FEEJEE AND TONGA ISLANDS.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 9, 1 March 1849, Page 3

FEEJEE AND TONGA ISLANDS.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE “ SAMOAN REPORTER.”

Gentlemen, —In compliance with your request to furnish you with some account of my voyage to the Feejee and Friendly Islands, in H.B.M. Ship “ Calypso,” I beg to forward to you the following :— Capt. Worth, having received instructions from his commander-in-chief to proceed to the Feejee and Friendly Islands, —to inquire into certain complaints which had been made relative to the murder of British subjects and other foreigners by the natives, to countenance and protect the Missionaries labouring on the various islands, and to assure the natives generally, that it is the wish of the British Government to be on the most friendly terms with them, so long as they act kindly towards foreigners residing among them or visiting their ports,—it was thought desirable, that I should accompany him. We left Upolu on the 2nd of June, 1848, and in a few days were at anchor at the Feejees. Immediately upon our arrival, we were informed, that some of our countrymen had been cruelly murdered, without giving any provocation, and devoured by the savage cannibals. To prevent these diabolical acts in future, it appeared absolutely necessary to demand redress for the most recent act of the kind, which was the cool, deliberate murder of two industrious and well-behaved foreigners, who called at Ngunduvau, a village on the large island Vitilevu, for the purpose of bartering with the natives for yams, fowls, tec. Having collected all the information necessary for the conviction of the parties, H.M.’s vessel was removed near the village where the horrid deed was done. The murderers were demanded, but the people refused to give them up; consequently, Capt. Worth had to commence hostilities. About one hundred men, with their officers, landed, under cover of the large guns. In little more than an hour, they were again in their boats, having thoroughly destroyed the village, killed six of the natives, and wounded many. Another case was brought before us, which seemed to demand redress; but, upon investigation, there was reason to believe, that the foreigners had given some provocation which led to these tragical proceedings. Four foreigners had been murdered in the most brutal manner. The natives hauled up their schooner, killed and ate three of them immediately. The fourth, though cut badly with an axe, was bound and taken on shore, where they cut pieces off his body, roasted and ate it in his presence, telling him, that, ere long, they should eat the whole of him. After keeping him in this horrid state till the third day, they clubbed him, baked and ate him. A letter was addressed to the chief at whose instigation, it is said, the foreigners were murdered,

informing him, that he must not consider the case as settled ; that, if satisfactory proof can be obtained that this foul act was committed without just cause having been given by the foreigners, he would certainly be punished for such unheard of cruelty. At Solevu, a village on Vanualevu, there are about thirty foreigners, mostly English and Americans, who are conducting themselves well. They have native wives, and some of them large families. They have four or five schooners, in which they go about trading with the natives. They have this village to themselves. We found it very neat and clean ; doing great credit to those who reside in it. For the maintenance of good order and discipline, we recommended them to enact a few laws, which they appeared determined to do. There are nine Mission families in this groupe, connected with the Wesleyan Missionary Society, occupying five stations. We visited them all; and were happy to find, that the indefatigable exertions of these servants of the Most High. God had been crowned with such a large measure of success. More than three thousand have abandoned their heathen practices, and are now under Christian instruction. The whole of the New Testament has been translated, and is in the hands of the natives. Many of the books of the Old Testament will soon be ready for the press. Applications are continually being made from other islands in the groupe for Missionaries to reside among them. They have the assistance of sixty local-preachers and thirty-four catechists ; but double that number might be usefully employed, if they could be obtained. The Missionaries preferred no charges against the natives, demanding redress. Those who have embraced Christianity treat them very kindly ; and, latterly, the heathen chiefs have been respectful in their behaviour towards them. There are certain foreigners on the various islands, whose conduct is far worse than that of the heathen, and who prove a great hinderance to the progress of the Gospel. In many instances, their vile proceedings with the natives have been the cause of the horrid murders which have been committed. The Feejee Islands form an interesting groupe. The climate is good, the soil excellent, and the native produce usually abundant. The number of inhabitants is estimated at 300,000, which is a mere fraction of what they are capable of supporting. The commerce of these islands is not very extensive. The vessels visiting the Feejees are mostly from Sydney and America, to collect Biche-de-mar, which they usually take to Manilla. Whalers touch occasionally for supplies; their number is not great, ow ing chiefly to the many reefs and shoals which abound in the immediate neighbourhood of the islands. On leaving the Feejees, we proceeded to the Friendly Islands, calling first at Tongatabu. On this island, there are five Wesleyan Missionaries, with their families, and two French Roman Catholic priests. There are about 10,000 inhabitants ; 6,000 nominally Christian, and 4,000 heathen. George Tubou, usually called King George, is the ruling chief; but, as some of the heathen party are averse to him, he lives mostly at the other islands. We next called at Lifuka, in the Haapai Groupe. Here we had the pleasure of meeting King George and his family. They visited the “ Calypso,” and appeared much gratified with what they saw and the attentions paid them. On their leaving the vessel, a salute was fired. From Lifuka, we proceeded to Vavau, where we found everything going on well. At this island there is a printing establishment and four Wesleyan Mission families. Here, and at the Haapai Groupe, all are professedly Christian. On the faithful and untiring labours of his servants on the Friendly Islands, the Lord is pouring out His Spirit, though, perhaps, not so largely as in some former times ; yet, the effects, at present, are such as to fill every Christian heart with joy. The Word of God, in their own language, is daily perused, knowledge is increasing, sinners are converted, and souls are ripening for glory. The climate and productions of the Friendly Islands are similar to those of the Feejees. Their commerce is confined chiefly to cocoanut-oil. Vavau is visited more by shipping than any other of the Friendly Islands. This is principally owing to its having an excellent harbour for vessels of any size. Wood and water may be obtained and all kinds of supplies in abundance. On leaving Vavau, we bent our course to Samoa, where we arrived on the 4th of August/ Capt. Worth and his officers, with myself, were much interested with our visit to the various islands. We had abundant opportunities of witnessing the triumphs of the Gospel over the superstitious prejudices and cruel practices of the benighted heathen. We found the charts by Capt. Wilkes, of the United States’ Exploring Expedition, together with his works, of essential service. Your’s respectfully. George Pritchard, H.B.M.C. British Consulate, Upolu, Feb. 1849.