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. 120
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Remarks etc at Sea
1769 AM I set about Surveying the Island & Dr Monkhouse with some hands went ashore to Trade with the Natives while the Longboat was employ'd compleating our Water ____
Tuesday. 18th Gentle breezes at S.& SSW, clear wear. the Trading party had no Success today the Natives pretend that they have not had time to collect their provisions from the Different parts of the Island but that on the Morrow we should have some, & as I had not seen so much of the Island as I desir'd I resolved to stay one day longer to see if any thing was to be got ______
Wednesday 19th AM Variable light Airs & clear weathr. The Trading party had better Success today than Yesterday, AM a gentle breeze at SE as it was known to the Natives that we intended to sail today, Oree the Chief & several more came onboard to take their leave of us to the Chief was given a small plate on which was Stamp'd the following inscription/ Viz / His Britannick Maj's Ship Endeavour Lieutenant Cook Commander 16 July 1769 Huaheine. This was accompanied with some Medals or Counters of the English Coin struck 1761, together with some other presents, all these but more particularly the plate the Chief promised never to part with, this we thought would prove as lasting a Testimony of our having first discovered this Island as any we could leave behind, after this was done they were dismissed & we began to prepare to leave the place but as that falls out on the following day I shall conclude this with a Discription of the Island which is situated on the Latitude of 16:43 S & Longde 150:52W from Greenwich & North 58W diste 31 Leagues from King Georges Island or Otaheite. It is about 7 Leagues in Compass & of a Hilly & uneven surface. it hath a safe & commodious Harbour which lies on the Wt side under the Northermost high land & within the North end of the Reef which lays along that side of the Island; into this Harbour are 2 inlets or openings in the reef about 11/2 Mile from each other, the Southermost is the broadest on the So side of which is a very small sandy Island this Harbour is called by the Natives Ohwarhe ____________
The produce of this Island is in all respects the same as King Georges Island & the manner & Customs of the inhabitants much the same only that they are not adicted to Stealing & with respect to Colour they are rather fairer than the Natives of Georges Island & the whole more Uniformly of one Colour _________
Thursday 20th Modte breezes at Et & ENE fair wear at 1/2 2 pm,weigh'd