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Bounty Logbook Remarks, Nov. 4, 1788

Remarks in Matavai Bay Tuesday 4th November 1788

Squally with Rain and intervals of fair Weather. Wind from NE to EBS. Thermometer from 81½° to 78°.

Several petty Thefts having been committed by the Natives owing to the negligence and inattention of the Petty Officers and Men, which has always more or less a tendency to alarm the Cheifs. I was under the necessity this afternoon to punish Alexander Smith with 12 lashes for suffering the Gudgeon of the large Cutter to be drawn out without knowing it. Several Cheifs were on board at the time, and with their wives interceeded for the Man, but seeing it had no effect they retired; and the women in general showed every degree of Sympathy which marked them to be the most humane and affectionate creatures in the World.

Mr. Nelson to day with assistance from the ship, completed a large Garden near the Tents, and as I had collected a large assortment of seeds at the Cape of Good Hope, a quantity of each kind was sown, among which were many sorts of melons. All these good things I told them was sent by King George to his Friends at Matavai, and in return Otoo told me I should have a great many Bread fruit Trees. I said I was preparing a place to take them in, and that should see it, which I knew he would whether I chose it or not, and I accordingly shewed him the Cabbin and the preparations, at which he was exceedingly pleased, only desiring when the next ship came I would get the King to send him large Axes, Files, Saws, Cloth of all kinds, Hats, Chairs, Bedsteads with lockers or drawers underneath, Guns Musquets and Ammunition, with a little ship or large Boat and Sails. All of which I promised and I hope will generally be complied with.

I received a present of a large Hog and some Breadfruit from Otoo and I made him liberal presents in return, and to several other inferior Cheifs about Matavai and adjoining Districts, and I seem to have established myself so well among them, that Mr. Nelson will have little trouble in getting the Plants.

The Natives to day brought off two different kinds of Roots that grow like a yam and of a yellow colour insides One they called Ettee and is a sweet Root such as I have seen in the Friendly Islands, the other is of the Bread kind called Appay.

A number of the Red Apples called Ay-yah were brought also the Vee or Aoce which are not quite in season, these last are a high flavored fine fruit.

I now find that Otoo or more properly Tynah, for that is his name since the sovereignty is devolved to his son, is still the greatest personage on this part of the Island. I shall now therefore for the future call him Tynah, the name of Otoo or Too, as it is differently spoken, being now the name of his eldest son who is between five and six years old, reigning under the direction of his Father, whose name always goes from him, as soon as he has a son. Under such circumstances that a Parent should lose his power and authority is a most extraordinary thing, but I beleive it is not less true, than it is unnatural and absurd. Tynah by his wife Iddeah has four children Viz. Otoo, or Too, Erreepahigh, Terrenahoroah a Daughter, Terreetappanooai a son, Tahamydooah a Daughter.

Tynah has now with Moannah, removed their dwelling close to the Tents, so that I hope they will be a means of preventing any of the lower class coming in the night time with an intention of theiving or on any other account. I have shown my approbation and thanks on this occasion by making them presents, and I have promised Tynah that when I go away I shall leave a number of things that will be of Service to him, for which he appears assidious [assiduous] and attentive.

A Cheif of much consequence and related to Tynah has been here these two days from Ulietea. He is called Tootaha, and I made him some presents as Tynah thought proper, as he himself sorted the different Articles being fully acquainted with my treasure, and I must say, he was more sparing than I should have been, had I had the management.

Odiddee also paid me a visit who confirmed to me the death of Omai, and Tyvarooah the eldest New Zeland Boy. He told me also that Omai's house had been burnt down by accident and that the Stone Horse was dead. Omai's musquets he said were still taken care of, and that Coah the youngest New Zeland Boy was very well. Odiddee was with Captain Cook a trip to the Southward and the little English and politeness he learnt with him during that time, he has perfectly retained.

Tynah, Tootaha and Poeeno with their Wives came on board to dinner, but the latter according to custom dined in private.

The sick list to day contained under the complaint Cholera Morbus George Simpson and John Millward and Charles Norman under a Peripneumonia notha.

I bought another milch goat for the use of these people. I also got a few baskets of cresses which I ordered to be boiled in the Broth. We have still great supplies, and I continue to salt all the large Hogs, to do which all the Bones are taken out and of these very fine Broth is made for all hands.

Poeedooah of Ulietea, the Lady who Mr. Webber made a painting of, Odiddee told me was Dead.

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