Jan 4, 1789 Home Logbook Jan 6, 1789
Revised Jun 29 2021
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Very Squally with much rain and some Calms in the middle part. Wind ENE and Thermr. 79° to 81½°. Sick List as yesterday.
AM at 4 on the releif of the Watch found the small cutter missing. Mustered the ships company, when Charles Churchill the Ships Corporal, Willm Muspratt and Jno. Millward Ab. were found absent, the latter being the Centinel from 12 to 2 O'Clock in the morning. Also eight Stand of Arms and Ammunition were taken away by them allowing to the Mate of the Watch being asleep on Deck.
It was not untill half past four that the above circumstances was found out and I acquainted of it. Not the least knowledge had we of which way the Boat was gone, I therefore went on shore to the Cheifs who soon got me information that they had proceeded to Matavai, and were sailed for Tetturoah in a sailing Cannoe. As the Boat was the most of my concern, I returned to the ship with Tynah, Oreepyah & Moannah, and sent them away with the Master to search for her. They had but just got to One Tree Hill when the Boat was rowing towards them with five Natives who were bringing her to the Ship, and as a thorough knowledge of the Deserters plan was with certainty known, they returned to the Ship and I rewarded the Men for their fidelity.
As the object now was to adopt means to get the people I told Tynah and the other Cheifs that I looked to them for that Service, and that therefore without delay they must proceed to Tetturoah and get them taken and brought back to me. That I would not quit the Country without them, and that as they had always been my Friends I expected they would show it in this instance, and that unless they did I should proceed with such violence as would make them repent it.
It was therefore agreed that in the
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morning Oreepyah and Moannah should set off in two Cannoes and take the Deserters, but they appeared affraid on account of the Arms. This however I was obliged to get the better of by describing to them for the Natives to collect round them as friends, and then to seize on them and their Arms, and bind them with Cords and to show no mercy to them if they made resistance. Oreepyah was very desirous to know if they had Pocket Pistols like mine, for with such he said they might kill him while they were held, but as I assured him they had only Musquets, all fears and doubts were laid asside but one, which was whether I would not serve them as Captn. Cook had done Tootahah; confine them on board, however they laughed when they asked this question, and I showed them they had no reason to fear the Boat being manned to carry them on shore when they liked.
As I have never shown any violence or anger at the trifling Thefts that have been committed, because it was our own faults, and having lived among them with so much harmony and good will, they place every confidence in my word, and are faithfull in return to me. I have therefore no doubt but they will bring the Deserters back, but in case of failure I shall proceed to no extremities untill I have the Plants on board.
Had the Mate of the Watch been awake no trouble of this kind would have happened. I have therefore disrated and turned him before the Mast. Such neglectfull and worthless petty Officers I beleive never was in a ship as are in this. No Orders for a few hours together are obeyed by them, and their conduct in general is so bad, that no confidence or trust can be reposed in them. In short they have drove me to every thing but Corporeal punishment and that must follow if they do not improve.
Jan 4, 1789 Home Logbook Jan 6, 1789