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Historical Records of New Zealand Vol. II.

Burney's Log. — Journal of a Voyage in the Discovery (Charles Clerke, — Esq., Commander), in Company with the Resolution — (Capt. Jas. Cook), kept on board the Discovery by — James Burney

page 197

Burney's Log.
Journal of a Voyage in the Discovery (Charles Clerke,
Esq., Commander), in Company with the Resolution
(Capt. Jas. Cook), kept on board the Discovery by
James Burney
.

[Record Office, Chancery Lane, London; Captains' Logs 4523.]

At daylight ran into Charlotte Sound, and by Noon got into a good birth in Ship Cove, having narrowly escaped being ashore, the Ship missing stays under her Topsails.

This forenoon the Tents of both Ships were erected at the Watering place, and the Coopers, Wooders, Waterers, Sail-makers, &c., with a party of Marines from each Ship, sent to remain on shore under the direction of Lieut. King, of the Resolution. The Astronomer's Tents were likewise pitched at the Watering place, and the whole made a formidable appearance. The next day the horses were landed. Since our arrival a great number of Indians have come from different parts of the Sound and taken up their abode in Ship Cove. Fish in great plenty. Employed wooding, Completing our water, brewing Spruce Beer, boiling down the blubber got at Kerguelen's Land, cutting Hay, repairing our Sails, Rigging, &c., &c. The Gardens made here last Voyage were so overrun with weeds and underwood that we could scarcely distinguish the remains. A few Cabbages were found, and some Onion seed that had run wild. The potatoe garden on the Motuara Island was not looked after.

At Daylight, the two Captains, with a large party, went up the Sound to cut grass, and at night returned, having got 2 Launch loads. In this excursion they visited Grass Cove, he place where the Adventure's cutter was attacked. Of this accident, the best account I have been able to gather is that our people were dining on the beach—during their mea a Zealander stole something out of the Boat, and was making off with ti, on which Mr. Rowe fired and killed the Thief on the spot. The Zealanders immediately sallied out of the Woods and got between our people and the boat. They say Rowe fired twice and killed another man, but the people's muskets had been left in the boat, nobody but himself having any fire page 198 arms, so that they were easily overpowerd and fell from imagining themselves too secure. The Adventure's cutter was soon after taken from the Indians of Charlotte Sound by those of Terrawitte (the North side of Cooks Straits), a strong party of whom had come over on a visit to Charlotte Sound. The people who are with us in Ship Cove are in parties or tribes, seemingly unconnected with each other, and live in different parts of the Cove. One of these parties are accused by the rest of being the people who cut off the Adventure's Boat. Their Chief, whose name is Kow-ura, they say killed Rowe with his own hand. On the beach where this party lived were 2 Canoes that had been cut to pieces and rebuilt, and it was remarked that neither of these Canoes came alongside the ships. A little before our arrival the inhabitants of Charlotte Sound had been surprised, and 50 of them destroyed, by the people of Admiralty Bay.

Had a gale of wind from the Westward, with hard squalls, in one of which our small Bower Anchor having got foul, came home, and we drove alongside the Resolution, but luckily got clear without hurt and moored the Ship afresh. In Ship Cove and in other parts of the West Side of the Sound the height and unevenness of the Land when the wind is westerly, occasions violent flurries from every quarter of the Compass. A young Zealander whose name is Tibarua has lived on board the Resolution lately, and says he will go with us to Otaheiti.

Being ready for Sea, struck the Tents, and got everything on Board.

Got under sail and ran into the outer part of the Sound where we anchored in 9 fathoms muddy bottom. Point Jackson bearing North, Cape Koamaroo E ¼ S and the Hippa Island S B W ½ W.

The new Zealanders at Charlotte Sound were never so much amongst us as this time: the reason probably because they found more was to be got and on easier terms than ever before, for our folks were all so eager after curiosities, and withall so much better provided than in any former voyage, that the traffic was greatly altered in favour of the Indians; a nail last voyage purchasing more than an Axe or a Hatchet now. Before our departure they carried Hatchets under their Cloaths instead of the Patow.

They often appeared to have a great deal of friendship for us, speaking sometimes in the most tender, compassionate page 199 tone of voice imaginable; but it not a little disgusted one to find all this show of fondness interested and that it constantly ended in begging. If gratified with their first demand, they would immediately fancy something else, their expectations and importunities increasing in proportion as they had been indulged. We had instances of their quarelling after having begged 3 things, because a fourth was denied them. It seemed evident that many of them held us in great contempt and I believe chiefly on account of our not revenging the affair of Grass Cove, so contrary to the principals by which they would have been actuated in the like case. Another cause might be their getting from us so many valuable things, for which they regarded us as dupes to their superior cunning.

As an instance how little they stood in fear of us, one man did not scruple to acknowledge his being present and assisting at the killing and eating the Adventure's people.

The New Zealanders are evidently ravenous & greedy— nothing comes amiss; but no victuals are so highly relished by them as the rank seal blubber we brought from Kerguelens Land, and which we boiled down here. So fond were they of this delicious food that some of our people who attended the boiling have for the skimming of the kettle procured very substantial favours.

Wind at N N W at 9 this forenoon; hove up our Anchors and left Charlotte Sound. In the evening got through Cooks Straits.

At noon took our departure from Cape Palliser; Capt Cook has brought away another New Zealander, a young Boy who was put on board by the father of Tibarua to accompany him. His name is Coqoa. As to the Hogs and Fowls left at Charlotte Sound last Voyage, we have neither seen nor heard anything of them.