sailed from Teneriff with His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_ on the afternoon
of the 25th November, agreeable to my intentions signified to their
Lordships by letter from that island, and anchored off the city Rio
Janeiro on the evening of the 31st of December with a view to compleat my
water and to get refreshments for the ship's company and from my being
persuaded that very long runs, particularly with new ships' companies,
are prejudicial to health, and as my men are of that description, and
have also suffered in their health from a fever which has prevailed
amongst them in a greater or less degree ever since they left England,
were other inducements for my touching at this port. I shall stay here no
longer than is absolutely necessary to procure these articles, and which
I expect to be able to accomplish by the seventh of this month, and I
shall then proceed on my voyage as soon as wind and weather will permit.
Herewith I send the state and condition of His Majesty's Ship _Pandora_,
and I have the honour to be, Sir,
Your most obedient and humble servant,
EDW. EDWARDS."
"Batavia, the 25th November, 1791.
29th May, 1792.
From Amsterdam.
SIR,
In a letter dated the 6th day of January, 1791, which I did myself the
honour to address to you from Rio Janeiro I gave an account of my
proceedings up to that time and inclosed the state and condition of His
Majesty's Ship _Pandora_ under my command, and having compleated the
water and procured such articles of provision, etc., for the use of the
Ship's Company as they were in want of and I thought necessary for the
voyage, I sailed from that port on the 8th January, 1791, run along the
coast of America, Tierra Del Fuego, Hatin Land, round Cape Horn and
proceeded directly to Otaheite, and arrived at Matavy Bay in that Island
on the 23rd March without having touched in any other place in my passage
thither.
It was my intention to have put into New Year's harbour, or some other
port in its neighbourhood to complete our water and to refresh my people,
could I have effected that business within the month of January; but as I
arrived too late on that coast to fulfil my intentions within the time,
it determined me to push forward without delay, by which means I
flattered myself I might avoid that extreme bad weather and all the evil
consequences that are usually experienced in doubling Cape Horn in a more
advanced season of the year, and I had the good fortune not to be
disappointed in my expectation.
After doubling the Cape, and advancing Northward into warmer weather, the
fever which had prevailed on board gradually declined, and the diseases
usually succeeding such fevers prevented by a liberal use of the
antiscorbutics and other nourishing and useful articles with which we
were so amply supplied, and the ship's company arrived at Otaheite in
perfect health, except a few whose debilitated constitutions no climate,
provisions or medicine could much improve.
In our run to Otaheite we discovered 3 islands: the first, which I called
Ducie's Island, lies in Latitude 24° 40' 30" S. and Longitude 124° 36'
30" W. from Greenwich. It is between 2 and 3 miles long. The second I
called Lord Hood's Island. It lies in Latitude 21° 31' S. and Longitude
135° 32' 30" W., and is about 8 miles long. The third I called
Carysfort's Island. It lies in Latitude 20° 49' S. and Longitude 138° 33'
W. and it is 5 miles long. They are all three low lagoon islands covered
with wood, but we saw no inhabitants on either of them.[30-1] Before we
anchored at Matavy Bay, Joseph Coleman, Armourer of the _Bounty_, and
several of the natives came on board, from whom I learned that Christian
the pirate had landed and left 16 of his men on the Island, some of whom
were then at Matavy, and some had sailed from there the morning before
our arrival (in a schooner they had built) for Papara, a distant part of
the Island, to join other of the pirates that were settled at that place,
and that Churchill, Master at Arms, had been murdered by Matthew
Thompson, and that Matthew Thompson was killed by the natives and offered
as a sacrifice on their altars for the murder of Churchill, whom they had
made a chief.
George Stewart and Peter Heywood, midshipmen of the _Bounty_, came on
board the _Pandora_ soon after she came to an anchor, and I had also
information that Richard Skinner was at Matavy. I desired Poen, an
inferior chief (who, in the absence of Otoo, was the principal person in
the district) to bring him on board. The chief went on shore for the
purpose, and soon after he returned again and informed me that Skinner
was coming on board. Before night he did come on board, but whether it
was in consequence of the chief's instructions, or his own accord, I am
at a loss to say. As soon as the ship was moored the pinnace and launch
were got ready and sent under the direction of Lt. Corner and Hayward in
pursuit of the pirates and schooner in hopes of getting hold of them
before they could get information of our arrival, and Odiddee, a native
of Bolabola, and who has been with Capt. Cook, etc., went with them as a
guide.
The boats were discovered by the pirates before they had arrived at the
place where these people had landed, and they immediately embarked in
their schooner and put to sea, and she was chased the remainder of the
day by our boats, but, it blowing fresh, she outsailed them, and the
boats returned to the ship. Jno. Brown, the person left at Otaheite by
Mr. Cox of the _Mercury_,[31-1] and from whom their Lordships supposed I
might get some useful information, had been under the necessity for his
own safety to associate with the pirates, but he took the opportunity to
leave them when they were about to embark in the schooner and put to sea.
He informed me that they had very little water and provisions on board,
or vessels to hold them in, and, of course, could not keep at sea long. I
entered Brown on the ship's books as part of the compliment and found him
very intelligent and useful in the different capacities of guide, soldier
and seaman. I employed different people to look out for and to give
information on their landing either on this or the neighbouring islands.
On the 26th, in the evening, sent the pinnace to Edee by desire of the
old Otoo, or king, to bring him on board the _Pandora_. Early on the
morning of the 27th, I had information that the pirates were returning
with the schooner to Papara and that they were landed and retired to the
mountains, to endeavour to conceal and defend themselves. Immediately
sent Lt. Corner with 26 men in the launch to Papara to pursue them. At
night the Otoo, his two queens and suite came on board the pinnace and
slept on board the _Pandora_, which they afterwards frequently did.
The next morning Lt. Hayward was sent with a party in the pinnace to join
the party in the launch at Papara. I found the Otoo ready to furnish me
with guides and to give me any other assistance in his power, but he had
very little authority or influence in that part of the island where the
pirates had taken refuge, and even his right to the sovereignty of the
eastern part of the island had been recently disputed by Tamarie, one of
the royal family. Under these circumstances I conceived the taking of the
Otoo and the other chiefs attached to his interest into custody would
alarm the faithful part of his subjects and operate to our disadvantage.
I therefore satisfied myself with the assistance he offered and had in
his power to give me, and I found means at different times to send
presents to Tamarie (and invited him to come on board, which he promised
to do, but never fulfilled his promise), and convinced him I had it in my
power to lay his country in waste, which I imagined would be sufficient
at least to make him withhold that support he hitherto, through policy,
had occasionally given to the pirates in order to draw them to his
interest and to strengthen his own party against the Otoo.
I probably might have had it in my power to have taken and secured the
person of Tamarie, but I was apprehensive that such an attempt might
irritate the natives attached to his interest, and induce them to act
hostilely against our party at a time the ship was at too great a
distance to afford them timely and necessary assistance in case of such
an event, and I adopted the milder method for that reason, and from a
persuasion that our business could be brought to a conclusion at less
risk and in less time by that means. The yawl was sent to Papara with
spare hands to bring back the launch which was wanted to water the ship,
and on the 29th the launch returned to the ship with James
Morrison,[33-1] Charles Norman, and Thomas Ellison, belonging to the
_Bounty_, and who had been made prisoners at Papara on the 7th April. The
companies returned with the detachment from Papara, and brought with them
the pirate schooner which they had taken there. The natives had deserted
the place, and I had information that the six remaining pirates had fled
to the mountains.
On the 5th I sent Lt. Hayward with 25 men in the schooner and yawl to
Papara, the old Otoo and several of the youths, &c., went with him. On
the 7th, in the morning, Lt. Corner was landed with 16 men at Point Venus
in order to march round the back of the mountains, in which the pirates
had retreated, to cooperate with the party sent to Papara. Orissia, the
Otoo's brother, and a party of natives went with him as guides and to
carry the provisions, &c.
On the 9th Lt. Hayward returned with the schooner and yawl and brought
with him Henry Hillbrant, Thomas M'Intosh, Thomas Burkitt, Jno.
Millward, Jno. Sumner and William Muspratt, the six remaining pirates
belonging to the _Bounty_. They had quitted the mountains and had got
down near the seashore when they were discovered by our party on the
opposite side of a river. They submitted, on being summoned to lay down
their arms. Lt. Corner with his party marched across the mountains to
Papara, and a boat was sent for them there, and they returned on board
again on the 13th in the afternoon. I put the pirates in the round house
which I built at the after part of the Quarter deck for their more
effectual security, airy and healthy situation, and to separate them
from, and to prevent their having any communication with, or to crowd and
incommode the ship's company.
Contrary to my expectations, the water we got at the usual place at Point
Venus turned out very bad, and on touching for better, most excellent
water was found issuing out of a rock in a little bay to the southward of
One Tree Hill. I mention this circumstance because it may be of
importance to be known to other ships that may hereafter touch at that
island.
The natives had in their possession a bower anchor belonging to the
_Bounty_, which that ship had left in the bay, and I took it on board the
_Pandora_, and made them a handsome present by way of salvage and as a
reward for their ingenuity in weighing it with materials so ill
calculated for the purpose. I learned from different people and from
journals kept on board the _Bounty_, which were found in the chests of
the pirates at Otaheite, that after Lt. Bligh and the people with him
were turned adrift in the launch, the pirates proceeded with the ship to
the Island of Toobouai in Latitude 20° 13' S. and Longitude 149° 35' W.,
where they anchored on the 25th May, 1789. Before their arrival there
they threw the greatest part of the bread fruit plants overboard, and the
property of the officers and people that were turned out of the ship was
divided amongst those who remained on board her, and the royals and some
other small sails were cut up and disposed of in the same manner.
Notwithstanding they met with some opposition from the natives, they
intended to settle on this island, but after some time they perceived
that they were in want of several things necessary for a settlement and
which was the cause of disagreements and quarrels amongst themselves. At
last they came to a resolution to come to Otaheite to get such of the
things wanted as could be procured there, and in consequence of that
resolution they sailed from Toobouai at the latter end of the month and
arrived at Otaheite on the 6th of June. The Otoo and other natives were
very inquisitive and desirous to know what was become of Lt. Bligh and
the other absentees and the bread fruit plants, &c. They deceived them by
saying that they had fallen in with Captain Cook at an island he had
lately discovered called "Why-Too-Tackee" [Aitutaki], and where he
intended to settle, and that the plants were landed and planted there,
and that Lt. Bligh and the other absentees were detained to assist
Captain Cook in the business he had in hand, and that he had appointed
Christian captain of the _Bounty_ and ordered him to Otaheite for an
additional supply of hogs, goats, fowls, bread fruit plants, &c.
These humane islanders were imposed upon by this artful story, and they
were so rejoiced to hear that their old friend Captain Cook was alive and
was near them that they used every means in their power to procure the
things that were wanted, so that in the course of a few days the _Bounty_
took on board 312 hogs, 38 goats, eight dozen fowls, a bull and a cow,
and a quantity of bread fruit plants, &c. They also took with them a
woman, eight men and seven boys. With these supplies they sailed from
Otaheite on the 19th June and arrived again at Toobouai on the 26th. They
landed the live stock on the quays that were near the harbour, lightened
the ship and warped her up the harbour into two fathoms water opposite to
the place where they intended to build the fort. On this occasion their
spare masts, yards and booms were got out and moored, but they afterwards
broke adrift and were lost.[36-1]
On the 19th July they began to build the fort. Its dimensions were 50
yards square. These villains had frequent quarrels amongst themselves
which at last were carried to such a length that no order was observed
amongst them, and by the 30th August the work at the fort was
discontinued. They had also almost continual disputes and skirmishes with
the natives, which were generally brought on by their own violence and
depredations. Christian, perceiving that he had lost his authority, and
that nothing more could be done, desired them to consult together and
consider what step would be the most advisable to take, and said that he
would put into execution the opinion that was supported by the most
votes. After long consultation it was at last determined that the scheme
of staying at Toobouai should be given up, and that the ship should be
taken to Otaheite, where those who chose to go on shore should be at
liberty to do so, and those who remained on the ship might take her away
to whatever place they should think fit.
In consequence of this final determination preparations were made for the
purpose and they sailed from Toobouai on the 15th and arrived at Matavy
Bay, Otaheite, on the 20th September 1789. The bull which they took from
Otaheite died on its passage to Toobouai, and they killed the cow before
they left that island, yet, notwithstanding this and the depredations
they committed there, the natives still derived considerable advantage
from their visits, as several hogs, goats, fowls and other things of
their introduction were left behind. These sixteen men mentioned before
were landed at Otaheite, viz.:--
Joseph Coleman [Armourer].[37-3]
Peter Heywood [Midshipman].[37-2]
George Stewart [Midshipman].[37-4]
Richard Skinner [A.B.].[37-4]
Michael Burn [A.B. Fiddler].[37-3]
James Morrison [Boatswain's Mate].[37-2]
Charles Norman [Carpenter's Mate].[37-3]
Thomas Ellison [A.B.].[37-1]
Henry Hillbrant [A.B.].[37-4]
John Sumner [A.B.].[37-4]
Thomas M'Intosh [Carpenter's Crew].[37-3]
William Muspratt [A.B.].[37-1]
Thomas Burkitt [A.B.].[37-1]
John Millward [A.B.].[37-1]
These fourteen were made prisoners by my people and Charles Churchill and
Matthew Thompson were murdered on that island. Previous to these people
being put on shore the small arms, powder, canvas and the small stores
belonging to the ship were equally divided amongst the whole crew. After
building the schooner six of these people actually sailed in her for the
East Indies, but meeting with bad weather and suspecting the abilities of
Morrison, whom they had chosen to be their captain to navigate her there,
they returned again to Otaheite on the night between the 21st and 22nd of
September 1789 and were seen in the morning to the N.W. of Point
Venus.[37-5]
Fletcher Christian, Edward Young, Matthew Quintall, William M'Koy,
Alexander Smith, John Williams, Isaac Martin, William Brown and John
Mills went away in the ship and they also took with them several natives
of these islands, both men and women, but I could not exactly learn their
numbers, only that they had on board a few more women than white men, a
deficiency of whom had formerly been one of their grievances and the
principal cause of their quarrels. Christian had been frequently heard to
declare that he would search for an unknown or uninhabited island in
which there was no harbour for shipping, would run the ship ashore and
get from her such things as would be useful to him and settle there, but
this information was too vague to be followed in an immense ocean strewed
with an almost innumerable number of known and unknown islands; therefore
after the ship was caulked, which I found was necessary to be done, the
rigging overhauled and in other respects refitted her for sea, and fitted
the pirates' schooner as a tender, and put on board two petty
officers[38-1] and seven men to navigate her, conceiving she would be of
considerable use in covering the boats in my future search for the
_Bounty_, as well as for reconnoitring the passage through the reef
leading to Endeavour Straits; I sailed from Otaheite on the 8th of May
with a view to put the remainder of my orders into execution.
Oediddee was desirous to go in the _Pandora_ to Ulietia and to Bolabola,
and as I thought he would be useful as a guide for the boats I took him
with me and steered for Huahaine which we saw the next morning. The
tender and the boats were employed the 9th and part of the 10th in
examining the harbours, and Oediddee went with them as pilot. Several
chiefs came on board and brought with them hogs and other articles, the
produce of the island, and a servant of Omai also came on board, and said
that he was not then much the better for his master's riches, however his
former connections was the cause of his visit to the ship being made very
profitable to him, and all the chiefs and their attendances received
presents from me. Two of the chiefs of this island were desirous to go in
the ship to Ulietia and I had given them leave to, but when the ship was
about to make sail they suddenly changed their minds and went on shore
and took Oediddee with them. Oediddee promised to follow us there the
next day, but we did not see him again.
I proceeded to Ulietea Otaka and Bolabola, and the tender and boats were
employed in examining the bays and harbours of these islands, but we got
no intelligence of the _Bounty_ or her people. Tahatoo, who called
himself king of Bolabola, informed me that he had been a few days before
at Tubai, which is a small, low island situated on the Northward of
Bolabola and under its jurisdiction, and that there were no white men
upon that island, nor upon Maurua, another island in sight of it and to
the westward of Bolabola. He also mentioned another island which I
thought he called Mojeshah, but we know no such island unless it be
Howe's Island, and that seems to be situated too far to the South and to
the West for the island he attempted to describe and point out to us. The
chiefs and several other people came on board from these islands and
brought with them the usual produce, and they were at all the isles very
pressing to prevail upon us to make a longer stay with them, but as I had
no object particularly in view and my people in good health, I did not
think it proper unnecessarily to waste my time for the sake of procuring
a few articles that were in greater abundance in these islands than at
Otaheite. I made presents to all those chiefs as it was my custom to do
to everyone that had the least pretension to pre-eminence, and to all the
people who came on board in the first boat.
After leaving Bolabola I steered for Maurua and passed it at a small
distance. Howe's Island was not seen by us as it is a low island and we
passed to the Southward of it. I then shaped my course to get into the
latitude of and to fall in to the Eastward of Why-to-tackee [Aitutaki].
On the 14th, Henry Hillbrant, one of the pirates, gave information that
Christian had declared to him the evening before he left Otaheite that he
intended to go with the _Bounty_ to an uninhabited island discovered by
Mr. Byron, situated to the Westward of the Isles of Danger, which, from
description of the situation, I found to be the island called by Mr.
Byron "The Duke of York's Island,"[40-1] and if they could land, would
settle there and run the ship upon the reef and destroy her, and if they
could not land, or if on examination found it would not answer their
purpose, he would look out for some other uninhabited island. However, I
continued my course for Why-to-tackee, being now determined to examine
the island in preference to following any intelligence, however
plausible, and on the morning of the 19th saw the Island of Why-to-tackee
[Aitutaki],[40-2] and sent the tender in shore to ground and look out for
a harbour.
At noon sent Lt. Hayward in the yawl to look into a place on the N.W.
part of the island that had the appearance of a harbour and to get
intelligence of the natives. In the evening he returned. The place was so
far from being fit for the reception of the ship that he could scarcely
find a passage through the reef for the boat; he conversed with seven or
eight different sets of people, whom he met with in canoes, and they all
agreed that the _Bounty_ was not, nor had not been there since Lt. Bligh
left the island, nor did any of them known anything of her. Lt. Hayward
recollected one of the natives, whom he remembered to have seen on board
the _Bounty_ when he discovered the island, and he saw another savage
belonging to a neighbouring island who knew Captain Cook and inquired
after him, Omai and Oediddee, whom he said he had seen.
These people at first approached the boat with caution, and could not be
prevailed upon to come on board the ship. As I was convinced that the
_Bounty_ was not on this island, and as Hervey's, Mangea and Wattea
Islands to the S.E. of Why-to-tackee were inhabited, I did not think it
probable that Christian, in the weak state the ship was in, would attempt
to settle upon either of them, and as there was some plausibility in the
information given me by Hillbrant the prisoner, and as the Duke of York's
Island seemed to answer the description of such an island as Christian
had been heard by others to declare he would search for to settle on, it
being by Mr. Byron's account uninhabited, and with a harbour; and as the
fact that it was out of the known track of ships in these seas since our
acquaintance with the Society Islands, made it still more eligible for
his purpose; from these united circumstances I thought it was probable he
might make choice of the Duke of York's Island for his intended
settlement. I therefore determined to proceed to that island, taking
Palmerston's island in my way thither, as it also answered in all
respects, except situation, to the description of the other; and at night
I bore away and made sail for Palmerston's Island, and made that on the
21st in the afternoon.[42-1]