consistent and 48 LETTER OF THE QUEEN zealous members of the church. Speaking of the wealth and power of England and America, in comparison with the Islands, she remarked, that they were a poor people, but in the arts of reading and writing, and in a knowledge of the word of God, they still had the highest blessings: adding, that all the people, however, did not love these, and that she supposed it was in America and in England, as it was with them-that some were good and some were bad—some regarding and some disobeying the laws of God. LETTER VII. COMMUNICATION OF POMARE VAHINE I., TO THE PRESIDENT. Island of Raiatea, Į THE queen of Tahiti and party called on board this morning, after having embarked on their return to Tahaa. The appearance of the rabble, constituting a principal part of her train, in contrast with that of most of the islanders we have seen, either at the Georgian group or at this place, goes far to prove the reputed licentiousness of her household; and detracts greatly from the good impression made by the respectability and propriety of her personal deport ment. A principal object in visiting the Vincennes, was to commit to Captain Finch a letter, she has written TO THE PRESIDENT. 49 to the President of this Mr. Williams has furnished the following translation: "President, "Raiatea, September 26th, 1829. "In consequence of your kindness I write a letter to you. You sent a man-of-war formerly to our land, commanded by Captain Jones; he treated us with great kindness. You have now sent another man-of-war, commanded by Captain Finch; his kindness to us has also been great: we are highly pleased with his visit. I now write to you to express my gratitude; also to inform you of our present state. "I am a female-the first queen of Tahiti---Queen Pomaré I. is my name. I am daughter to Pomaré II. When he died the government devolved on my little brother-he died, the government then became mine. I am young and inexperienced. "We have cast away the worship of idols, and have embraced the worship of our common Lord. In the year 1814 we embraced Christianity. "We have missionaries on the island, who are diligent in teaching us that which will promote our welfare. Some have been with us upwards of thirty years. "We have laws by which we are governed. I cannot send you a copy, I being on a visit to my grand-father at Raiatea. "Tahiti and Eimeo are the largest islands in my government. We have not many people-perhaps ten thousand. "There is not much property at my island-arrowroot and cocoanut oil are the principal. We have abundance of food, and excellent harbors for ships: 50 RELIGIOUS CONFERENCE many American vessels call at Tahiti-tell them to continue to call, and we will treat them well. "All kinds of cotton cloth are in demand here for barter--white, printed, blue-shawls, ribbons, axes, are all good property to bring, to procure refresh ments. "We have a new flag given us by Captain Lawes, of the Satellite, British man-of-war; will you kindly acknowledge it in traversing the seas, and in visiting you, as yours is by us-should that be the case at a distant period. "Captain Finch has made myself, and mother, and aunt, with others, some handsome presents in your name, for which receive my gratitude. We are always glad to see American vessels at Tahiti. Continue to sail your vessels without suspicion. Our harbors are good and our refreshments abundant. "Prosperity attend you, President of the United States of America—may your good government be of long duration. QUEEN POMARE I." Tamatoa, the king of Raiatea, has also prepared a communication of similar import, to be transmitted to the president, by Captain Finch. Lieutenant Stribling and myself attended a meeting this afternoon, held weekly by Mr. Williams, with those of his congregation who have been baptized. It is the intention of this gentleman, in the course of a few months, to make an extensive voyage among the islands west of the Georgian and Society groups; and to carry with him a number of the |