Joseph Banks - Endeavour Journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0330
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[Page 330]
Otahite
least instead of those of people who are intirely unconcernd in the affair & have not probably interest enough with their superiors (to whoom all valuable things are carried) to procure the restoration demanded.
15. Some few presents today but no trade at all we found ourselves today involvd in an unexpected dificulty with regard to the boats they were loaded with provisions which their owners must live upon or starve in consequence of which they ask leave to go & take them out & are allowd to do so as much as they can eat we are not able however to distinguish the true owners so many avail themselves of this indulgence by stealing their neighbours which we cannot prevent indeed in a few days more the whole consisting cheifly of fish (curd to keep about that time) will be spoild
16. Some presents today but no trade. Several petitions for canoes backd by our principal freinds but none complied with in the afternoon the body of the old woman which lay near us was removd but to what place or on what account we could not Learn
17. This morn Mr Gore & myself went to Oparre to shoot Ducks little thinking what the consequence of our expedition would be for before we had half filld our baggs we had frighned away Dootahah & all his household & furniture a matter of no small diversion to us to find his majesty so much more fearfull than his ducks
18. This morn the boat was sent to get Ballast for the ship the officer sent in her not finding stones convenient began to pull down a burying ground to this the Indians objected much & messenger came to the tents saying