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District of New-York, s

(L. S.)

DU

20

566

BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the twenty-eighth

day of September, in the thirty-eighth year of the Independence of the United States of America, WILLIAM SMITH of the said District, hath deposited in this office the title of a Book, the right whereof he claims as Proprietor, in the words following, to wit: "JOURNAL OF A VOYAGE IN THE MISSIONARY SHIP DUFF, TO THE PACIFIC OCEAN IN THE YEARS 1796, 7, 8, 9 1800, 1, 2, &c.: COMPREHENDING AUTHENTIC AND CIRCUMSTANTIAL NARRATIVES OF THE DISASTERS WHICH ATTENDED THE FIRST EFFORT OF THE LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY. INTERSPERSED WITH A VARIETY OF SINGULAR INCIDENTS AND ADVENTURES, WITH AN APPENDIX CONTAINING INTERESTING CIRCUMSTANCES IN THE LIFE OF CAPTAIN JAMES WILSON, THE COMMANDER OF THE DUFF, WHEN HE WAS ENGAGED IN THE WARS IN THE EAST INDIES, AND TAKEN PRISONER BY HYDER ALLY'S TROOPSHIS BOLD ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE, AND SUBSEQUENT DIFFICULTIES."-BY WILLIAM SMITH.

an

In conformity to the Act of the Congress of the United States, entitled "An Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the time therein mentioned." And also to an Act, entitled " Act, supplementary to an Act, entitled an Act for the encouragement of Learning, by securing the copies of Maps, Charts, and Books to the authors and proprietors of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints."

THERON RUDD, Clerk of the New-York District.

PREFACE.

AMONG the various literary productions which are continually offered for public information and patronage, none are so much sought after, or read with so much interest, as authentic narratives of the navigator and traveller. The mind of the reader, not being confined to explore any particular abstruse science, pursues them in their journey, and, with a fellow-feeling enters into their circumstances, when presented with the incidents and adventures, to which they have been subject. That pleasure and utility are afforded by perusing works of this kind, is generally acknowledged; the author, therefore, is of opinion that this little book will not be unacceptable, as the events therein narrated are conceived to be interesting, and suitable to all descriptions of readers.

This compilation, which, for the most part, was made from actual observation and experience, is respectfully presented, unadorned with studied elegance of language; it is therefore hoped that the reader, being only desirous of information, will also possess the candour to overlook the defects, in this respect, of which the writer is fully sensible; or the inaccuracies which may have escaped his notice.

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The following pages are principally intended to exhibit the enlarged and benevolent object of the "London Missionary Society," whose motives were, to establish missionary settlements on the numerous groups of islands in the Pacific ocean; to disseminate the gospel of Christ among "those that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron;" and to introduce useful learning, and the arts and sciences; the preparation of the ship, her arrival at Otaheite, and the subsequent pursuits and disasters of the Missionaries; and the peculiar dispensations of Divine Providence, which the writer, and several individuals of the mission experienced.

The increasing intercourse of Europeans and Americans, with this remote part of the globe, has excited much desire of obtaining correct information concerning a people who have attracted such a share of attention and inquiry: it is therefore also intended to describe some of the peculiar customs and manners of the islanders, together with the situations, nature, and productions of this delightful part of the world.

NEW-YORK, JULY, 1813.

JOURNAL

OF A

VOYAGE TO THE

PACIFIC OCEAN.

141

CHAPTER I.

An introduction, giving a view of the formation of the "London Missionary Society," the equipment of the Ship Duff; the designation of the Missionaries, and their departure from England.

IN the year 1796, a number of respectable persons

in London, and various parts of England, friendly to the extension of the Redeemer's Kingdom, conceived that missions to the numerous groups of islands in the Pacific Ocean, would be crowned with the happiest results. In pursuance of which, many professing christians of divers denominations, were united in a body, the more effectually to promote this laudable work, and assumed the title of " the London Missionary Society." Their views were principally directed to the Society Islands, the Friendly, the Marquesas, the Sandwich, and the Pelew; but the first object of their benevolent intentions was the Society Islands. Accordingly the ship Duff burthened 300 tons, com

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