Joseph Banks - Endeavour journal, 25 August 1768 - 12 July 1771 - No. 0377
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[Page 377]
Ulhietea
August 1769
2. Dr Solander & myself have spent this day ashore & been very agreably entertaind by the reception we have met with from the people tho we were not fortunate enough to meet with one new plant. Everybody seemd to fear & respect us but nobody to mistrust us in the smallest degree men women & children came crouding after us but no one shewd us the least incivility on the contrary wherever there was dirt or water to pass over they strove who should carry us on their backs. When we came to the houses of the principal people we were receivd with a form quite new to us The people who generaly followd us rushd into them before us leaving however a lane sufficiently wide for us to pass when we came in we found them rangd on each side a long mat which was spread upon the ground at the farther end of which sat one or more very young women or children neatly dressd who without stirring expected us to come up to them & make them presents which we did with no small pleasure for prettier children or better dressd we had no where seen. One of these Tettuas as they were calld was about 6 years old her ahou or gown was red & round her head was wound a large quantity of Tamou (plaited hair) an ornament they value more than any thing they have - she sat at the farther end of a mat 30 feet long on which no one of the spectators presumd to set a foot notwistanding the crowd leaning upon the arm of a well looking well dressd woman about 30 possibly her nurse.