Mar 19, 1789 Home Logbook Mar 21, 1789
Revised Jun 30 2021
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Light Winds and cloudy with heavy Showers of Rain in the middle part. Wind No, ENE, SE, ENE. Thermr. 80½° to 84°.
Employed Caulking the Larboard Side and preparing the Rigging for sea. Armourer at the Forge. Many Natives on board, and very sufficient supplies.
After Dinner Tynah desired I would attend at a Heivah that was to be performed on account of a Warrior of Oporeeonnee that had been at Morea and was used ill, and which caused a battle between the parties concerned.
In this performance two children were the dancing Girls dressed in the usual way. Before they began, they spoke, or prayed as it was called, for a quarter of an hour in unison, so that any person might have supposed it was only one Voice, and two Drums beat Symphony between the Sentences. On their fingers they had long Split feathers fastened by a Ring made of the Fibres of the Cocoa nutt and those were presented to the Warrior. A long peice of cloth was then presented to me, and the Children undressing themselves on it the whole was left as a present and the ceremony ended. I however as is my accustomed way made them presents of Toeys, Nails &c. which of itself is sufficient to induce them to perform if they had no other reason.
This Heivah was performed in honor of the Warrior, by Tynahs direction, by which it appears he is of such high power as to distribute publick marks of honor as a reward for publick or meritorious Services.
Mar 19, 1789 Home Logbook Mar 21, 1789