James Cook - A Journal of the proceedings of His Majesty's Bark Endeavour on a voyage round the world, by Lieutenant James Cook, Commander, commencing the 25th of May 1768 - 23 Oct. 1770: No. 096

Georges Island
June 1769-

Seized upon their Canoes [in margin]

and accordingly went & took possession of all the Canoes of any value, I could meet with & brought them into the River behind the Fort to the Number of 22 & told the Natives then present  (most of them being the owners of the Canoes) that unless the Principal things they had stol'n from us were not restored, I would burn them every one, not that I ever intend to put this in execution, & yet I was very much displeased with them as they were daily either committing or attempting to commit one theft or other when at the same time contrary to the opinion of everybody I would not suffer them to be fir'd upon, for this would have been putting it in the power of the Centinels to have fir'd  upon them upon the most Slitest occasions as I had before Experienced & I have a great Objection to firing with Powder only amongst People who know not the difference for by this they could learn to despise Fire Arms & think their own Arms superior & if ever such an opinion prevailed they would certainly attack you the event of which might prove as unfavourable to you as them ~ About Noon the rake was restored us when they wanted to have their Canoes again, but now as I had them in my possession I was resolved to keep if they would not redeem them by restoring what they had stol'n from us before the Principal things whichever I had lost was the Marine Musquet, a pair of Pistols belonging to Mr Banks a Sword belonging to one of the Petty Offrs. & a Water Cask with some other Articles not worth mentioning: some said that these things were not in the Island others that Tootaha had them & those of Tootaha's friends laid the whole to Obaria & I believe the whole was betwn. these two persons.

Thursday 15th We have been employ'd for some Days past in overhalling all the Sea Provisions & stowing such as we found in a State of decay to hand in order to be first expended but having the People divided between the Ship & the Shore this work as well as refitting the Ship goes on but Slowly ~ 

Friday 16th & Saturday 17th Variable winds with Showers of rain & Cloudy weather ~ 

Sunday 18th Variable winds & Clear wear. This night we observed the Moon totally Eclipsed ~ 

Monday 19th Punished James Tunley with 12 lashes for taking Rum out of the Cask on the Quarter Deck.

Tuesday 20th Got all the Powder aShore to Air, all of which we found in a bad Condition & the Gunner informs me that it was very little better when it came first onboard. Last Night Obaria made us a Visit who we have not seen for some time. we were told of her coming & that she would bring with her some of the Stolen things which we gave Credit to because knew several of them were in her Possession but we were surprised to find this Woman put herself wholy in our power & not bring with her one Article of what we had lost, the Excuse she made was that her Gallant a Man that used to be along with her, did Steal them & she had beat him & turnd him away but she was so Sensible of her own Guilt that she was ready to drop down through fear & yet she had resolution Enough to insist upon Sleeping in Mr Banks's Tent all Night and