Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0325
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[Page 325]
Otahite
June 1769
they stood to the westward as long as they were seen from the Island I was very particular in these inquiries as the Knowledge got by them may be of some consequence. The methods I took to gain this account would be much too tedious to mention one of my greatest dificulties was to determine of what nation they were which was done thus I pointed to our colours & ask'd whether the ships had such or not no was the answer when the question was thouroughly understood I opend a large sheet of Flaggs & askd which of them they had Tubourai lookd stedfastly over them & at last pitchd upon the Spanish ensign & to that he adhered tho we tryd him over and over
7. We were this morn visited by several of Dootahahs relations women especialy probably to sound us upon the score of our usage at Atahourou we had resolvd at that place rather to put up with our losses than to mattow or frighten the Indians the consequence of which we knew to be scarcity of provisions we therefore treated these people very well making them presents to tempt them to come again & bring Dootahah king of the hogs as we calld him & certainly have always found him
8. Fresh proofs of the Spanish ships every day in thing of theirs which have been left here among the rest a course shirt & a woolen jacket both of manufacture different from any English
9. Yesterday & today the Heiva no Meduah or funeral ceremony walkd my curiosity was raisd by his most singular dress I was desirous of knowing what he did during his walk I askd Tubourai at the same time desird leave to atend him tomorrow which upon my consenting to perform a character was readily