Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 2]
2
By Captain H. Wilson he was introduced by letter to the Treasurer of the Missionary Society, who having declined to provide for him at the expense of the society, he was taken into the service of Captain Wm. Wilson of Fenchurch Street, until an opportunity should occur to obtain for him a passage back to Otaheite. He lived with this gentleman nine months, and experienced every kind of attention, but was decoyed from him by one Kelso, a man who had gone with the Missionaries, and who had seen TAPEOOE at Tongataboo.
The object of Kelso appears to have been, to raise money for his own benefit by the exhibition of TAPEOOE, and in this he so far succeeded as to obtain several sums from many humane individuals. During the whole of the time that Kelso retained TAPEOOE, he resisted all his attempts of acquiring the art of reading, and otherwise improving himself ; and at length he was so wearied out by the ill treatment he had received, that he applied to Mr Gillham, Surgeon, in Surry Road, for his protection.
Mr. Gillham humanely interested himself in TAPEOOE's case, and succeeded in obtaining his liberty ; but not before he had witnessed an assault, which Kelso made on TAPEOOE, by striking him with a chair ; for which assault he was tried, found guilty, and punished at Hick's Hall.
TAPEOOE is now placed at Mr. Lancaster's Free School, in the Borough Road, where he is learning to read and write, and from his great diligence there is every reason to expect that he will attain a knowledge of the English Language, and a thorough acquaintance with Mr. Lancaster's Plan of Education.
Mr. Braidwood, of Hackney, has also kindly undertaken to instruct him in the articulation of the difficult sounds of our language, which are usually so insurmountable to foreigners, on account of the number of consonants which enter into the composition of English words.
A Committee has been formed for the purpose of raising a subscription, to be applied to the support and maintenance of TAPEOOE, whilst he is acquiring the knowledge of reading and writing, and also with the view of raising a sum of money to be laid out on his return to Otaheite, in such articles as are considered of value in that Island.
The Committee trust they shall not appeal in vain to the generosity of a British Public on behalf of a Man, who, being prompted by a desire to gain knowledge, quitted his native country, and in the prosecution of his purpose has been twice shipwrecked, has lived for a considerable time among cannibals, was in danger of being taken into perpetual slavery by the Spaniards in South America, and after having arrived at the place of his hopes, had nearly been sent back again without having acquired that knowledge in pursuit of which he had encountered so many dangers.
The Committee in urging a liberal regard to the case of this interesting individual, earnestly recommend him as a man exceedingly likely, under the blessing of Divine Providence, of being instrumental in introducing into his native Country many of the arts of civilized society, and they also fervently hope, the knowledge of the blessings of Christianity.
-------------------------------------
The Committee by whom Subscriptions will be received are,
MR. JOSEPH FOX, 54 Lombard Street, Treasurer
MR. CALLENDER, Somer's Place, West Somer's Town.
MR. WM. CORSTON, 30 Ludgate Street.
MR. MICHAEL GIBBS, 19 Ely Place, Holborn.
MR. J.A. GILLHAM, Surry Road.
MR. JOSEPH LANCASTER Free School, Borough Road,
MR. ROPER, Stamford Street.
And by the following Bankers ;
Messrs. Mainwaring, Chatteris and Co. Cornhill.
Messrs. Morland, Ransom and Co. Pallmall.