WORSHIP OF CAPTAIN COOK.

Samoan Reporter, Issue 13, 1 July 1851, Page 3

WORSHIP OF CAPTAIN COOK.

Not long since, a lady well known in the literary world inquired of us, whether or not it has been established as a fact, that Capt. Cook, previous to his death, submitted to have divine honours paid him by the natives of the Sandwich Islands. We, of course, can only refer to what has already been published by those who have possessed the best means of ascertaining the truth of what has been alleged against this great navigator. As the interesting Works of the Rev. Sheldon Dibble and Mr. Jarves are but little known in England, we

make no apology for quoting the passages referring to the event: — 44 On the day of his arrival, Cook was conducted to the chief heiau (temple), and presented, in great form, to the idols. He was taken to the most sacred part, and placed before the principal figure, immediately under an altar of wood, on which a putrid hog was deposited. This was held toward him, while the priest repeated a long and rapidly enunciated address ; after which, he was led to the top of a partially decayed scaffolding. Ten men, bearing a large hog and bundles of red cloth, then entered the temple and prostrated themselves before him. The cloth was taken from them by a priest, who encircled Cook with it in numerous folds; and afterward offered the hog to him, in sacrifice. Two priests, alternately and in unison, chanted praises in honor of Lono (their principal god); after which, they led him to the chief idol, which, following their example, he kissed. 44 Similar ceremonies were repeated in another portion of the heiau, where Cook, with one arm supported by the high priest and the other by Capt. King, was placed between tw r o wooden images, and anointed on his face, arms, and hands, w'ith the chewed kernel of a cocoanut wrapped in a cloth. These disgusting rites were succeeded by drinking awa, prepared in the mouths of attendants, and spit out into a drinking vessel ; as the last and most delicate attention, he was fed with swine-meat which had been masticated for him by a filthy old man. 44 No one acquainted with the customs of Polynesia could for a moment have doubted that these rites were intended for adoration. Capt. King, in his account of this affair, only surmises that such mayhave been the intention; but affects to consider it more as the evidence of great respect and friendship, The natives say, that Cook performed his part in this heathen farce without the slightest opposition. The numerous offerings, the idols and temples to which he was borne, the long prayers, recitations, and chants addressed to him must have carried conviction to his mind that it was intended for religious homage, and the whole ceremony a species of deification or consecration of himself. If this were not enough, the fearful respect shown by the common people, who, if he walked out, fled at his presence, or fell and worshipped him, was sufficient to have convinced the most sceptical mind. What opinion then can be entertained of a highly-gifted man, who could thus lend himself to strengthen and perpetuate the dark superstitions of heathenism ? The apology offered was, the expediency of thus securing a powerful influence over the minds of the islanders, an expediency that terminated in his destruction. While the delusion of his divinity lasted, the whole island was heavily taxed to supply the wants of the ships, or contribute to the gratification of their officers and crew r s, and, as was customary in such gifts, no return expected. Their kindnesses and the general jubilee which reigned gave a most favourable impression of native character to their visitors. Had their acquaintance with the language been better, and their intercourse with the common people more extensive, it would have appeared in its true light, as the result of a thorough despotism. On the 19th, Capt. Cook visited another heiau, or more properly a residence of the priests, with the avowed expectation of receiving similar homage; nor was he disappointed. Curiosity and a desire to depict the scene seemed to have been his motives in this case, for he took an artist with him, who sketched the group. Ever afterward, on landing, a priest attended him and regulated the religious ceremonies which constantly took place in his honor. Offerings, chants, and addresses met him at every point. For a brief period, he moved among them an earthly deity, observed, feared, and worshipped.”— History of the Hawaiian Islands, by J. J, Jarves, Esq., 3rd Ed., pp. 59, 60.

“ Captain Cook allowed himself to be worshipped as a god. The people of Kealakeak.ua declined trading with him, and loaded his ship freely with the best productions of the island. The priests approached him in a crouching attitude, uttering prayers, and exhibiting all the formalities of worship. When he went on shore, most of the people fled for fear of him, and others bowed down before him with solemn reverence. He was conducted to the house of ti c gods, and into the sacred enclosure, and received there the h ; ghest homage. In view of this fact, and of the death of Cant. Cook, which speedily ensued, who can fail being admonished to give to God at all times, and even among barbarous tribes, the glory which is his due ? Capt. Cook might have directed the rude and ignorant natives to the groat Jehovah, instead of receiving divine homage himself. If lie had done so, it would have been less painful to contemplate his death.

“ I shall speak here of the death of Capt. Cook, as it developes some traits of the heathen character, and the influence under which the heathen suffer from foreign intercourse.

“ After Capt. Cook had thoroughly recruited his ship, he put out to sea ; but after a day’s sail, he found that one of his masts was defective, and returned to refit it. On his return, the people were friendly, but not so cordial as before. An uneasiness existed in the minds of the natives, from the loss of provisions, bestowed without compensation, and on account of the alienation of their wives, occasioned by the protracted stay of the ship's crew. There was then a sensitiveness which bordered on hostility, and needed only a fit occasion to become so.

“ Some men of Capt. Cook used violence to the canoe of a certain young chief, whose name was Palea. A skirmish ensued, and Palea was struck with the paddle of a canoe, and levelled with the ground. Soon after, Palea stole a boat from Capt. Cook’s ship. The theft is imputed to revenge. Capt. Cook commanded Kalaniopu, the king of the island, to make search for the boat, and restore it. The king could not restore it, for the natives had already broken it in pieces to obtain the nails, which were to them the articles of the greatest value.

“ Capt. Cook came on shore with armed men, to take the king on board, and to keep him there as security till the boat should be restored. In the meantime, a canoe came from an adjoining district, and passed near the ship. In the canoe were two chiefs of some rank, Kekuhaupio and Kalimu. From some misunderstanding not distinctly know n, the canoe was fired upon from the ship, and Kalimu was killed. Kekuhaupio made the greatest speed, till he reached the place of the king, where Capt. Cook also was, and communicated the intelligence of the death of the chief. The attendants of the king were enraged, and showed signs of hostility; but were restrained by the thought, that Capt. Cook was a god. At that instant, a warrior, with a spear in his hand, approached Capt. Cook, but not in a hostile attitude; but Capt. Cook, from the enraged appearance of the multitude, was suspicious of him, and fired upon him with his pistol. Then followed a scene of confu-

sion, and, in the midst of it, Capt., Cook struck a certain chief with his sword, whose name was Kalaimanokahoowaha. The chief instinctively seized Capt. Cook with a strong hand, designing merely to hold him, and not to take his life ; for lie supposed him to be a god. Capt. Cook struggled to free himself from the grasp, and was thrown upon the earth. As he fell, he uttered a groan, and the people immediately exclaimed, 4 He groans! he is not a god!’ and instantly slew him. Such was the melancholy death of Capt. Cook.” — History of the Sandwich Islands, by S. Dibble,pp. 27 —31. Painful though it be to entertain the idea of an enlightened man so to degrade himself, yet the evidence is t >o clear to admit of a doubt. It could arise from no mistake, on his part, as to the meaning of such ceremonies. He was not so ignorant of the language nor of the customs of the natives as to make him misunderstand the intentions of those who offered the gifts. If so, how like to one of old : “ The people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a god, and not of a man ; and immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory.”