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[Page 3]
means to get them off the natives grew very troublesome & pressd close upon the seamen M de Langles then orderd the Seamen in the Rowing boats to be ready to Fire on the natives but not to do it till they were orderd by him some altercation happening in Consequence of their pressing so close to the French might have Produced a Blow with a Club from one of the Natives which was instantly taken as a signal by the Rest & the Massacre began the natives were armd with short heavy clubs which renderd the Fire arms of those on shore useless orders were given to Fire the swivels etc in the Rowing boats but it was too late altho the natives fled the instant they were fired dragging the dead bodies after them it was supposd that thirty of the natives were killd those that had escapd the massacre swam to the Rowing boats & were carried on board the Ships many of these had received violent contusions on the head as all the blows were aimed at that part. M de Peyrouse thought proper to quit the island immediately after having attempted to regain his long boats which the natives had destroyd.
he represents the natives of these Islands as very strong & hansome men scarce one among them less than 6 feet high & they are more advancd in internal policy & order than any other of the Islands in the Pacific they are surrounded by a coral reef but boats may land with great safety.