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. 162

New Zealand
November 1769
[Margin note] Mercury Bay

this observation the Long.de of this place & Country will thereby be very accurately determind. ~ Between 5 & 6 o'clock in the morning several Canoes came off to us from all parts of the Bay in them were abt. 130 or 140 People to all appearances their first design was to attack us being all Compleatly Arm'd in their way, however this they never attempted but after Parading about the Ship near 3 Hours, sometimes [hading?] with us & at other times Tricking of us, they dispersed but not before we had fired a few Musquets & one great gun, not with any design to hurt any of them, but to shew them what sort of Weapons we had & that we could revenge any insult they offer'd to us. It was observable that they paid but little regard to the Musquets that were fir'd notwithstanding one ball was fir'd thro' one of their Canoes, but what Effect the great gun had I know not, for this was not fir'd until they were going away. ~
At 10 the wea. Clearing up a little I went with 2 Boats to sound the Bay & to look for a more convenient Anchoring place, the Master being in one Boat & I in the other, we pull'd first over to the North Shore where some Canoes came out to meet us, but as we came near them they retir'd to the Shore & invited us to follow them but seeing they were all Arm'd, I did not think fit to Except of their Invitation but after Trading with them out of the Boat a few Minuets we left them & went towards the head of the Bay. I observed on a high Point a fortified Villiage but I could only see a part of the works & an I intend to see the whole shall say no more abt. it at this time after has I fixed upon an Anchg. place not far from were the Ship lay I return'd onboard. ~
Sunday 5th. winds at NNW Hazey wear. with rain in the night at 4 PM weigh'd & run in nearer the S. shore and Anchor'd in 4½ fam. a soft sandy bottom the S. point of the Bay bearing E. dist. 1 Mile & a River into w. the boats range at low Water SSE dist. 7½ Mile. In the morn'g the Natives came off again to the Ship but their behaviour was very difft. to what it was yesterday morning & the little traffick we had with them was carried on very fair & friendly. Two came onboard the sShip to each I gave a peice of English cloth & some Spikes and Nails. After the Natives were gone I went with the Pinnace & along 6. into the River to haul the Sean & sent the Master to sound the Bay & dredge for fish in the Yawl. We hauled the Sean in sevl. places in the River but caught only a few Mullet with wch. we returnd onbd. ab. Noon.
Monday 6th. Mod. breezes at NNW and Hazey wea. with rain in the night. PM I went to another part of the Bay to haul the Sean but met with as little Succefs as before & the Master did not get above ½ a Bucket full of Shells with the Dredge & the Natives bro. to the Ship & [indec.bold?] to our People small Cockles, Clams & Mufsels enough for all hands. These are found in great Plenty upon the Sand Banks of the River.