PROCEEDINGS OF THE SETTLERS AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS
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NEW ZEALAND. CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE SETTLERS AT THE BAY OF ISLANDS.
INTELLIGENCE has been received from the Society's Settlement in the Bay of Islands; and letters have arrived from Mr. Marsden: but these accounts do not report the state of the Society's Settlement beyond the beginning of last year. Further communications may be soon expected. In the mean while, we shall extract the most important parts of those which have been received.
In the Number for December, we brought to a close the narrative of Mr. Marsden's visit to New Zealand; which he left for Port Jackson, in the Active, on the 26th of February, 1815, with two Chiefs, Tupee and Timarangha, and eight other Natives, on board. We shall first give--
Extracts from Mr. Kendall's Journal, from March 1815, to January 1816.
March 23d, 1815. --Tamoungha and Kullo-kullo, two Chiefs from Whangorooa, visited us, with their people. I was desirous to go with them, on their return to Whangorooa, in order to make my observations on the place and its population; and had equipped myself for the purpose, having my provisions and bedding ready; but my friends at Tippoona prevented me, and earnestly requested me to continue at the Bay. They assigned as the principal reason for their reluctance to my visit, that when the Boyd was taken, Tippahee, their late Chief, was blamed as a ringleader, and the Captains and crews of the Whalers shot many of their people, and destroyed their island; and that if I
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should be killed at Whangorooa, they would again bear the blame, and suffer, although entirely innocent, as was Tippahee. I could not be offended at their just reasoning; for I am now more than ever convinced, that Tippahee, so far from being guilty in the affair of the Boyd, particularly as it respected the death of the crew, was engaged in a most honourable and praiseworthy action. He called the unfortunate seamen out of the rigging, with an intent to save them; and would have succeeded iri his object, had he not been opposed by Tippoohee and Taara, who took them from him by force. The Natives of Whangorooa, while they acknowledge their own cruelty, universally assert, that when they were killing the sailors, Tippahee held his hand over his eyes, and shed tears. He by no means joined them in their horrid festival.
I am thus circumstantial, in order to shew that the little acquaintance which Tippahee had enjoyed with the civilized world had been very beneficial to him in a trying moment.
The people of Tippoona are very desirous to have their innocence established with the people of England.
March 31. --A canoe returned from the River Thames; the people on board having killed and eaten three men; and taken a woman and five female children prisoners, whom they intend to keep as slaves. The head of one of the unfortunate victims was exhibited in our Settlement. It had been cured by the Natives, for the purpose of shewing their friends at home the victory which they had obtained over their enemies. The Settlers entreated the Natives to take it away, and bury it in the ground. We think it our duty to express our concern at every thing which relates to their wars and cannibalism, as opportunity offers; and we do this in a friendly manner.
Multitudes are astonished, when they hear of men sunk into such a state of degradation, and look on such objects with contempt: but there is more room for thankfulness than pride. There is no enormity of which human nature is not capable, since man lost sight of his Maker; and it is owing to the merciful interposition of Divine Providence that there is
Aug. 1817.
not much more wretchedness in the world.
April 8th. --Attended a mourning ceremony. The relatives of five Natives, who had been dead some time, but whose bodies were now taken up for* the purpose of preserving the bones, assembled to mourn over them. The same shouting and crying were to be heard as on other occasions. The faces and breasts of the mourners were, as usual, besmeared with blood. It is customary for the New Zealanders to take up the bodies of their friends after death. They clean the bones, and cast the flesh away. A common person's bones are cleaned once, at least; but the bones of a Chief are taken up four or five different times, and finally put into a basket. They are preserved as sacred relics. Children are brought to cry over the bones of their ancestors, in order to perpetuate their memory. The manner in which the New Zealanders take care of their dead is particularly disgusting. They will carry the corpse of a relative several miles upon a bier, a month or two after the decease. Three of the above persons had been dead only one month. The scull is exposed, while the people are crying.
A few weeks after Mr. Marsden's departure, a quarrel arose between the Chief Koro-koro, who accompanied us from Port Jackson, and Okeeda, another Chief, whose territory is near Whangorooa, which was attended with serious consequences. Koro-koro's people had one day, while passing by the district of Okeeda, taken some potatoes from a farm on shore; which the natives resenting, recourse was had to arms. One of Okeeda's men was slain, and was buried on his own ground. A little time after, Okeeda collected his people together, and, coming to the Bay, made a descent on Koro-koro. His property, and several hogs in an adjacent island, belonging to Pomarre, were destroyed. A colt which Mr. Marsden presented to him was also killed.
The New Zealanders will have wars among themselves; but I do not apprehend that they will attempt to molest the Settlers, while we preserve our neutrality, and treat them well. War is the New Zealanders glory.
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Fighting is the principal topic of their conversation. The manual exercise, if I may so call it, is performed as a part of the funeral ceremony. They believe the soul, as soon as it is parted from the body, is engaged in war. The place where departed spirits go to war is supposed to be at the North Cape.
April 15, 1815. --The remains of Duaterra and his wife were carried from Tippoona to Motoo Terra, a distance of fifteen miles. Lamentation as usual.
April 19. --Three Chiefs, Taparee, Tamoungha, and Kullo-kullo, with fourteen war-canoes, and 300 or 400 of their people, arrived from Whangorooa, on a visit to our Settlement. Taparee was the Chief who saved the woman and two children at the affair of the Boyd. He appears to be a mild man, and to have much more influence with his subjects than any Chief whom I have seen. He entreated us to go and settle at Whangorooa.
April 20. --Taparee and his people went over the Bay, to cry over the bones of one of the Chiefs which had been lately taken away from Tippoona. At the time of their departure, Taparee gave orders to his people to return a saw belonging to the Settlers, which had been stolen during the night. This was done; but it was broken into several pieces. One of Taparee's canoes measured eighty-one feet in length, and contained sixty-seven people.
The New Zealanders are very subject to cutaneous diseases, arising from their want of cleanliness. They are also frequently afflicted with violent head-aches, bad eyes, &c. I wish I understood physic, as I think I could render many of them great assistance. As it is, I have many patients, to whom I administer such cooling and opening medicines as they seem to be in want of. They are highly pleased whenever they find relief. They are very blameable in allowing their young women to visit our ships: many of them contract diseases from our seamen; and, in some instances, the unhappy creatures have perished for want, of knowing a remedy. From seamen they have also learnt to curse and swear. It will be a long time before we can cure them of the bad language which they have acquired from our. countrymen.
Sunday, May 7. --We were visited by Kangorooa and Shunghee: they brought with them a plentiful supply of potatoes. Shunghee wept bitterly, when he saluted me.
May 10. --We were visited by the Chiefs, Tippoohee and Taara, who were the principal ringleaders in the affair of the Boyd. They had been absent, with some of their dependents, five months, on a fighting excursion to a distant part of the island, and were now on their return home. They were very hungry, and were supplied with some baskets of potatoes from the Settlement.
Taara (or George) said he had killed many of his enemies, but had not brought with him any of their heads. A little boy about ten years of age was taken prisoner. Tippoohee, Taara, and their people, conducted themselves in a quiet manner during their stay with us. The Chiefs Kangorooa, Shunghee, and Taara were here at the time; and all united in friendly converse, having dropped hostilities.
The people of Whangorooa say they would not injure Mr. Marsden's vessel, should she put in. there; because they are attached to Mr. Marsden, and like the conduct of the Captain and ship's company. They will not give any promise respecting other European vessels.
Sunday, May 14, -- Arrived the Brig Endeavour, Captain Powell, from Port Jackson. Captain Powell informed us, that the Active was ready for sea when he left Port Jackson. He sailed again from hence on Thursday, having obtained a supply of pork, fish, and potatoes, for the use of the ship's company.
May 17. --Arrived the Brig Active, Captain Hansen, with provisions for the Settlement, and trade to purchase a cargo of spars, &c. The Chiefs, Tupee and Timarangha, and some other Natives, returned in her from Port Jackson, highly delighted with their voyage and the presents which they had received.
May 19. --Went over the Bay to Wytanghee, in company with Mr. Hall, where we met with the Chief Warrackie, and purchased of him a parcel of land for the Society, containing, by admeasurement, fifty acres, being the most eligible spot in the Bay of Islands for a settlement.
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Warrackie expressed, as several other Chiefs had done, his fears lest the English should, in a little time, increase their force, drive the Natives into the woods, and take away their land from them. We endeavoured to quiet his fears. He replied to our observations, that it was very good for, a few white people to live at New Zealand, but not so for many.
When I was taking some refreshment, I gave Warrackie a little pork to eat. Having taken it between his teeth, he made a long oration, and then spit it out again. This was a religious transaction. He endeavoured to convince me that he intended no offence by his conduct: he should eat with me by-and-bye.
Arrived a canoe from the River Thames, with some people of Ahoupah.
Sunday, May 21. --Some of Ahoupah's people attended Divine Service in my house. They were delighted with the music and singing.
The Natives have stolen many articles from us since we disembarked; but they have done it in a very secret way, and do not appear disposed to do violence to any one. I do not wonder at their pilfering, they are so extremely fond of iron.
Two or three pious smiths would find plenty of employment at New Zealand: they and their families would be well supplied with the productions of the Island.
June 1. --Came to anchor on the other side of the Bay, the Phoenix Whaler, Captain Parker. She had put in for wood, water, and provisions, on the 3d of March; and has returned for the same purpose..
Sunday, June 4. --The Natives of Tippoona, hearing of Captain Parker's arrival, and knowing him to have . been concerned in the destruction of their Island, were exceedingly desirous to see him, and requested me to give him an invitation to my house: this I did, and he came this morning. When he landed, a considerable number of Natives having collected together, two or three of the principal surrounded him; and, pointing to the Island where the town formerly stood, accosted him, in their broken English, to this effect Captain Parker, see Island! Captain Parker, see Island!"--(meaning the Island of the late Tippahee.) The Captain was at no loss to comprehend their meaning; nor was I at all displeased at their conduct, as I knew it was not their intention to hurt him: I requested them to say no more until Divine Service was over, as it was then time to assemble to worship God. They attended to my request immediately. As many as could, came into my house; and the remainder flocked round the door. When Prayers were over, I told them that Captain Parker and the other Captains of the Whalers had been informed, previous to the destruction of their Island, that their late lamented Chief, Tippahee, was the ringleader at the destruction of the Boyd and her ship's company; that they had been told falsehoods, for Tippahee was a good man, and the people of Tippoona were good men; and Captain Parker now wished to make peace with them: he would not hurt them any more. The Natives, addressing themselves to Captain Parker, through their Speaker (for one of them could speak English tolerably well), told him how many men, women, and children, had been killed; how many bullets had passed through the legs and arms of others; and that seven bullets had passed through the raiment of Tippahee, one of which wounded him, but not mortally; and that all the rest of the inhabitants swam for their lives, and made their escape, except nine women, who, being wounded, sat on the beach, and were discovered, at daylight, but not killed, by the sailors. The interpreter added, that the Natives were now ready to make peace; upon which several of them rose up, in order to shake Captain Parker by the hand.
The Settlers were very much gratified with this interview. The peaceable manner in which the Natives of Tippoona represented their wrongs, without any sudden bursts of passion, and the readiness manifested by them to make peace, have confirmed our good opinion. It is truly gratifying to observe them making such rapid progress toward civilization. It is also pleasing to see a small number of them pay some attention to the Lord's Day. Some of the Chiefs have declared that it is their intention not to do any work on that day.
My young friend Tooi intimated
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his intention to accompany Captain Parker to England. His brother, Koro-koro, consented, but wished him to take his wife with him. When I reminded him of the distressing nature of her situation, in the event of the death of her husband at a great distance from home, he replied, it would be a good thing, in that case, for her to "hang herself," according to the custom of the New-Zealand Women!
June 13, 1815--Arrived the brig Trial, Captain Hovell, and the schooner Brothers, Captain Burnett, from Port Jackson. Some Natives returned from Port Jackson in these vessels. The Natives sold Captain Hovell, as I am informed, about two tons of flax. They also supplied the vessels with pork and potatoes.
June 16. --Died, after a short illness, Tararakoo, the uncle of the late Duaterra.
On Sunday, June 18, Mrs. Kendall and I went to the place where the mourners were assembled. The corpse was decorated with feathers, and the forehead bare, as usual. The people were lamenting over the body, and cutting themselves, according to their manner, until the blood gushed out. Such scenes are truly distressing.
June 19. -- Some strangers visited us from the western side of the Island. They brought with them hogs and other things; and departed, well satisfied with their bargains of axes, &c.
July 11. -- Sailed the Active, for Port Jackson, having obtained a cargo of spars, flax, &c. The Chiefs Takokee, Wittohee, and some other Natives, embarked in her.
A few days previous to the departure of the Brig Active, died my aged and much-respected friend Kangorooa. I have to regret the loss of this Chief, who has been always our friend, and possessed great influence among his countrymen. He was a man of great activity and industry; and his Joss will, on this account, be very much felt among his people. I am sorry that I had not an opportunity to pay him a visit during his illness. His brother Shunghee, I am told, was quite overwhelmed with sorrow; and attempted to hang himself twice, but was providentially prevented.
July 17. --I paid a visit to my friends, the Natives of Tippoona. A woman had caught a violent cold, which caused an inflammation in her eyes. Her face and neck were very much swollen; and she was given up for lost. By the application of blisters, she has been restored to health.
July 18. -- A Native came to me, apparently in a deep decline. He also had caught cold, and had not taken care of himself. The Natives are not in the least aware of the causes of their diseases. They ascribe to Atua every thing that gives them pain. The deluded man said Atua was within him, eating his vitals. He seemed not at all sensible of the evil consequences of drinking cold water, when in a raging fever. I gave him such things to take as I thought most suitable. He also has been restored to health.
July 21. -- visited a man named Tawhimoode, who, I was informed, was near the point of death. He was tabooed, and was attended by two Priests and some other friends, who, notwithstanding the taboo, allowed me to have access to him. He appeared to be very much alarmed, under the apprehension that the reptile God was within him, and that he should soon die. I endeavoured to quiet his fears, by shewing him the gross mistake under which he lay, in imagining the Deity was within him. I told him that the Great Atua was above; that all men had offended him; and that he had said all men must die. I then told him, that although all men died, yet the Great Atua gave his Son Jesus Christ for us; and those who believe that, and pray to him, their spirits would live and be happy. This was, of course, quite a new subject to him; nor do I think that he could understand me: but it is best to declare my errand as well as I can, trusting, as I do, that the same gracious Saviour will enable either me, or some one after me, to speak concerning Him in a clearer manner.
I ordered some sago and tea to be given to the sick person, who had been without food three days; after taking of which he appeared to be a little revived.
July 22. --As I was passing through the village, I was requested by some of the Natives to visit a boy, about thirteen or fourteen years of age, who
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appeared to be in a consumption. He had caught a violent cold, which had settled on his lungs. I ordered him to come down to my house, and gave him some food and medicine. In a little time he recovered.
Sunday, June 23. -- I went, with Mrs. Kendall, to see the people mourning for Tawhimoode, who died early in the morning. The corpse was placed in an upright posture, as is usual. The face had been oiled, in order to make the marks of the tattooing clear. The hair had been cut, and was neatly tied up, and ornamented with feathers. As the people came near to cry, they kneeled down in a row, in front of the dead body. They then commenced the usual bitter cry, cutting themselves, and addressing the deceased. If the New Zealanders do not worship the dead, they do not appear to have any worship at all. The lungs of the deceased were affected; yet I think he might have lived much longer, if proper care had been taken of him. When I visited him, he was in a warm hut, and a fire was near him. He came out to eat his victuals, as he durst not eat in the house, from the fear that Atua would immediately kill him. The weather was cold, and he hastened his death by drinking cold water.
July 24. -- I was invited to visit my friend Warree, who had been ill some months, He appeared to be in a rapid decline, coughing and spitting very much. He also was tabooed; but he wished me to speak to him, and ventured to take hold of my hand. He said, he was very much afraid that Atua would kill him. I endeavoured to explain to him, that there was one Great Atua, who made the Universe. I could tell him, in his own language, that all men had offended this Great Atua, and therefore all men died; that I should soon die myself, as well as he; but that the Great Atua had such love for men, that he sent his Son Jesus Christ to save their souls. It was for this reason that I and my colleagues spake so much about Jesus Christ. He loved us; and, if we loved Him, we need never be afraid to die. I added, that Jesus Christ lived once on earth, that he rose from the dead the third day after his death, and that he is now in heaven, where he will receive the spirits of those who love him, as soon as they die. I also endeavoured to convince him of the absurdity of one eye becoming a star in the heavens, and the other assuming a human shape and fighting at the Trayingha, or Cavern of Atua, which is at the Three Kings, off the North Cape. Warree listened with attention to all that I said; but could not overcome the prejudices which were rivetted in his mind. A priest came near us after we had finished our conversation, to whom Warree recited what he had just heard from me.
July 30. Sunday. --In the morning, I went to see some of my friends, the Natives, who were crying over the corpses of three relatives who had just departed this life.
In the afternoon, I visited a sick person, who was near the point of death. I gave him some medicine, but it was too late: he died early on Monday morning.
In the winter season, I am informed, the Natives die very fast. Many of them are actually starved to death; but they do not appear to be at all aware of the cause. Their superstition tends greatly to increase their mortality. The climate is very moist; and, by exposing themselves to the weather, they frequently catch cold. They never eat in their houses; neither do they sleep in them, after they find themselves ill. Instead of endeavouring to promote, perspiration, by keeping themselves warm, they check it by sleeping in the open air and drinking cold water.
August 18. -- I went up the river about twelve miles, to sow some wheat for my friends Shunghee and Tairee.
August 21. -- I went up the river about six miles, to sow some wheat for my friend Shourackie. Mr. King accompanied me.
Aug. 28. -- I went up the river about twelve miles, to sow some wheat for Widouah, Tahoa, and Rewa.
Aug. 31. -- Returned to the Bay, the brig Trial, Captain Hovell, and the schooner Brothers, Captain Burnett. Captain Hovell states, that, on Sunday the 20th instant, an attempt was made by the Natives, near Mercury Bay, to take both his vessels.
Sept. 26. -- I wish to bring before the notice of the Society the following
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particulars: -- 1. The distressed condition of the Natives in the winter, and the great mortality. 2. The greater population toward the South. Heenamatte Horo is queen of a large interior district, on the other side of the Thames. 3. Embalming of the dead, and the putting of the corpse into a box. 4. The murder of infants; and the suicide of parents, on the death of their partners. 5. The moisture of the climate.
Sept. 28, 1815. -- The brig Active arrived from Port Jackson. The Natives on board, all well.
Oct. 4. -- Sailed the brig Trial, for Otaheite; and the schooner Brothers, for Port Jackson.
Oct. 31. -- Sailed the brig Active, for Port Jackson, with several Chiefs on board. She returned into the Bay on Sunday, Nov. 5th, but left on the 8th.
Nov. 30. -- Mr. Hunt, the Chief Mate of the Phoenix Whaler, and a boat's crew, broke into my house, because I refused, as a Magistrate, to allow Captain Parker to land a man whom he had engaged to reland at Sydney, whence he had brought him. As soon as the Natives perceived what was going on, about 100 of them, armed, came down from the village to our protection. The Mate and sailors were glad to retire.
Jan. 0, 1816. -- The people of Wytanghee came to demand the two surviving wives of the late Duaterra, and the wife of Tararakoo. One of Duaterra's wives had lately transgressed the laws of her country, in marrying a young man.
Jan. 22. -- The Settlement is crowded with visitors from the River Thames, the North Cape, Whangorooa, and different parts of the country. We can now supply it with potatoes, which our friends have brought, for some months to come. It is pleasing to see the perfect harmony which subsists between us and all the Natives. They are busy in performing their military exercise. A stranger would be terrified with the shoutings, and the noise of the spears, battle-axes, clubs, and muskets, dashing one against another. They strive to excel one another in making wry faces, putting out their tongues, rolling their eyes, and trying every method to make themselves look frightful. But we think nothing of all this, as we know we are at peace with them. The Female Settlers are now under no apprehensions respecting their safety. We do not publickly oppose the Natives in their Heathenish Customs; but speak a word in season, as we have an opportunity.
Jan. 29. -- Mr. and Mrs. Hall, and the children, returned to our Settlement, from Wytanghee; having been plundered of part of their property three days since. Mrs. Hall has received a severe blow on the face; but 1 am very happy to say she is already getting better. Captain Graham, of the Catharine, kindly assisted Mr. Hall with his boats and men; for which he deserves our best thanks. I hope we shall now live together in peace and safety. The Natives here are our friends.
We close these extracts with the following general remarks:--
All the Natives who have come to our Settlement for axes and other iron tools have been supplied. We have suffered none to go away disappointed. The smith is constantly at work: he has, indeed, more work on his hands than any Settler. We could not do without a Smith; he is, in my opinion, under Divine Providence, a great means of our protection. The Natives are yet unsettled, as must be expected. They cannot bear to see property before their eyes, without coveting it. While they see the smith at work, their attention is directed toward him. They know we have no trade before hand, to tempt them to plunder: they therefore wait until they can obtain it from him.
So far as I can judge, Divine Providence seems to be preparing the way for his Gospel to be introduced among the Natives of New Zealand. It will, I have no doubt, be peculiarly gratifying to the Society to hear of our prospects bidding fair. The Natives have no objection to kneel down with us, either in public on the Lord's Day, or when we meet for prayer with our families. I can speak to them in their own tongue, as yet but very imperfectly; but when, in my incorrect way, I attempt to tell them of God the Creator of the World, and of the great love of Jesus Christ for mankind, they listen with respect and
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attention. A Minister of Christ would be well received. The Society would act wisely, to encourage more Christian Adventurers to embark for this Island. We are in want of a few persons of talent, to assist in fixing the language. I and my colleagues, sensible of our weakness, call for help. Families may be supported here, in a little time, as we believe, for a very trifling expense. Before any other friends can arrive from England, I have no doubt, but that, through the divine blessing, the Settlement will be established. I entertain the glad idea that the time of these poor creatures' deliverance is at hand.
Various points are touched on in the preceding Journal, on which we shall be able to throw further light in our next Number, from the communications of the other Settlers and of Mr. Marsden.
