Some days after leaving this sound our navigators came to an inlet,

from which great things were expected. Hopes were strongly

entertained, that it would be found to communicate either with the sea

to the north, or with Baffin's or Hudson's Bay to the east; and

accordingly it became the object of very accurate and serious

examination. The captain was soon persuaded that the expectations

formed from it were groundless; notwithstanding which, he persisted in

the search of a passage, more, indeed, to satisfy other people, than

to confirm his own opinion. In consequence of a complete investigation

of the inlet, indubitable marks occurred of its being a river. This

river, without seeing the least appearance of its source, was traced

by our voyagers, as high as the latitude of 61° 34', and the longitude

of 210°, being seventy leagues from its entrance. During the course of

the navigation, on the first of June, Lieutenant King was ordered on

shore, to display the royal flag, and to take possession of the

country in his majesty's name. The lieutenant, at the same time,

buried in the ground a bottle, containing some pieces of English coin,

of the year 1772, and a paper, on which the names of the ships were

inscribed, and the date of the present discovery. The great river now

discovered, promises to vie with the most considerable ones already

known; and, by itself and its branches, lies open to a very extensive

inland communication. If, therefore, the knowledge of it should be of

future service, the time which was spent in exploring it ought the

less to be regretted. But to Captain Cook, who had a much greater

object in view, the delay that was hence occasioned was a real loss,

because the season was advancing apace. It was, however, a

satisfaction to him to reflect, that if he had not examined this very

considerable inlet, it would have been assumed, by speculative

fabricators of geography, as a fact, that there was a passage through

it to the North Sea, or to Baffin's or Hudson's Bay. Perhaps, too, it

would have been marked, on future maps of the world, with greater

precision, and more, certain signs of reality, than the invisible,

because imaginary, Straits of de Fuca and de Fonte. In describing the

inlet, our commander had left a blank which was not filled up with any

particular name; and, therefore, the Earl of Sandwich directed, with

the greatest propriety, that it should be called Cook's River.

All the natives who were met with, during the examination of this

river, appeared, from every mark of resemblance, to be of the same

nation with the inhabitants of Prince Willam's Sound; but from the

people of Nootka, or King George's Sound, they essentially differed,

both in their persons and their language. The only things which were

seen among them, that were not of their own manufacture, were a few

glass beads, the iron points of their spears, and knives of the same

metal. Whencesoever these articles might be derived, it was evident,

that they had never had any immediate intercourse with the Russians;

since, if that had been the case, our voyagers would scarcely have

found them clothed in such valuable skins as those of the sea-otter. A

very beneficial fur-trade might undoubtedly be carried on with the

inhabitants of this vast coast. But without a practicable northern

passage, the situation is too remote to render it probable, that Great

Britain should hence ever derive any material advantage; though it is

impossible to say with certainty, how far the spirit of commerce, for

which the English nation is so eminently distinguished, may extend.

The most valuable, or rather the only valuable skins, which Captain

Cook saw on the west side of America, were those of the sea-otter; for

as to the skins of all the other animals of the country, and

especially of the foxes and martins, they seemed to be of an inferior

quality.

It was on the 6th of June that our navigators got clear of Cook's

River. Proceeding in the course of their discoveries, when they were

sailing, on the 19th, amidst the group of islands, which were called,

by Beering, Schumagin's Islands, Captain Clerke fired three guns, and

brought to, expressing by the proper signals, that he wished to speak

with Captain Cook. At this our commander was not a little alarmed; and

as no apparent danger had been remarked in the passage through the

channel where the vessels now were, it was apprehended, that some

accident, such as springing a leak, must have happened. On Captain

Clerke's coming on board the Resolution, he related that several of

the natives had followed his ship; that one of them had made many

signs, taking off his cap, and bowing after the manner of Europeans;

and that, at length, he had fastened to a rope, which was handed down

to him, a small thin wooden case or box. Having delivered his parcel

safe, and spoken something, accompanied with more signs, the canoes

dropped astern, and left the Discovery. On opening the box, a piece of

paper was found, folded up carefully, upon which something was

written, that was reasonably supposed to be in the Russian language.

To the paper was prefixed the date 1778, and in the body of the note

there was a reference to the year 1776. Although no person on board

was learned enough to decipher the alphabet of the writer, his

numerals sufficiently marked, that others had preceded our voyagers in

visiting this dreary part of the globe; and the prospect of soon

meeting with men, who were united to them in ties somewhat closer than

those of our common nature, and who were not strangers to the arts and

commerce of civilized life, could not but afford a sensible

satisfaction to people who, for such a length of time, had been

conversant with the savages of the Pacific Ocean, and of the North

American continent. Captain Clerke was, at first, of opinion that some

Russians had been shipwrecked; but no such idea occurred to Captain

Cook. He rather thought, that the paper contained a note of

information, left by some Russian traders, to be delivered to the next

of their countrymen who should arrive; and that the natives, seeing

the English pass, and supposing them to be Russians, had resolved to

bring off the note. Accordingly, our commander pursued his voyage,

without inquiring farther into the matter.

On the 21st, amongst some hills, on the main land, that towered above

the clouds to a most amazing height, one was discovered to have a

volcano, which continually threw up vast columns of black smoke. It

doth not stand far from the coast; and it lies in the latitude of 54°

48', and the longitude of 195° 45'. The mountain was rendered

remarkable by its figure, which is a complete cone, and the volcano is

at the very summit. While, in the afternoon of the same day, during a

calm of three hours the English were fishing with great success for

halibuts, a small canoe, conducted by one man, came to them from an

island in the neighbourhood. On approaching the ship, he took off his

cap, and bowed, as the native had done, who had visited the Discovery

a day or two before. From the acquired politeness of these people, as

well as from the note already mentioned, it was evident that the

Russians must have a communication and traffic with them; and of this

a fresh proof occurred in the present visitor; for he wore a pair of

green cloth breeches, and a jacket of black cloth, or stuff, under the

gut-shirt or frock of his own country.

In the prosecution of the voyage, on the 26th, there was so thick a

fog, that our navigators could not see a hundred yards before them;

notwithstanding which, as the weather was moderate, the captain did

not intermit his course. At length, however, being alarmed at the

sound of breakers on one side of the ship, he immediately brought her

to, and came to anchor; and the Discovery, by his order, did the same.

A few hours after, the fog having in some degree cleared away, it

appeared, that both the vessels had escaped a very imminent danger.

Providence, in the dark, had conducted them between rocks which our

commander would not have ventured to pass through in a clear day, and

had conveyed them to an anchoring place, as good as he could possibly

have fixed upon, had the choice been entirely at his option.

On the 27th, our voyagers reached an island, that is known by the name

of Oonalashka; the inhabitants of which behaved with a degree of

politeness uncommon to savage tribes. A young man, who had overset his

canoe, being obliged by this accident to come on board the ship, went

down into Captain Cook's cabin, upon the first invitation, without

expressing the least reluctance or uneasiness. His own clothes being

wet, the captain gave him others, in which he dressed himself with as

much ease as any Englishman could have done. From the behaviour of

this youth, and that of some of the rest of the natives, it was

evident, that these people were no strangers to Europeans, and to

several of their customs. There was something, however, in the English

ships, that greatly excited their attention; for such as could not

come off in canoes, assembled on the neighbouring hills to look at

them. In one instance it was apparent, that the inhabitants were so

far from having made any progress in politeness, that they were still

immersed in the most savage manners. For as our commander was walking

along the shore, on the 29th, he met with a group of them, of both

sexes, who were seated on the grass, at a repast, consisting of raw

fish, which they seemed to eat with as much relish, as persons in

civilized life would experience from a turbot, served up in the

richest sauce. Soon after the vessels had come to an anchor at

Oonalashka, a native of the island brought on board such another note

as had been given to Captain Clerke. He presented it to Captain Cook;

but, as it was written in the Russian language, and could be of no use

to the English, though it might be of consequence to others, the

captain returned it to the bearer, and dismissed him with a few

presents; for which he expressed his thanks by making several low bows

as he retired.

On the 2nd of July, our voyagers put to sea from Oonalashka; and,

pursuing their course of navigation and discovery, came, on the 16th,

within sight of a promontory, near which our commander ordered

Lieutenant Williamson to land, that he might see what direction the

coast took beyond it, and what the country produced. Accordingly, Mr.

Williamson went on shore, and reported, on his return, that, having

landed on the point, and climbed the highest hill, he found that the

farthest part of the coast in sight bore nearly north. At the same

time, he took possession of the country in his majesty's name, and

left a bottle, in which was enclosed a piece of paper, containing an

inscription of the names of the ships, together with the date of the

discovery. To the promontory he gave the name of Cape Newenham. The

land, as far as Mr. Williamson could see, produces neither tree nor

shrub; but the lower grounds were not destitute of grass, and of some

other plants, very few of which were in flower.

When our navigators, on the 3rd of August, had advanced to the

latitude of 62° 34', a great loss was sustained by them in the death

of Mr. Anderson, the surgeon of the Resolution, who had been lingering

under a consumption for more than twelve months. He was a young man of

a cultivated understanding and agreeable manners, and was well skilled

in his own profession; besides which, he had acquired a considerable

degree of knowledge in other branches of science. How useful an

assistant he was to Captain Cook, hath often appeared in the present

narrative. Had his life been spared, the public would undoubtedly have

received from him such communications, on various parts of the natural

history of the several places that had been visited, as would justly

have entitled him to very high commendation. The proofs of his

abilities that now remain, will hand down the name of Anderson, in

conjunction with that of Cook, to posterity. Soon after he had

breathed his last, land having been seen at a distance, which was

supposed to be an island, our commander honoured it with the

appellation of Anderson's Island. The next day he removed Mr. Law, the

surgeon of the Discovery, into the Resolution, and appointed Mr.

Samwell, the surgeon's first mate of the Resolution, to be surgeon of

the Discovery.

On the 9th, Captain Cook came to an anchor under a point of land, to

which he gave the name of Cape Prince of Wales, and which is

remarkable by being the most western extremity of America hitherto

explored. This extremity is distant from the eastern Cape of Siberia

only thirteen leagues: and thus our commander had the glory of

ascertaining the vicinity of the two continents, which had only been

conjectured from the reports of the neighbouring Asiatic inhabitants,

and the imperfect observations of the Russian navigators.

Resuming his course on the 10th, Captain Cook anchored in a bay, the

land of which was at first supposed to be part of the island of

Alaschka, which is laid down in Mr. Staehlin's map. But, from the

figure of the coast, from the situation of the opposite shore of

America, and from the longitude, the captain soon began to think, that

it was more probably the country of the Tschutski, on the eastern

extremity of Asia, which had been explored by Beering in 1728. In the

result it appeared, that this was in fact the case. Our commander

became fully satisfied in the farther progress of his voyage, that Mr.

Staehlin's map must be erroneous; and he had the honour of restoring

the American continent to that space which the geographer now

mentioned had occupied with his imaginary island of Alaschka.

From the Bay of St. Lawrence, belonging to the country of the

Tschutski, our navigators steered, on the 11th, to the east, in order

to get nearer to the coast of America. After that, proceeding to the

north, they reached, on the 17th, the latitude of 70° 33'. On this

day, a brightness was perceived in the northern horizon, like that

which is reflected from ice, and is commonly called the _blink_.

This was at first but little noticed, from a supposition that there

was no probability of meeting with ice so soon: and yet the sharpness

of the air, and the gloominess of the weather, had, for two or three

days past, seemed to indicate a sudden change. In about an hour's

time, the sight of a large field of ice left Captain Cook no longer in

doubt with regard to the cause of the brightness of the horizon. The

ships, in the same afternoon, being then in the latitude of 70° 41',

were close to the edge of the ice, and not able to stand on any

farther. On the 18th, when the vessels were in the latitude of 70°

44', the ice on the side of them was as compact as a wall, and was

judged to be at least ten or twelve feet in height. Farther to the

north, it appeared to be much higher. Its surface was extremely

rugged, and in different places there were seen upon it pools of

water. A prodigious number of sea-horses lay upon the ice; and some of

them, on the nineteenth, were procured for food, there being at this

time a want of fresh provisions. When the animals were brought to the

vessels, it was no small disappointment to many of the seamen, who had

feasted their eyes for several days with the prospect of eating them,

to find that they were not sea-cows, as they had supposed, but

sea-horses. The disappointment would not have been occasioned, or the

difference known, had there not happened to be one or two sailors on

board who had been in Greenland, and who declared what these animals

were, and that it never was customary to eat of them. Such, however,

was the anxiety for a change of diet, as to overcome this prejudice.

Our voyagers lived upon the sea-horses as long as they lasted; and

there were few who did not prefer them to the salt meat.

Captain Cook continued, to the 29th, to traverse the Icy Sea beyond

Beering's Strait, in various directions, and through numberless

obstructions and difficulties. Every day the ice increased, so as to

preclude all hopes of attaining, at least during the present year the

grand object of the voyage. Indeed, the season was now so far

advanced, and the time in which the frost was expected to set in was

so near at hand, that it would have been totally inconsistent with

prudence, to have made any farther attempts, till the next summer, at

finding a passage into the Atlantic. The attention, therefore, of our

commander was now directed to other important and necessary concerns.

It was of great consequence to meet with a place where our navigators

might be supplied with wood and water. But the point which principally

occupied the captain's thoughts was, how he should spend the winter,

so as to make some improvements in geography and navigation, and, at

the same time, to be in a condition to return to the north, in farther

search of a passage, in the ensuing summer.

Before Captain Cook proceeded far to the south, he employed a

considerable time in examining the sea and coasts in the neighbourhood

of Beering's Strait, both on the side of Asia and America. In this

examination, he ascertained the accuracy of Beering, so far as he

went; demonstrated the errors with which Staehlin's map of the New

Northern Archipelago abounds; and made large additions to the

geographical knowledge of this part of the world. 'It reflects,' as

Mr. Coxe justly observes, 'the highest honour even on the British

name, that our great navigator extended his discoveries much farther

in one expedition, and at so great a distance from the point of his

departure, than the Russians accomplished in a long series of years,

and in parts belonging or contiguous to their own empire.'

On the 2nd of October, our voyagers came within sight of the island of

Oonalashka, and anchored the next day in Samganoodha harbour. Here the

first concern was to put the ships under the necessary repair; and,

while the carpenters were employed in this business, one third of the

people had permission, by turns, to go and collect the berries with

which the island abounds, and, which, though now beginning to be in a

state of decay, did not a little contribute, in conjunction with

spruce-beer, effectually to eradicate every seed of the scurvy, that

might exist in either of the vessels. Such a supply of fish was

likewise procured, as not only served for present consumption, but

afforded a quantity to be carried out to sea; so that hence a

considerable saving was made of the provisions of the ships, which was

at this time an object of no small importance.

Captain Cook, on the 8th, received by the hands of an Oonalashka man,

named Derramoushk, a very singular present, which was that of a rye

loaf, or rather a pie in the form of a loaf, for it enclosed some

salmon, highly seasoned with pepper. This man had the like present for

Captain Clerke, and a note for each of the two captains, written in a

character which none on board could understand. It was natural to

suppose, that the presents came from some Russians in the

neighbourhood; and therefore a few bottles of rum, wine, and porter,

were sent to these unknown friends in return; it being rightly judged,

that such articles would be more acceptable than any thing besides

which it was in the power of our navigators to bestow. Corporal

Lediard of the marines,[12] an intelligent man, was, at the same time,

directed to accompany Derramoushk, for the purpose of gaining farther

information; and with orders, if he met with any Russians, that he

should endeavour to make them understand that our voyagers were

Englishmen, and the friends and allies of their nation. On the 10th

the corporal returned with three. Russian seamen, or furriers, who,

with several others, resided at Egoochshac, where they had a

dwellinghouse, some storehouses,[12] and a sloop of about thirty tons

burden. One of these men was either master or mate of this vessel;

another of them wrote a very good hand, and was acquainted with

figures: and all of them were sensible and well behaved persons, who

were ready to give Captain Cook every possible degree of information.

The great difficulty, in the reception and communication of

intelligence, arose from the want of an interpreter. On the 14th, a

Russian landed at Oonalashka, whose name was Erasim Gregorioff Sin

Ismyloff, and who was the principal person among his countrymen in

this and the neighbouring islands. Besides the intelligence which our

commander derived from his conversations with Ismyloff, and which were

carried on by signs, assisted by figures and other characters, he

obtained from him the sight of two charts, and was permitted to copy

them. Both of them were manuscripts, and bore every mark of

authenticity. The first included the Penshinskian Sea; the coast of

Tartary, down to the latitude of 41°; the Curil Islands and the

peninsula of Kamtschatka. But it was the second chart that was the

most interesting to Captain Cook; for it comprehended all the

discoveries made by the Russians to the eastward of Kamtschatka,

towards America; which, however, exclusively of the voyages of Beering

and Tscherikoff, amounted to little or nothing. Indeed, all the people

with whom the captain conversed at Oonalashka, agreed in assuring him,

over and over again, that they knew of no other islands, besides those

which were laid down upon this chart; and that no Russian had ever

seen any part of the continent of America to the northward, excepting

that which lies opposite to the country of the Tschutskis.

[Footnote 12: This Corporal Lediard is an extraordinary man,

something of whose history cannot fail of being entertaining to my

readers. In the winter of 1768, he set out on the singular

undertaking of walking across the continent of America; for the

accomplishment of which purpose, he determined to travel by the

way of Siberia, and to procure a passage from that country to the

opposite American coast. Being an American by birth, and having;

no means of raising the money necessary for his expenses, a

subscription was raised for him by Sir Joseph Banks, and some

other gentlemen, accounting, in the whole to a little more than

fifty pounds. Vith this sum he proceeded to Hamburgh, frum which

place he went to Copenhagen, and thence to Petersburgh, where he

arrived in the beginning of March, 1787. In his journey from

Copenhagen to Petersburgh, finding that the gulf of Bothnia was

not frozen over, he was obliged to walk round the whole of it, by

Tornæo. At Petersburgh he staid till the 21st of May, when he

obtained leave to accompany a convoy of military stores, which at

that time was proceeding to Mr. Bilious, who had been his shipmate

in Captain Cook's voyage, and who was then employed by the Empress

of Russia, for the purpose of making discoveries in Siberia, and

on the north-west coast of America. With this convoy Mr. Lediard

set out, and in August reached the city of Irkutsk in Siberia.

After that, he proceeded to the town of Yakutsk, where he met with

Captain Billings. From this place he went back to Irkutsh, to

spend a part of the winter; proposing, in the spring, to return to

Yakutsk, in order to proceed in the summer to Okotsk.

Hitherto, Mr. Lediard had gone on prosperously, and flattered

himself with the hopes of succeeding in his undertaking. But, in

January last (1788), in consequence of an express from the

empress, he was arrested, and, to half an hour's time, carried

away, under the guard of two soldiers and an officer, in a post

sledge, for Moscow, without his clothes, money, and papers. From

Moscow he was conveyed to the city of Moialoff in White Russia,

and thence to the town of Tolochin in Poland. There he was

informed, that her majesty's orders were, that he was never to

enter her dominions again without her express permission. During

all this time, he suffered the greatest hardships, from sickness,

fatigue, and want of rest; so that he was almost reduced to a

skeleton. From Tolochin he made his way to Konigsberg; having had,

as he says, a miserable journey, in a miserable country, in a

miserable season, in miserable health, and a miserable purse; and

disappointed of his darling enterprise. Mr. Lediard informs Sir

Joseph Banks, to whom he sent, from time to time, a full account

of his transactions, that, though he had been retarded in his

pursuits by malice, he had not travelled totally in vain; his

observations to Asia being, perhaps, as complete as a longer visit

would have rendered them. From his last letter it appears, that he

proposed to return, as speedily as possible, from Konigsberg to

England.]

When, on the 21st, Mr. Ismyloff took his final leave of the English

navigators, our commander intrusted to his care a letter to the lords

commissioners of the admiralty, in which was enclosed a chart of all

the northern coasts the captain had visited. It was expected, that

there would be an opportunity of sending this letter, in the ensuing

spring, to Kamtschatka or Okotsk, and that it would reach Petersburgh

during the following winter. Mr. Ismyloff, who faithfully and

successfully discharged the trust our commander had reposed in him,

seemed to possess abilities, that might entitle him to a higher

station in life than that which he occupied. He had a considerable

knowledge of astronomy, and was acquainted with the most useful

branches of the mathematics. Captain Cook made him a present of an

Hadley's octant; and, though it was probably the first he had ever

seen, he understood, in a very short time, the various uses to which

that instrument can be applied.

While the ships lay at Oonalashka, our voyagers did not neglect to

make a diligent inquiry into the productions of the island, and the

general manners of the inhabitants. On these, as being in a great

measure similar to objects which have already been noticed, it is not

necessary to enlarge. There is one circumstance, however, so

honourable to the natives, that it must not be omitted. They are, to

all appearance, the most peaceable and inoffensive people our

commander had ever met with; and, with respect to honesty, they might

serve as a pattern to countries that are in the highest state of

civilization. A doubt is suggested, whether this disposition may not

have been the consequence of their present subjection to the Russians.

From the affinity which was found to subsist between the dialects of

the Greenlanders and Esquimaux, and those of the inhabitants of

Norton's Sound and Oonalashka, there is strong reason to believe, that

all these nations are of the same extraction; and, if that be the

case, the existence of a northern communication of some kind, by sea,

between the west of America and the east side, through Baffin's Bay,

can scarcely be doubted; which communication, nevertheless, may

effectually be shut up against ships, by ice and other impediments.

While the vessels lay in Samganoodha harbour, Captain Cook exerted his

usual diligence in making nautical and astronomical observations. All

things, on the 26th, having been gotten ready for his departure, he

put to sea on that day, and sailed for the Sandwich Islands; it being

his intention to spend a few months there, and then to direct his

course to Kamtschatka, so as to endeavour to reach that country by the

middle of May, in the ensuing summer.

On the 26th of November, when the ships had proceeded southward till

they came to the latitude of 20° 55', land was discovered, which

proved to be an island of the name of Mowee, that had not hitherto

been visited. It is one of the group of the Sandwich Islands. As it

was of the last importance to procure a supply of provisions at these

islands, and experience had taught our commander, that he could have

had no chance of succeeding in his object, if it were left to every

man's discretion to traffic for what he pleased, and in what manner he

pleased; the captain published an order, prohibiting all persons from

trading, excepting such as should be appointed by himself and Captain

Clerke. Even these persons were enjoined to trade only for provisions

and refreshments. While our navigators lay off Mowee, which was for

some days, a friendly intercourse was maintained with the inhabitants.

Another island was discovered on the 30th, which is called by the

natives Owhyhee. As it appeared to be of greater extent and importance

than any of the islands which had yet been visited in this part of the

world, Captain Cook spent nearly seven weeks in sailing round, and

examining its coast. Whilst he was thus employed, the inhabitants came

off, from time to time, in their canoes, and readily engaged in

traffic with our voyagers. In the conduct of this business, the

behaviour of the islanders was more entirely free from suspicion and

reserve than our commander had ever yet experienced. Noteven the

people of Otaheite itself, with whom he had been so intimately and

repeatedly connected, had displayed such a full confidence in the

integrity and good treatment of the English.

Among the articles procured from the natives, was a quantity of

sugarcane. Upon a trial, Captain Cook found that a strong decoction of

it produced a very palatable beer; on which account, he ordered some

more to be brewed, for general use. When, however, the barrel was

broached, not one of the crew would taste of the liquor. As the

captain had no motive in preparing this beverage, but that of sparing

the rum and other spirits for a colder climate, he did not exert

either authority or persuasion to prevail upon the men to change their

resolution; for he knew, that there was no danger of the scurvy, so

long as a plentiful supply could be obtained of different vegetables.

Nevertheless, that he might not be disappointed in his views, he gave

orders that no grog should be served in the ships; and he himself,

together with the officers, continued to make use of the sugarcane

beer, which was much improved by the addition of a few hops, that

chanced to be still on board. There could be no reasonable doubt of

its being a very wholesome liquor; and yet the inconsiderate crew

alleged that it would be injurious to their health. No people are more

averse to every kind of innovation than seamen, and their prejudices

are extremely difficult to be conquered. It was, however, by acting

contrary to these prejudices, and by various deviations from

established practice, that Captain Cook had been enabled to preserve

his men from that dreadful distemper, the scurvy, which, perhaps, has

destroyed more of our sailors, in their peaceful voyages, than have

fallen by the enemy in military expeditions.

As the captain was pursuing his examination of the coast of Owhyhee,

it having fallen calm at one o'clock in the morning of the 19th of

December, the Resolution was left to the mercy of a north-easterly

swell, which impelled her fast towards the land; so that, long before

daybreak, lights were seen from the land, which was not more than a

league distant. The night, at the same time, was dark, with thunder,

lightning and rain. As soon as it was light, a dreadful surf, within

half a league of the vessel, appeared breaking from the shore; and it

was evident, that our navigators had been in the most perilous

situation: nor was the danger yet over; for to consequence of the

veering of the wind, they were but just able to keep their distance

from the coast. What rendered their situation more alarming was, that

a rope of the main topsail having given way, this occasioned the sail

to be rent in two. In the same manner, the two topgallant sails gave

way, though they were not half worn out. However, a favourable

opportunity was seized of getting others to the yards; and the

Resolution again proceeded in safety.

On the 16th of January, 1779, canoes arrived in such numbers from all

parts, that there were not fewer than a thousand about the two ships,

most of them crowded with people, and well laden with hogs, and other

productions of the islands. It was a satisfactory proof of their

friendly intentions, that there was not a single person amongst them

who had with him a weapon of any kind; trade and curiosity alone

appearing to be the motives which actuated their conduct. Among such

multitudes, however, as, at times, were on board, it will not be

deemed surprising, that some should betray a thievish disposition. One

of them took out of the Resolution a boat's rudder; and made off with

it so speedily, that it could not be recovered. Captain Cook judged

this to be a favourable opportunity of shewing to these people the use

of fire-arms; and accordingly he ordered two or three muskets, and as

many four-pounders, to be fired over the canoe, which carried off the

rudder. It not being intended that any of the shot should take effect,

the surrounding multitude of the natives seemed to be more surprised

than terrified.

Mr. Bligh, having been sent to examine a neighbouring bay, reported,

on his return, that it had good anchorage and fresh water, and that it

was in an accessible situation. Into this bay, therefore the captain

resolved to carry the ships, in order to refit, and to obtain every

refreshment which the place could afford. As night approached, the

greater part of the Indians retired on shore; but numbers of them

requested permission to sleep on board; in which request, curiosity

(at least with regard to several of them) was not their sole motive;

for it was found, the next morning, that various things were missing;

on which account our commander determined not to entertain so many

persons on board another night.

On the 17th, the ships came to an anchor in the bay which had been

examined by Mr. Bligh, and which is called Karakakooa by the

inhabitants. At this time, the vessels continued to be much crowded

with natives and were surrounded with a multitude of canoes. Captain

Cook, in the whole course of his voyages, had never seen so numerous a

body of people assembled in one place. For besides those who had come

off to the English in their canoes, all the shore of the bay was

covered with spectators, and many hundreds were swimming round the

ships like shoals of fish. Our navigators could not avoid being

greatly impressed with the singularity of this scene; and perhaps

there were few on board that now lamented the want of success which

had attended the endeavours of getting homeward, the last summer, by a

northern passage. 'To this disappointment,' says the captain, 'we owed

our having it in our power to revisit the Sandwich Islands, and to

enrich our voyage with a discovery, which, though the last, seemed, in

many respects, to be the most important that had hitherto been made by

Europeans, throughout the extent of the Pacific Ocean.'

Such is the sentence that concludes our commander's journal: and the

satisfaction with which this sentence appears to have been written,

cannot fail of striking the mind of every reader. Little did Captain

Cook then imagine, that a discovery which promised to add no small

honour to his name, and to be productive of very agreeable

consequences, should be so fatal in the result. Little did he think,

that the island of Owhyhee was destined to be the last scene of his

exploits, and the cause of his destruction.

The reception which the captain met with from the natives, on his

proceeding to anchor in Karakakooa Bay, was flattering in the highest

degree. They came off from the shore in astonishing numbers, and

expressed their joy by singing and shouting, and by exhibiting a

variety of wild and extravagant gestures. Pareea, a young man of great

authority, and Kaneena, another chief, had already attached themselves

to our commander, and were very useful in keeping their countrymen

from being troublesome.

During the long cruise of our navigators off the island of Owhyhee,

the inhabitants had almost universally behaved with great fairness and

honesty in their dealings, and had not shewn the slightest propensity

to theft: and this was a fact the more extraordinary, as those with

whom our people had hitherto maintained any intercourse, were of the

lowest rank, being either servants or fishermen. But, after the

arrival of the Resolution and Discovery in Karakakooa Bay, the case

was greatly altered. The immense crowd of islanders that blocked up

every part of the ships, not only afforded frequent opportunities of

pilfering without risk of detection; but held out, even if they should

be detected, a prospect of escaping with impunity, from the

superiority of their numbers to that of the English. Another

circumstance, to which the alteration in the conduct of the natives

might be ascribed, arose from the presence and encouragement of their

chiefs, into whose possession the booty might be traced, and whom

there was reason to suspect of being the instigators of the

depredations that were committed.

Soon after the Resolution had gotten into her station, Pareea and

Kaneena brought on board a third chief, named Koah, who was

represented as being a priest, and as having, in his early youth, been

a distinguished warrior. In the evening, Captain Cook attended by Mr.

Bayley and Mr. King, accompanied Koah on shore. Upon this occasion,

the captain was received with very peculiar and extraordinary

ceremonies; with ceremonies that indicated the highest respect on the

part of the natives, and which, indeed, seemed to fall little short of

adoration.

One of the principal objects that engaged our commander's attention at

Owhyhee, was the salting of hogs for sea-store; in which his success

was far more complete than had been attained in any former attempt of

the same kind. It doth not appear, that experiments relative to this

subject had been made by the navigators of any nation before Captain

Cook. His first trials were in 1774, during his second voyage round

the world; when his success, though very imperfect, was nevertheless,

sufficient to encourage his farther efforts, in a matter of so much

importance. As the present voyage was likely to be protracted a year

beyond the time for which the ships were victualled, he was under a

necessity of providing, by some such method, for the subsistence of

the crews, or of relinquishing the prosecution of his discoveries.

Accordingly, he lost no opportunity of renewing his attempts; and the

event answered his most sanguine expectations. Captain King brought

home with him some of the pork, which was pickled at Owhyhee in

January, 1779; and, upon its being tasted by several persons in

England about Christmas, 1780, it was found to be perfectly sound and

wholesome. It seemed to be destined, that in every instance Captain

Cook should excel all who had gone before him, in promoting the

purposes of navigation.

On the 26th, the captain had his first interview with Terreeoboo, the

king of the island. The meeting was conducted with a variety of

ceremonies, among which, the custom of making an exchange of names,

which, amongst all the islanders of the Pacific Ocean is the strongest

pledge of friendship, was observed. When the formalities of the

interview were over, our commander carried Terreeoboo, and as many

chiefs as the pinnace could hold, on board the Resolution. They were

received, on this occasion, with every mark of respect that could be

shown them; and, in return for a beautiful and splendid feathered

cloak which the king had bestowed on Captain Cook, the captain put a

linen shirt on his majesty, and girt his own hanger round him.

In the progress of the intercourse which was maintained between our

voyagers and the natives, the quiet and inoffensive behaviour of the

latter took away every apprehension of danger; so that the English

trusted themselves among them at all times, and in all situations. The

instances of kindness and civility which our people experienced from

them were so numerous, that they could not easily be recounted. A

society of priests, in particular, displayed a generosity and

munificence, of which no equal example had hitherto been given: for

they furnished a constant supply of hogs and vegetables to our

navigators, without ever demanding a return, or even hinting at it in

the most distant manner. All this was said to be done at the expense

of a great man among them, who was at the head of their body, whose

name was Kaoo, and who on other occasions manifested his attachment to

the English. There was not always so much reason to be satisfied with

the conduct of the warrior chiefs, or earees, as with that of the

priests. Indeed, the satisfaction that was derived from the usual

gentleness and hospitality of the inhabitants, was frequently

interrupted by the propensity of many of them to stealing; and this

circumstance was the more distressing, as it sometimes obliged our

commander and the other officers to have recourse to acts of severity,

which they would willingly have avoided, if the necessity of the case

had not absolutely called for them.

Though the kind and liberal behaviour of the natives continued without

remission, Terreeoboo, and his chiefs, began at length to be very

inquisitive about the time in which our voyagers were to take their

departure. Nor will this be deemed surprising, when it is considered,

that, during sixteen days in which the English had been in the bay of

Karakakooa, they had made an enormous consumption of hogs and

vegetables. It did not appear, however, that Terreeoboo had any other

in view in his inquiries, than a desire of making sufficient

preparation for dismissing our navigators with presents, suitable to

the respect and kindness towards them which he had always displayed.

For, on his being informed, that they were to leave the island in a

day or two, it was observed, that a kind of proclamation was

immediately made through the villages, inquiring the people to bring

in their hogs and vegetables, for the king to present to the

orono,[13] on his quitting the country. Accordingly, on the 3rd of

February, being the day preceding the time which had been fixed for

the sailing of the ships, Terreeoboo invited Captain Cook and Mr. King

to attend him to the place where Kaoo resided. On their arrival, they

found the ground covered with parcels of cloth, at a small distance

from which lay an immense quantity of vegetables; and near them was a

large herd of hogs. At the close of the visit, the greater part of the

cloth, and the whole of the hogs and vegetables, were given by

Terreeoboo to the captain and Mr. King; who were astonished at the

value and magnificence of the present; for it far exceeded every thing

of the kind which they had seen either at the Friendly or Society

Islands. Mr. King had in so high a degree conciliated the affections,

and gained the esteem, of the inhabitants of Owhyhee, that, with

offers of the most flattering nature, he was strongly solicited to

remain in the country. Terreeoboo and Kaoo waited upon Captain Cook,

whose son they supposed Mr. King to be, with a formal request, that he

might be left behind. To avoid giving a positive refusal to an offer

which was so kindly intended, the captain told them that he could not

part with Mr. King at that time, but that, on his return to the island

in the next year, he would endeavour to settle the matter to their

satisfaction.

[Footnote 13: Orono was a title of high honour, which had been

bestowed on Captain Cook]

Early on the 4th, the ships sailed out of Karakakooa Bay, being

followed by a large number of canoes. It was our commander's design,

before he visited the other islands, to finish the survey of Owhyhee,

in hopes of meeting with a road better sheltered than the bay he had

just left. In case of not succeeding in this respect, he purposed to

take a view of the south-east part of Mowee, where he was informed

that he should find an excellent harbour.

The circumstances which brought Captain Cook back to Karakakooa Bay,

and the unhappy consequences that followed, I shall give from Mr.

Samwell's narrative of his death. This narrative was, in the most

obliging manner, communicated to me in manuscript, by Mr. Samwell,

with entire liberty to make such use of it as I should judge proper.

Upon a perusal of it, its importance struck me in so strong a light,

that I wished to have it separately laid before the world.

Accordingly, with Mr. Samwell's concurrence, I procured its

publication, that, if any objections should be made to it, I might be

able to notice them in my own work. As the narrative hath continued

for more than two years unimpeached and uncontradicted, I esteem

myself fully authorized to insert it in this place, as containing the

most complete and authentic account of the melancholy catastrophe,

which, at Owhyhee, befell our illustrious navigator and commander.

'On the 6th, we were overtaken by a gale of wind; and the next night,

the Resolution had the misfortune of springing the head of her

foremast, in such a dangerous manner, that Captain Cook was obliged to

return to Keragegooah,[14] in order to have it repaired; for we could

find no other convenient harbour on the island. The same gale had

occasioned much distress among some canoes, that had paid us a visit

from the shore. One of them, with two men and a child on board, was

picked up by the Resolution, and rescued from destruction; the men,

having toiled hard all night, in attempting to reach the land, were so

much exhausted, that they could hardly mount the ship's side. When

they got upon the quarter-deck, they burst into tears, and seemed much

affected with the dangerous situation from which they had escaped; but

the little child appeared lively and cheerful. One of the Resolution's

boats was also so fortunate as to save a man and two women, whose

canoe had been upset by the violence of the waves. They were brought

on board, and, with the others, partook of the kindness and humanity

of Captain Cook.

[Footnote 14: It is proper to take notice, that Mr. Samwell spells

the names of several persons and places differently from what is

dune in the history of the voyage.

For instance, Karakakooa

he calls Ke, rag, e, goo, all,

Terreeoboo Kariopoo,

Kowrowa Kavaroah,

Kaneecab areea Kaneekapo, herei,

Maiha maiha Ka, mea, mea.]

'On the morning of Wednesday, the 10th, we were within a few miles of

the harbour; and were soon joined by several canoes, in which appeared

many of our old acquaintances, who seemed to have come to welcome us

back. Among them was Coo, aha, a priest: he had brought a small pig,

and some cocoa-nuts in his hand, which, after having chanted a few

sentences, he presented to Captain Clerke. He then left us, and

hastened on board the Resolution, to perform the same friendly

ceremonies before Captain Cook. Having but light winds all that day,

we could not gain the harbour. In the afternoon, a chief of the first

rank, and nearly related to Kariopoo, paid us a visit on board the

Discovery. His name was Ka, mea, mea: he was dressed in a very rich

feathered cloak, which he seemed to have brought for sale, but would

part with it for nothing except iron daggers. These the chiefs, some

time before our departure, had preferred to every other article; for,

having received a plentiful supply of hatchets and other tools, they

began to collect a store of warlike instruments. Kameamea procured

nine daggers for his cloak; and, being pleased with his reception, he

and his attendants slept on board that night.

'In the morning of the 11th of February, the ships anchored again in

Keragegooah Bay, and preparation was immediately made for landing the

Resolution's foremast. We were visited but by few of the Indians,

because there were but few in the bay. On our departure, those

belonging to other parts had repaired to their several habitations,

and were again to collect from various quarters, before we could

expect to be surrounded by such multitudes as we had once seen in that

harbour. In the afternoon, I walked about a mile into the country, to

visit an Indian friend, who had, a few days before, come near twenty

miles, in a small canoe, to see me, while the ship lay becalmed. As

the canoe had not left us long before a gale of wind came on. I was

alarmed for the consequence: however, I had the pleasure to find, that

my friend had escaped unhurt, though not without some difficulties. I

take notice of this short excursion, merely because it afforded me an

opportunity of observing, that there appeared no change in the

disposition or behaviour of the inhabitants. I saw nothing that could

induce me to think, that they were displeased with our return, or

jealous of the intention of our second visit. On the contrary, that

abundant good nature, which had always characterized them, seemed

still to glow in every bosom, and to animate every countenance.

'The next day, February the 12th, the ships were put under a taboo, by

the chiefs: a solemnity, it seems, that was requisite to be observed,

before Kariopoo, the king, paid his first visit to Captain Cook, after

his return. He waited upon him the same day, on board the Resolution,

attended by a large train, some of which bore the presents designed

for Captain Cook; who received him in his usual friendly manner, and

gave him several articles in return. This amicable ceremony being

settled, the taboo was disolved; matters went on in the usual train;

and the next day, February the 13th we were visited by the natives in

great numbers: the Resolution's mast was landed, and the astronomical

observatories erected on their former situation. I landed, with

another gentleman, at the town of Kavaroah, where we found a great

number of canoes, just arrived from different parts of the island, and

the Indians busy in constructing temporary huts on the beach, for

their residence during the stay of the ships. On our return on board

the Discovery, we learned, that an Indian had been detected in

stealing the armourer's tongs from the forge, for which he received a

pretty severe flogging, and was sent out of the ship. Notwithstanding

the example made of this man, in the afternoon another had the

audacity to snatch the tongs and a chisel from the same place, with

which he jumped overboard and swam for the shore. The master and a

midshipman were instantly dispatched after him, in the small cutter.

The Indian, seeing himself pursued, made for a canoe; his countrymen

took him on board, and paddled as swift as they could towards the

shore; we fired several muskets at them, but to no effect, for they

soon got out of the reach of our shot. Pareah, one of the chiefs, who

was at that time on board the Discovery, understanding what had

happened, immediately went ashore, promising to bring back the stolen

goods. Our boat was so far distanced, in chasing the canoe which had

taken the thief on board, that he had time to make his escape into the

country. Captain Cook, who was then ashore, endeavoured to intercept

his landing; but it seems, that he was led out of the way by some of

the natives, who had officiously intruded themselves as guides. As the

master was approaching near the landing place, he was met by some of

the Indians in a canoe: they had brought back the tongs and chisel,

together with another article, that we had not missed, which happened

to be the lid of the water cask. Having recovered these things, he was

returning on board, when he was met by the Resolution's pinnace, with

five men in her, who, without any orders, had come from the

observatories to his assistance. Being thus unexpectedly reinforced he

thought himself strong enough to insist upon having the thief, or the

canoe which took him in, delivered up as reprisals. With that view he

turned back; and having found the canoe on the beach, he was preparing

to launch it into the water, when Pareah made his appearance, and

insisted upon his not taking it away, as it was his property. The

officer not regarding him, the chief seized upon him, pinioned his

arms behind, and held him by the hair of his head; on which one of the

sailors struck him with an oar; Pareah instantly quitted the officer,

snatched the oar out of the man's hand, and snapped it in two across

his knee. At length the multitude began to attack our people with

stones. They made some resistance, but were soon overpowered, and

obliged to swim for safety to the small cutter, which lay farther out

than the pinnace. The officers, not being expert swimmers, retreated

to a small rock in the water, where they were closely pursued by the

Indians. One man darted a broken oar at the master; but his foot

slipping at the time, he missed him, which fortunately saved that

officer's life. At last, Pareah interfered, and put an end to their

violence. The gentlemen, knowing that his presence was their only

defence against the fury of the natives, entreated him to stay with

them, till they could get off in the boats; but that he refused, and

left them. The master went to seek assistance from the party at the

observatories; but the midshipman chose to remain in the pinnace. He

was very rudely treated by the mob, who plundered the boat of every

thing that was loose on board, and then began to knock her to pieces,

for the sake of the iron work; but Pareah fortunately returned in time

to prevent her destruction. He had met the other gentleman on his way

to the observatories, and suspecting his errand, had forced him to

return. He dispersed the crowd again, and desired the gentlemen to

return on board; they represented, that all the oars had been taken

out of the boat on which he brought some of them back, and the

gentlemen were glad to get off without farther molestation. They had

not proceeded far, before they were overtaken by Pareah, in a canoe:

he delivered the midshipman's cap, which had been taken from him in

the scuffle, joined noses with them, in token of reconciliation, and

was anxious to know, if Captain Cook would kill him for what had

happened. They assured him of the contrary, and made signs of

friendship to him in return. He then left them, and paddled over to

the town of Kavaroah, and that was the last time we ever saw him.

Captain Cook returned on board soon after, much displeased with the

whole of this disagreeable business; and the same night sent a

lieutenant on board the Discovery to learn the particulars of it, as

it had originated in that ship.

'It was remarkable, that in the midst of the hurry and confusion

attending this affair, Kanynah (a chief who had always been on terms

particularly friendly with us) came from the spot where it happened,

with a hog to sell on board the Discovery: it was of an extraordinary

large size, and he demanded for it a pahowa, or dagger of an unusual

length. He pointed to us, that it must be as long as his arm. Captain

Clerke not having one of that length, told him he would get, one made

for him by the morning; with which being satisfied, he left the hog,

and went ashore without making any stay with us. It will not be

altogether foreign to the subject, to mention a circumstance, that

happened to-day on board the Resolution. An Indian chief asked Captain

Cook, at his table, if he was a Tata Toa; which means a fighting man,

or a soldier. Being answered in the affirmative, he desired to see his

wounds. Captain Cook held out his right hand, which had a scar upon

it, dividing the thumb from the finger, the whole length of the

metacarpal bones. The Indian, being thus convinced of his being a Toa,

put the same question to another gentleman present, but he happened to

have none of those distinguishing marks; the chief then said, that he

himself was a Toa, and shewed the scars of some wounds he had received

in battle. Those who were on duty at the observatories, were

disturbed, during the night, with shrill and melancholy sounds,

issuing from the adjacent villages, which they took to be the

lamentations of the women. Perhaps the quarrel between us might have

filled their minds with apprehension for the safety of their husbands;

but, be that as it may, their mournful cries struck the sentinels with

unusual awe and terror.

'To widen the breach between us, some of the Indians, in the night,

took away the Discovery's large cutter, which lay swamped at the buoy

of one of her anchors: they had carried her off so quietly that we did

not miss her till the morning, Sunday, February the 14th. Captain

Clerke lost no time in waiting upon Captain Cook to acquaint him with

the accident: he returned on board, with orders for the launch and

small cutter, to go, under the command of the second lieutenant, and

lie off the east point of the bay, in order to intercept all canoes

that might attempt to get out; and, if he found it necessary, to fire

upon them. At the same time, the third lieutenant of the Resolution,

with the launch and small cutter, was sent on the same service, to the

opposite point of the bay; and the master was dispatched in the large

cutter, in pursuit of a double canoe, already under sail, making the

best of her way out of the harbour. He soon came up with her, and by

firing a few muskets, drove her on shore, and the Indians left her:

this happened to be the canoe of Omea, a man who bore the title of

Orono. He was on board himself, and it would have been fortunate, if

our people had secured him, for his person was held as sacred as that

of the king. During this time, Captain Cook was preparing to go ashore

himself, at the town of Kavaroah, in order to secure the person of

Kariopoo, before he should have time to withdraw himself to another

part of the island, out of our reach. This appeared the most effectual

step that could be taken, on the present occasion, for the recovery of

the boat. It was the measure he had invariably pursued, in similar

cases, at other islands in these seas, and it had always been attended

with the desired success: in fact, it would be difficult to point out

any other mode of proceeding on these emergencies, likely to attain

the object in view; we had reason to suppose, that the king and his

attendants had fled when the alarm was first given: in that case, it

was Captain Cook's intention to secure the large canoes which were

hauled upon the beach. He left the ship about seven o'clock, attended

by the lieutenant of marines, a serjeant, corporal, and seven private

men: the pinnace's crew were also armed, and under the command of Mr.

Roberts. As they rowed towards the shore, Captain Cook ordered the

launch to leave her station at the west point of the bay, in order to

assist his own boat. This is a circumstance worthy of notice; for it

clearly shews, that he was not unapprehensive of meeting with

resistance from the natives, or unmindful of the necessary preparation

for the safety of himself and his people. I will venture to say, that,

from the appearance of things just at that time, there was not one,

beside himself, who judged that such precaution was absolutely

requisite: so little did his conduct, on the occasion, bear the marks

of rashness, or a precipitate self-confidence! He landed, with the

marines, at the upper end of the town of Kavaroah: the Indians

immediately flocked round, as usual, and shewed him the customary

marks of respect, by prostrating themselves before him.--There were no

signs of hostilities, or much alarm among them. Captain Cook, however,

did not seem willing to trust to appearances; but was particularly

attentive to the disposition of the marines, and to have them kept

clear of the crowd. He first inquired for the king's sons, two youths

who were much attached to him, and generally his companions on board.

Messengers being sent for them, they soon came to him, and informing

him, that their father was asleep, at a house not far from them, he

accompanied them thither, and took the marines along with them. As he

passed along, the natives every where prostrated themselves before

him, and seemed to have lost no part of that respect they had always

shown to his person. He was joined by several chiefs, among whom was

Kanynah, and his brother Koohowrooah. They kept the crowd in order,

according to their usual custom; and, being ignorant of his intention

in coming on shore, frequently asked him, if he wanted any hogs, or

other provisions: he told them that he did not, and that his business

was to see the king. When he arrived at the house, he ordered some of

the Indians to go in, and inform Kariopoo, that he waited without to

speak with him. They came out two or three times, and instead of

returning any answer from the king, presented some pieces of red cloth

to him, which made Captain Cook suspect that he was not in the house;

he therefore desired the lieutenant of marines to go in. The

lieutenant found the old man just awaked from sleep and seemingly

alarmed at the message; but he came out without hesitation. Captain

Cook took him by the hand, and in a friendly manner asked him to go on

board, to which he very readily consented. Thus far matters appeared

in a favourable train, and the natives did not seem much alarmed or

apprehensive of hostility on our side; at which Captain Cook expressed

himself a little surprised, saying, that as the inhabitants of that

town appeared innocent of stealing the cutter, he should not molest

them, but that he must get the king on board. Kariopoo sat down before

his door, and was surrounded by a great crowd: Kanynah and his brother

were both very active in keeping order among them. In a little time,

however, the Indians were observed arming themselves with long spears,

clubs, and daggers, and putting on thick mats, which they use as

armour. This hostile appearance increased, and became more alarming,

on the arrival of two men in a canoe from the opposite side of the

bay, with the news of a chief, called Kareemoo, having been killed by

one of the Discovery's boats. In their passage across, they had also

delivered this account to each of the ships. Upon that information,

the women, who were sitting upon the beach at their breakfasts, and

conversing familiarly with our people in the boats, retired, and a

confused murmur spread through the crowd. An old priest came to

Captain Cook, with a cocoa-nut in his hand, which he held out to him

as a present, at the same time singing very loud. He was often desired

to be silent, but in vain: he continued importunate and troublesome,

and there was no such thing as getting rid of him or his noise: it

seemed as if he meant to divert their attention from his countrymen,

who were growing more tumultuous, and arming themselves in every

quarter. Captain Cook, being at the same time surrounded by a great

crowd, thought his situation rather hazardous: he therefore ordered

the lieutenant of marines to march his small party to the waterside,

where the boats lay within a few yards of the shore: the Indians

readily made a lane for them to pass, and did not offer to interrupt

them. The distance they had to go might be about fifty or sixty yards;

Captain Cook followed, having hold of Kariopoo's hand, who accompanied

him very willingly: he was attended by his wife, two sons, and several

chiefs. The troublesome old priest followed, making the same savage

noise. Keowa, the youngest son, went directly into the pinnace,

expecting his father to follow: but just as he arrived at the

waterside, his wife threw her arms about his neck, and, with the

assistance of two chiefs, forced him to sit down by the side of a

double canoe. Captain Cook expostulated with them, but to no purpose:

they would not suffer the king to proceed, telling him, that he would

be put to death if he went on board the ship. Kariopoo, whose conduct

seemed entirely resigned to the will of others, hung down his head,

and appeared much distressed.

'While the king was in this situation, a chief, well known to us, of

the name of Coho, was observed lurking near, with an iron dagger,

partly concealed under his cloak, seemingly with the intention of

stabbing Captain Cook, or the lieutenant of marines. The latter

proposed to fire at him, but Captain Cook would not permit it. Coho

closing upon them, obliged the officer to strike him with his piece,

which made him retire. Another Indian laid hold of the sergeant's

musket, and endeavoured to wrench it from him, but was prevented by

the lieutenant's making a blow at him. Captain Cook, seeing the tumult

increase, and the Indians growing more daring and resolute, observed,

that if he were to take the king off by force, he could not do it

without sacrificing the lives of many of his people. He then paused a

little, and was on the point of giving his orders to re-embark, when a

man threw a stone at him; which he returned with a discharge of small

shot (with which one barrel of his double piece was loaded). The man,

having a thick mat before him, received little or no hurt: he

brandished his spear, and threatened to dart it at Captain Cook, who

being still unwilling to take away his life, instead of firing with

ball, knocked him down with his musket. He expostulated strongly with

the most forward of the crowd, upon their turbulent behaviour. He had

given up all thoughts of getting the king on board, as it appeared

impracticable; and his care was then only to act on the defensive, and

to secure a safe embarkation for his small party, which was closely

pressed by a body of several thousand people. Keowa, the king's son,

who was in the pinnace, being alarmed on hearing the first firing,

was, at his own entreaty, put on shore again; for even at that time

Mr. Roberts, who commanded her, did not apprehend that Captain Cook's

person was in any danger: otherwise he would have detained the prince,

which, no doubt, would have been a great check on the Indians. One man

was observed, behind a double canoe, in the action of darting his

spear at Captain Cook, who was forced to fire at him in his own

defence, but happened to kill another close to him, equally forward in

the tumult: the serjeant observing that he had missed the man he aimed

at, received orders to fire at him, which he did, and killed him. By

this time, the impetuosity of the Indians was somewhat repressed; they

fell back in a body, and seemed staggered; but being pushed on by

those behind, they returned to the charge, and poured a volley of

stones among the marines, who, without waiting for orders, returned it

with a general discharge of musketry, which was instantly followed by

a fire from the boats. At this Captain Cook was heard to express his

astonishment: he waved his hand to the boats, called to them to cease

firing, and to come nearer in to receive the marines. Mr. Roberts

immediately brought the pinnace as close to the shore as he could,

without grounding, notwithstanding the showers of stones that fell

among the people: but ---- the lieutenant, who commanded in the

launch, instead of pulling in to the assistance of Captain Cook,

withdrew his boat farther off, at the moment that every thing seems to

have depended upon the timely exertions of those in the boats. By his

own account, he mistook the signal, but be that as it may, this

circumstance appears to me, to have decided the fatal turn of the

affair, and to have removed every chance which remained with Captain

Cook, of escaping with his life. The business of saving the marines

out of the water, in consequence of that, fell altogether upon the

pinnace; which thereby became so much crowded, that the crew were, in

a great measure, prevented from using their fire-arms, or giving what

assistance they otherwise might have done, to Captain Cook; so that he

seems, at the most critical point of time, to have wanted the

assistance of both boats, owing to the removal of the launch. For,

notwithstanding that they kept up a fire on the crowd, from the

situation to which they removed in that boat, the fatal confusion

which ensued on her being withdrawn, to say the least of it, must have

prevented the full effect that the prompt co-operation of the two

boats, according to Captain Cook's orders, must have had, towards the

preservation of himself and his people.[15] At that time, it was to

the boats alone that Captain Cook had to look for his safety; for,

when the marines had fired, the Indians rushed among them, and forced

them into the water, where four of them were killed: their lieutenant

was wounded, but fortunately escaped, and was taken up by the pinnace.

Captain Cook was then the only one remaining on the rock: as observed

making for the pinnace, holding his left hand against the back of his

head, to guard it from the stones, and carrying his musket under the

other arm. An Indian was seen following him, but with caution and

timidity; for he stopped once or twice, as if undetermined to proceed.

At last he advanced upon him unawares, and with a large club, or

common stake, gave him a blow on the back of the head, and then

precipitately retreated. The stroke seemed to have stunned Captain

Cook: he staggered a few paces, then fell on his hand and one knee,

and dropped his musket. As he was rising, and before he could recover

his feet, another Indian stabbed him in the back of the neck with an

iron dagger. He then fell into a bit of water about knee deep, where

others crowded upon him, and endeavoured to keep him under: but

struggling very strongly with them, he got his head up, and casting

his look towards the pinnace, seemed to solicit assistance. Though the

boat was not above five or six yards distant from him, yet from the

crowded and confused state of the crew, it seems, it was not in their

power to save him. The Indians got him under again, but in deeper

water: he was, however, able to get his head up once more, and being

almost spent in the struggle, he naturally turned to the rock, and was

endeavouring to support himself by it, when a savage gave him a blow

with a club, and he was seen alive no more. They hauled him up

lifeless on the rocks, where they seemed to take a savage pleasure in

using every barbarity to his dead body, snatching the daggers out of

each other's hands, to have the horrid satisfaction of piercing the

fallen victim of their barbarous rage.

[Footnote 15: I have been informed on the best authority, that in

the opinion of Captain Philips, who commanded the marines, and

whose judgment must be of the greatest weight, it is extremely

doubtful whether any thing could successfully have been done to

preserve the life of Captain Cook, even if no mistake had been

committed on the part of the launch.]

'I need make no reflection on the great loss we suffered on this

occasion, or attempt to describe what we felt. It is enough, to say,

that no man was ever more beloved or admired: and it is truly painful

to reflect that he seems to have fallen a sacrifice merely for want of

being properly supported; a fate, singularly to be lamented, as having

fallen to his lot, who had ever been conspicuous for his care of those

under his command, and who seemed, to the last, to pay as much

attention to their preservation, as to that of his own life.

'If any thing could have added to the shame and indignation

universally felt on this occasion, it was to find, that his remains

had been deserted, and left exposed on the beach, although they might

have been brought off. It appears, from the information of four or

five midshipmen, who arrived on the spot at the conclusion of the

fatal business, that the beach was then almost entirely deserted by

the Indians, who at length had given way to the fire of the boats, and

dispersed through the town: so that there seemed no great obstacle to

prevent the recovery of Captain Cook's body; but the lieutenant

returned on board without making the attempt. It is unnecessary to

dwell longer on this painful subject, and to relate the complaints and

censures that fell on the conduct of the lieutenant. It will be

sufficient to observe that they were so loud as to oblige Captain

Clerke publicly to notice them, and to take the depositions of his

accusers down in writing. The captains bad state of health and

approaching dissolution, it is supposed, induced him to destroy these

papers a short time before his death.

'It is a painful task to be obliged to notice circumstances which seem

to reflect upon the character of any man. A strict regard to truth,

however, compelled me to the insertion of these facts, which I have

offered merely as facts, without presuming to connect with them any

comment of my own: esteeming it the part of a faithful historian, "to

extenuate nothing, nor set down aught in malice."

'The fatal accident happened at eight o'clock in the morning, about an

hour after Captain Cook landed. It did not seem that the king, or his

sons, were witnesses to it: but it is supposed, that they withdrew in

the midst of the tumult. The principal actors were the other chiefs,

many of them the king's relations and attendants; the man who stabbed

him with the dagger was called Nooah. I happened to be the only one

who recollected his person, from having on a former occasion mentioned

his name in the journal I kept. I was induced to take particular

notice of him, more from his personal appearance than any other

consideration, though he was of high rank, and a near relation of the

king: he was stout and tall, with a fierce look and demeanour, and one

who united in his figure the two qualities of strength and agility, in

a greater degree than ever I remembered to have seen before in any

other man. His age might be about thirty, and by the white scurf on

his skin, and his sore eyes, he appeared to be a hard drinker of kava.

He was a constant companion of the king, with whom I first saw him,

when he paid a visit to Captain Clerke. The chief who first struck

Captain Cook with the club, was called Karimano, craha, but I did not

know him by his name. These circumstances I learned of honest

Kaireekea, the priest; who added, that they were both held in great

esteem on account of that action: neither of them came near us

afterward. When the boats left the shore, the Indians carried away the

dead body of Captain Cook and those of the marines, to the rising

ground, at the back of the town, where we could plainly see them with

our glasses from the ships.

'This most melancholy accident appears to have been altogether

unexpected and unforeseen, as well on the part of the natives as

ourselves. I never saw sufficient reason to induce me to believe, that

there was any thing of design, or a preconcerted plan on their side,

or that they purposely sought to quarrel with us: thieving, which gave

rise to the whole, they were equally guilty of in our first and second

visits. It was the cause of every misunderstanding that happened

between us: their petty thefts were generally overlooked, but

sometimes slightly punished: the boat, which they at last ventured to

take away, was an object of no small magnitude to people in our

situation, who could not possibly replace her, and therefore not

slightly to be given up. We had no other chance of recovering her, but

by getting the person of the king into our possession: on our

attempting to do that, the natives became alarmed for his safety, and

naturally opposed those whom they deemed his enemies. In the sudden

conflict that ensued, we had the unspeakable misfortune of losing our

excellent commander, in the manner already related. It is in this

light the affair has always appeared to me, as entirely accidental,

and not in the least, owing to any previous offence received, or

jealousy of our second visit entertained by the natives.

'Pareah seems to have been the principal instrument in bringing about

this fatal disaster. We learned afterward, that it was he who had

employed some people to steal the boat: the king did not seem to be

privy to it, or even apprized of what had happened, till Captain Cook

landed.

'It was generally remarked, that, at first, the Indians shewed great

resolution in facing our fire-arms; but it was entirely owing to

ignorance of their effect. They thought that their thick mats would

defend them from a ball as well as from a stone; but being soon

convinced of their error, yet still at a loss to account how such

execution was done among them, they had recourse to a stratagem,

which, though it answered no other purpose, served to shew their

ingenuity and quickness of invention. Observing the flashes of the

muskets, they naturally concluded, that water would counteract their

effect, and therefore, very sagaciously dipped their mats, or armour,

in the sea, just as they came on to face our people: but finding this

last resource to fail them, they soon dispersed, and left the beach

entirely clear. It was an object they never neglected, even at the

greatest hazard, to carry off their slain; a custom, probably owing to

the barbarity with which they treat the dead body of an enemy, and the

trophies they make of his bones.'

In consequence of this barbarity of disposition, the whole remains of

Captain Cook could not be recovered. For, though every exertion was

made for that purpose; though negotiations and threatenings were

alternately employed, little more than the principal part of his bones

(and that with great difficulty) could be procured. By the possession

of them, our navigators were enabled to perform the last offices to

their eminent and unfortunate commander. The bones, having been put

into a coffin, and the service being read over them, were committed to

the deep, on the 21st, with the usual military honours. What were the

feelings of the companies of both the ships, on this occasion, must be

left to the world to conceive; for those who were present, know, that

it is not in the power of any pen to express them.

A promotion of officers followed the decease of Captain Cook. Captain

Clerke having succeeded of course to the command of the expedition,

removed on board the Resolution. By him Mr. Gore was appointed captain

of the Discovery, and the rest of the lieutenants obtained an addition

of rank, in their proper order. Mr. Harvey, a midshipman, who had been

in the last as well as the present voyage, was promoted to the vacant

lieutenancy.

Not long after Captain Cook's death, an event occurred in Europe,

which had a particular relation to the voyage of our navigator, and

which was so honourable to himself, and to the great nation from whom

it proceeded, that it is no small pleasure to me to be able to lay the

transaction somewhat at large before my readers. What I refer to is,

the letter which was issued, on the 19th of March, 1779, by Mr.

Sartine secretary of the marine department at Paris, and sent to all

the commanders of French ships. The rescript was as follows: 'Captain

Cook, who sailed from Plymouth in July, 1776, on board the Resolution,

in company with the Discovery, Captain Clerke, in order to make some

discoveries on the coasts, islands, and seas of Japan and California,

being on the point of returning to Europe; and such discoveries being

of general utility to all nations, it is the king's pleasure, that

Captain Cook shall be treated as a commander of a neutral and allied

power, and, that all captains of armed vessels, &c. who may meet that

famous navigator, shall make him acquainted with the king's orders on

this behalf, but, at the same time, let him know, that on his part he

must refrain from hostilities.' By the Marquis of Condorcet we are

informed, that this measure originated in the liberal and enlightened

mind of that excellent citizen and statesman, M. Turgot. 'When war,'

says the marquis, 'was declared between France and England, M. Turgot

saw how honourable it would be to the French nation, that the vessel

of Captain Cook should be treated with respect at sea. He composed a

memorial, in which he proved, that honour, reason, and even interest,

dictated this act of respect for humanity; and it was in consequence

of this memorial, the author of which was unknown during his life,

that an order was given not to treat as an enemy the common benefactor

of every European nation.'

Whilst great praise is due to M. Turgot, for having suggested the

adoption of a measure which hath contributed so much to the reputation

of the French government, it must not be forgotten, that the first

thought of such a plan of conduct was probably owing to Dr. Benjamin

Franklin. Thus much, at least, is certain, that this eminent

philosopher, when ambassador at Paris from the United States of

America, preceded the court of France in issuing a similar

requisition; a copy Of which cannot fail of being acceptable to the

reader.

'To all Captains and Commanders of armed Ships acting by Commission

from the Congress of the United States of America, now in war with

Great Britain.

'Gentlemen,

'A ship having been fitted out from England before the commencement of

this war, to make discoveries of new countries in unknown seas, under

the conduct of that most celebrated navigator and discoverer, Captain

Cook; an undertaking truly laudable in itself, as the increase of

geographical knowledge facilitates the communication between distant

nations, in the exchange of useful products and manufactures, and the

extension of arts, whereby the common enjoyments of human life are

multiplied and augmented, and science of other kinds increased, to the

benefit of mankind in general--This is therefore most earnestly to

recommend to every one of you, that in case the said ship, which is

now expected to be soon in the European seas on her return, should

happen to fall into your hands, you would not consider her as an

enemy, nor suffer any plunder to be made of the effects contained in

her, nor obstruct her immediate return to England, by detaining her,

or sending her into any other part of Europe, or to America; but that

you would treat the said Captain Cook and his people with all civility

and kindness, affording them, as common friends to mankind, all the

assistance in your power, which they may happen to stand in need of.

In so doing you will not only gratify the generosity of your own

dispositions, but there is no doubt of your obtaining the approbation

of the Congress, and your other American owners.

'I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,

'Your most obedient, humble servant,

B. FRANKLIN,

'Minister Plenipotentiary from the Congress of the United States, at

the Court of France.

At Passy, near Paris, the 10th day of March, 1779.'

It is observable that, as Dr. Franklin acted on his own authority, he

could only _earnestly recommend_ to the commanders of American

armed vessels not to consider Captain Cook as an enemy; and it is

somewhat remarkable, that he mentions no more than one ship; Captain

Clerke not being noticed in the requisition. In the confidence which

the doctor expressed, with respect to the approbation of Congress, he

happened to be mistaken. As the members of that assembly, at least

with regard to the greater part of them, were, not possessed of minds

equally enlightened with that of their ambassador, he was not

supported by his masters in this noble act of humanity, of love to

science, and of liberal policy. The orders he had given were instantly

reversed; and it was directed by Congress, that especial care should

be taken to seize Captain Cook, if an opportunity of doing it

occurred. All this preceeded from a false notion, that it would be

injurious to the United States for the English to obtain a knowledge

of the opposite coast of America.

The conduct of the court of Spain was regulated by similar principles

of jealousy. It was apprehended by that court, that there was reason

to be cautious of granting, too easily, an indulgence to Captain Cook;

since it was not certain what mischiefs might ensue to the Spaniards

from a northern passage to their American dominions. M. de Belluga, a

Spanish gentleman and officer, of a liberal and philosophical turn of

mind, and who was a member of the Royal Society of London, endeavoured

to prevail upon the Count of Florida Blanca, and M. d'Almodaver, to

grant an order of protection to the Resolution and Discovery; and he

flattered himself, that the ministers of the King of Spain would be

prevailed upon to prefer the cause of science to the partial views of

interest: but the Spanish government was not capable of rising to so

enlarged and magnanimous a plan of policy. To the French nation alone,

therefore, was reserved the honour of setting an example of wisdom and

humanity, which, I trust, will not hereafter be so uncommon to the

history of mankind.

The progress of the voyage, after the decease of Captain Cook, doth

not fall within the design of the present narrative.[16]

[Footnote 16: The particulars of the voyage, after the death of

Captain Cook, of which it did not fall under Dr. Kippis's plan to

give a narrative, will be found in the Appendix.]