ABSTRACT
From an autograph Journal kept by Lieut. GEORGE PEARD, of H.M.S. Blossom, under the command of Capt. F. ,V. Beechey, R.N., F.R.S., &c. in the year 18251.
(Printed from a literatim copy of the original in the British Museum: Addl. MSS. 35141.)
16th November. In the afternoon of the 16th We saw Easter Island bearing S. 780 'V., and the next morning got close in and stood round to Cook's bay which is on the west side and said to be the only anchoring ground off the island. But the report of the Master who was sent in the cutter to sound was so unfavourable. from the foulness of the ground, that we kept under weigh. 'Ve took notice of several old Craters, and the general appearance of the island shewed that it was entirely volcanic. The huts of the Natives are like inverted canoes and some of them appeared to be at least one hundred yards in length. The land looks dried up and barren, except here and there where we observed clumps of Banana trees and marks of Cultivation. At two o'clock p.m. the Cutter and Gig were sent to effect a landing and come to a friendly understanding with the Inhabitants. The following is the account of the boats' proceedings given in to Captll• Beechey by the officer Commgl :-
"On approaching the shore I followed your directions & hoisted the white flag, when we observed the natives collecting in great numbers and some hundreds of them throw themselves off the rocks and swim towards the Boats. They came fearlessly alongside and held up bananas, yams, sugar cane, celery, and small baskets of potatoes, but were not disposed to barter them for nails or arrow-heads. One of them on being presented with a nail threw it away with contempt, and made signs by thrusting his bent finger into his mouth that he wanted a fish-hook. Our clothes
APPENDIX IV. 143
seemed to be valued by them more than any thing else, & I believe that any sort of linen or woolen stuff, or even old rags, would be held in high estimation. They would willingly have entered the boats, but regard for our own safety obliged us to keep them off.
