well to give some little account here of the
proceedings of the French, by way of episode to the narrative. My information
was obtained at the time from the general reports then rife among the natives,
as well as from what I learned upon a subsequent visit, and reliable accounts
which I have seen since reaching home.
    It seems that for some time back the French had been making repeated
ineffectual attempts to plant a Roman Catholic mission here. But, invariably
treated with contumely, they sometimes met with open violence; and, in every
case, those directly concerned in the enterprise were ultimately forced to
depart. In one instance, two priests, Laval and Caset, after enduring a series
of persecutions, were set upon by the natives, maltreated, and finally carried
aboard a small trading schooner, which eventually put them ashore at Wallis
Island - a savage place - some two thousand miles to the westward.
    Now, that the resident English missionaries authorised the banishment of
these priests, is a fact undenied by themselves. I was also repeatedly informed
that by their inflammatory harangues they instigated the riots which preceded
the sailing of the schooner. At all events, it is certain that their unbounded
influence with the natives would easily have enabled them to prevent everything
that took place on this occasion, had they felt so inclined.
    Melancholy as such an example of intolerance on the part of Protestant
missionaries must appear, it is not the only one, and by no means the most
flagrant, which might be presented. But I forbear to mention any others; since
they have been more than hinted at by recent voyagers, and their repetition here
would, perhaps, be attended with no good effect. Besides, the conduct of the
Sandwich Island missionaries, in particular, has latterly much amended in this
respect.
    The treatment of the two priests formed the principal ground (and the only
justifiable one) upon which Du Petit Thouars demanded satisfaction; and which
subsequently led to his seizure of the island. In addition to other things, he
also charged that the flag of Merenhout, the consul, had been repeatedly
insulted, and the property of a certain French resident violently appropriated
by the government. In the latter instance, the natives were perfectly in the
right. At that time, the law against the traffic in ardent spirits (every now
and then suspended and revived) happened to be in force; and finding a large
quantity on the premises of Victor, a low, knavish adventurer from Marseilles,
the Tahitians pronounced it forfeit.
    For these, and similar alleged outrages, a large pecuniary restitution was
demanded (10,000