[Page 9]
515 T H E G O S P E L M A G A Z I N E.
tans had been taken from a whaler in the river ; they were kept at the Society's expense, and, from the uncommon capacity of Rymer, it was determined to teach him and his companion ; but themselves were more anxious to return ; and as I was then fitting the Ship Spring Grove for New South Wales, I had promised them a passage in her, and for Tapeoee also : but on her voyage being altered for Buenos Ayres, through the kindness of Sir Joseph Banks, a passage was provided for Rymer and Omoa in a government transport. Tapeoee expressed a wish to remain until the Spring Grove's return, and to go by her to New South Wales, and thence by the first vessel for Otaheite. He was brought by Capt. Henry Wilson's waterman, from the Warley, to my house in Monument Yard, in a ragged condition; I immediately began fitting with sea-clothing for his voyage, and when that was altered, by sending her to the River Plata, I determined, in compliance with his own wishes, to keep him at my house until a fit opportunity occurred for returning him to his country ; and knowing his rank there, that he had been a labourer and menial servant to the Missionaries, I endeavoured to make him useful in my family. He was clothed in a decent, nay, genteel manner, and had pocket-money given him when I thought proper he should have it. No hard work was imposed on him ; he lived well, and had, on asking, liberty to visit where he pleased, and was fond of it. He frequently went to Mr. Gilham's, to whom I appeal to verify this account. I thought him content in his situation, when Mr. Kelso came about April or May last, and seemed, soon after, to be forming plans to alter the situation of Tapeoee. He had applied to a Director, and represented that if Tapeoee was under his care, he could be useful to him, enlarge his mind, by shewing [showing] him the handicraft arts about London, and a knowledge of measurement, by the distance from one mile stone to another. To attain these great objects, he said the Director alluded to, had engaged to allow him one guinea per week, to board him ; but I find, since, that this was not the fact. Kelso came to know whether I was willing to part with him : I answered in the affirmative ; and that when he had done him all the good he could, by enlarging his mind, I would provide him a passage by the first ship I sent out Mr. Kelso said, that any attempt to instruct him in spiritual things would be useless : the story of his being sent by Pomarree, for this purpose, had not then transpired. Mr.Gilham, Mr. Buchannan, and Mr. Purkey, had frequently conversed with him; but his being sent home for the purpose now asserted was never once mentioned during the nine months he remained with me : nor do I believe that any of them will now say such was the purpose of his coming. The new plan was delayed, and I was applied, by Mr. Kelso, to permit Tapeoee to walk out with him a few hours every day, but to diet and sleep as usual ; this I also consented to ; and was generally out the whole of the day : before this he was of some service, but now became of none whatsoever : was dissatisfied, and vexatious to others. As a proof, however, that his mind was enlarging, he requested five guineas of me ; he could not visit the