Oct 27, 1788 Home Logbook Oct 29, 1788
Revised Jun 29 2021
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Fresh Breezes and fair Wr. with Showers of Rain in the Middle part. Wind at Et. & ENE. and the Thermometer from 77° to 82°.
Principally employed in putting everything that could be taken away by the Natives in secure places, and in the Morning I erected a Gallows for the Booms, to give me more room on Deck, which I had prepared for that purpose in my passage from Van Diemens land where I cut the Wood. I deputed Mr. Peckover the Gunner to manage our Traffic with the Natives, and we had great abundance of Hogs, Cocoa Nutts, Breadfruit, Plantains, and Apples, some Red Peppers or Capsicoms, and Oil which is expressed from the Cocoanut. My People at no allowance.
The Afternoon I spent in much fatigue from the Intense heat and Croud of the Natives, and it was much the same during the Forenoon. Otoo arrived at the Bay, and sent off to me to remain on board, but to send him my Boat to bring him off. I had dispatched Mr Nelson away early in search of the Breadfruit plant with his assistant Wm. Brown.
About 9 oClock Otoo came off with his Father, Otow Poeeno, and several of his attendants. I had sent an Officer Mr. Christian for him. When he was alongside he enquired if I was a friend of Toote (meaning C. Cook) perhaps himself, as he bears his Name in general, and when I assured him I was, he said, there is my Wife take care of her. She was called Iddeeah. I accordingly got her in, and himself, and all his retinue followed. As soon as he had got upon Deck and I was conducting him and his Wife down below, he desired me to stop, & cloathing me in a large quantity of Cloth we joined Noses and exchanged Names, He taking the Name of Bligh, which they could pronounce no way but Bry, and I that of Tinah. A Woman, as was usual to Captn. Cook and others, came wrapt up in a very large quantity of cloth as a present called Tee, to which was added a large Hog and some Breadfruit.
After a few minutes Stay below I brought forth my present, which consisted of Hatchets, Toeys, Files, Knives, Gimlets, a Saw, Looking Glasses and two very fine red Wings of Flamingoes which I had procured at the Cape of Good Hope for the purpose, and likewise two Shirts. His Wife I presented with some Ear rings, Necklaces, and beads, but as she expressed a desire also for some Articles of Iron, I also gratifyed her in every thing she Asked. They seemed very well pleased, but
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desired to see my Cabin where I slept, which I was not fond of doing knowing the consequence, however I complied, and the result of it was, that he took a liking to every thing he saw, and before he left it got nearly as much more as I had given him before. He was not satisfied here, for after my showing him the ship, he begged of every one he met with, took some of the Gentlemens handkerchiefs, and asked for Shirts and other Articles. As he promised to dine with me, I prepared a large Dinner by Noon, during the Interval he requested me to fire one of the 4 pounders which I did, and also a Second; he was exceedingly frightened; but expressed much surprise at seeing the Shot go so far out to Sea. He inquired how many Guns I had and how many Men, all of which I told him.
I now in turn made my enquiries and found the Imeo people had been at War with him, and he did not scruple to say, he and all his people were beat, drove to the Mountains, and that all the Sheep and Cattle with the Ducks & Geese that had been left them were taken away and carried to Imeo: this therefore remained no longer a doubt with me that there were none left in Otaheite. He spoke often of the Ship that was here 4 Months ago, and corroborated the former accounts, called the Captn Tonah, and said they had many red feathers, and were gone to Tongataboo. From which I concluded the Ship must have been at Sandwich Isles. The account therefore I heard at the Cape of a Ship being here is without foundation, as only this one, as far as I can learn, has been here since Captn Cook in 1777.
At Dinner he fed most voraciously, and was fed by a Towtow who held the Meat to his Mouth and who at times took a bite with him. The Women eat none, but Otoo retired with them afterwards in private, and having desired me to give them Dinner, he sat down with them and eat as hearty as before. He would only drink Cocoa nut Milk, which we have in great abundance, and is the constant drink of my People who are now all perfectly well.
Captn Cook was often enquired after by Otoo and when he would return, asked if I had no one on board that could take his and his Fathers likeness the same as Toote's was done, and expressed much Sorrow at my telling him I had no person capable. I promised him an English Sow and Boar, which were the only ones I had left, as he took a liking to them.
Oct 27, 1788 Home Logbook Oct 29, 1788