Nov 24, 1788 Home Logbook Nov 26, 1788
Revised Jun 29 2021
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The first part of this Day cloudy Wr. with Rain the latter part fair Wr. with Calms and a very heavy Swell setting into the Bay. Wind at EBS and the Therr. from 80° to 83°. AM I ordered the large Cutter to be hauled up at the Tents to paint her bottom with white lead, which is the only thing that will in some measure prevent the worms from getting into the Plank. Sick list increased by two people one with the Cholick and the other with a Diarrhea.
At 2 oClock this afternoon my boat returned from Oparre with Oberreeroah and two elderly women her Servants. As she is a very large and corpulent woman it was with some difficulty she got up over the side. As soon as I had got her on Deck she sat down at the Gangway, and clasping my knees in her arms expressed her joy and pleasure at seeing me by a flood of tears. I could not remove her from this position for some time. When rising she asked me particularly after Captn. Cook, and was anxious to know if he was coming out again. I told her if he was not dead he would certainly be here in ten months, which perfectly satisfyed her, for the ship that was here lately assured every one he was dead. The Servants had now prepared three peices of Cloth which were wrapt round me, which with a large Hog, Breadfruit, Cocoanutts and Plantains the Old Lady told me she had brought as a present.
I now got her below with her Attendants and a favorite Cat that she had bred from one that was given her by Captn. Cook. As her fatigue had been sufficient in coming from Oparre she wished to remain on board for the night, and I accordingly directed accomodations to be made up for that purpose, which were done done [sic] as nothing more was required than some Cloth spread on the Deck. Every thing being made ready and convenient for her, she gave me an account how her son and Friends had been used since Captn Cook left them. The Imeo, Attahooroo, and Tiaraboo People had all been at War
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with them, and being obliged to fly to the Mountains, the Imeo men had taken away their Cattle and every thing that had been left by Captn. Cook. The account agreed with many others that have been told me, and of there being some of the Cattle now alive at Morea. But in the Number they differ, as it varies from eight to twelve. All agree however that some were killed at Oparre.
As our ships always have laid in this Bay in preference to any place round the Island, they have now begun to consider it as a kind partiality. The People therefore of Matavai and Oparre seem very much attached to us. Oberreeroah particularly explained herself on this head, and repeatedly assured me they considered us their best friends. Indeed hithertoo I have no reason to doubt their sincerity. On many occasions they show themselves possessed of great sensibility, and if I may judge of their regard from their conduct and expressions they are certainly very much tyed to us. They say frequently to me "Oee worrow worrow Eoah n t'inharro Otaheite", which is you have many sincere friends here whose love and regard for you is not from the tongue but from the heart. What people can have language of this kind without having that goodness about them, which one might have conceived could only have been acquired through the means of civilization and Society.
Oreepyah who has been absent from me two days came on board after his mother and likewise brought me a present of a fine Hog and much fruit. I had also a visit from Tittoreah the Father of Whaeeahtua, Erreerahigh of Tiaraboo, but my friends told me he was not asked by them, and I therefore showed him not so much attention as I otherwise would have done, and it pleased them exceedingly. In the morning Oberreeroah being desirous to go on shore, I made her a present of friendship as it is called, which consisted of a Hatchet, shirt, Knife & one of every other thing I was possessed of, but none of them were taken on shore for there she told me thay would be stolen, and therefore desired I would put them away for her, which being
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done she took leave of me.
Up to to day Noon the number of Plants shifted are 188. Supplies have been more than I have use for.
Nov 24, 1788 Home Logbook Nov 26, 1788