Talk of War

During the month of January 1808 the miss. continued their usual labours among the people, and met also with their usual discouragements. Brethren Bicknell, Eyre, and Scott visiting different places in the neighbourhood as before. Br. Henry was unwell most of the month. Many of the Paumotu or inhabitants of the eastern islands were at Tahiti at this time, on account of the cruel wars that had lately happened, between two parties of them called the Auura and Parata. Jan 15^th 1808 a small vessel called the Venus arrived at Tahiti from Port Jackson, but brought nothing for the miss. neither a letter nor any intelligence, tho' a Tahitian returned in her that had gone to England in the Alexander Capt. Rhodes. From some newspapers on board the miss. learned with much regret that England and Europe were still involved in war.