The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, Vol. III. Being the First of the Second VoyageCook, James
History
The Three Voyages of Captain Cook Round the World, Vol. III. Being the First of the Second Voyage
Cook, James
Cook, James, 1728-1779 -- Travel; Explorers -- Great Britain -- Biography; Voyages around the world -- History -- 18th century
It hath been already observed, that the number of war canoes belonging
to Attahourou and Ahopata was an hundred and sixty, to Tettaha forty,
and to Matavai ten, and that this district did not equip one-fourth part
of their number. If we suppose every district in the island, of which
there are forty-three, to raise and equip the same number of war-canoes
as Tettaha, we shall find, by this estimate, that the whole island can
raise and equip one thousand seven hundred and twenty war canoes, and
sixty-eight thousand able men, allowing forty men to each canoe. And, as
these cannot amount to above one-third part of the number of both sexes,
children included, the whole island cannot contain less than two hundred
and four thousand inhabitants; a number which, at first sight, exceeded
my belief. But, when I came to reflect on the vast swarms which appeared
wherever we came, I was convinced that this estimate was not much, if at
all, too great. There cannot be a greater proof of the richness and
fertility of Otaheite, (not forty leagues in circuit,) than its
supporting such a number of inhabitants.
This island made formerly but one kingdom; how long it has been divided
into two, I cannot pretend to say; but I believe not long. The kings of
Tiarabou are a branch of the family of those of Opoureonu; at present,
the two are nearly related; and, I think, the former is, in some
measure, dependent on the latter. Otoo is stiled _Earee de hie_ of the
whole island; and we have been told that Waheatoua, the king of
Tiarabou, must uncover before him, in the same manner as the meanest of
his subjects. This homage is due to Otoo as _Earee de hie_ of the isle,
to Tarevatou, his brother, and his second sister; to the one as heir,
and to the other as heir apparent; his eldest sister being married, is
not entitled to this homage.
The _Eowas_ and _Whannos_ we have sometimes seen covered before the
king, but whether by courtesy, or by virtue of their office, we never
could learn. These men, who are the principal persons about the king,
and form his court, are generally, if not always, his relations. Tee,
whom I have so often mentioned, was one of them. We have been told, that
the _Eowas_, who have the first rank, attend in their turns, a certain
number each day, which occasioned us to call them lords in waiting; but
whether this was really so, I cannot say. We seldom found Tee absent;
indeed his attendance was necessary, as being best able to negociate
matters between us and them, on which service he was always employed;
and he executed it, I have reason to believe, to the satisfaction of
both parties.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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