rebels secured. There were nearly five hundred souls in all. The King pardoned the whole of them, having previously charged his soldiers, if possible, not to shed any blood in the taking of the place. Some of the ringleaders were taken off to Haabai and Vavou. The other Heathen are terrified at the taking of Hihifo, as it was never known to be taken in any of their former wars. They are astonished at the mercy shown to the rebels, knowing the crime of which they have been guilty. King George has fixed upon taking up his residence here; and brings away about nine hundred men,

In

with their families, from Haabai and Va vou, to reside with him. This is in accordance with the wish of King Tubou, and all the other Christian Chiefs. deed, there is every probability, that, had King George gone away again to Haabai and Vavou, the other Heathen would have made an immediate attack on Nukualofa. They had formed the plan of such an assault upon the Christians. Matters appear tolerably quiet just now : but we are afraid, lest there should be another out-breaking; which may God avert!

MANY months have elapsed since any opportunity has offered for our sending communications from this place. This alone has been the cause of my long silence. You will be extremely sorry to hear, as I am to write, the intelligence of the internal state of this island. It is convulsed throughout its length and breadth that greatest of all curses, to any land, a civil war, has been, and still is, raging here. The Heathen thirst for blood; they hate Christianity with a perfect hatred, and are determined to oppose its progress by open war: SO infatuated and deluded are they, that they will not listen to any terms of peace. Their audacity is increased by the mild measures adopted by the Government to subdue them. No attempt has been made to take any of their fortresses since Hihifo. As Missionaries, our situation has been most painful and unenviable, for the last five months. We have not shunned to reprove those of our people who have been guilty of any excesses; and have publicly exercised church-discipline upon a few of them, as a warning to others. May the Lord arise and have mercy upon Zion, and soon put an end to this awful struggle, and save the poor Heathen, who are bent upon destruction ! The following are extracts from my journal :

April 14th. Yesterday morning I set sail for Eua, in order to preach, to administer the sacrament of baptism, and to solemnize marriages, among a number of its inhabitants. We were nearly the whole day in getting there, through calms and contrary wind. We found our friends waiting for us. I wrote out the names of the candidates, addressed them, and prayed with them, wrote out class-papers, and was engaged, in a variety of matters,

till near midnight. I preached this morning at daylight; after which I baptized upwards of thirty adults, and about forty children, and married fourteen couples. The services were interesting, being the first of the kind ever held on the island. On my return, I found a small vessel lying at anchor here, which had brought our stores, ordered about eighteen months ago, from the colony. I have had the pleasure of receiving letters, books, &c., from England.

We

20th.-Friday last, being Good-Friday, we had services as on Sunday. Yesterday we commemorated the resurrection of our Saviour. I attended five services. There were two shocks of an earthquake felt here last week; one of them was the strongest I ever remember to have felt in these islands it was really awful. have had a great deal of thunder, lightning, and rain, of late. This afternoon, we heard of an alarm here, respecting some of our people, who, they said, had been attacked by the Heathen a few miles from this place. In a few minutes, King George was seen marching off, with some hundred men, towards the place where the fact occurred. It appears that about a dozen of the Nukualofa people went to a certain part of the island, in a canoe, this morning, to look for food; and, while there, a great company of the Heathen from Bea rushed upon them, made five of them prisoners, and threatened to kill the rest. I hope they will set those at liberty whom they have taken to their fortress, lest evil should ensue. The deluded Heathen are set upon doing evil. Many say these things are but harbingers of approaching war. May the Lord save the island from such a calamity!

25th. The United States' ship, Vincennes, came in here this afternoon,

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commanded by Commodore Wilkes. There are four vessels in the squadron, only two of which have yet arrived. They are on a surveying and exploring expedition; and say, they have discovered a southern continent, and traced it for one thousand seven hundred miles. They could not effect a landing on it, because of the immense quantity of ice which girt it round. They could discover nothing but sea-birds on the land. The navigation was most dangerous there, because of the floating ice. The Purser and some of the scientific gentlemen called upon us, and invited us on board to see the Commodore. received us very cordially, and was very communicative. After taking tea with him, we returned; and he intimated that he should be on shore to-morrow, at ten o'clock, A. M., to have an interview with the two Kings. We informed him of the past and present state of the island, and hoped he would use his influence to bring about peace. He said, he should be most happy to do anything he could to bring about such a desirable object. As soon as we reached the shore, we heard the afflictive news, that war has again broken out near the west end of Tonga, by the Heathen from Houma firing upon the Hihifo people, while some of the parties were conversing together; thereby wounding five or six individuals, one of whom, a Chief, the messengers say, is on the point of death, being wounded in three places. A sharp skirmish then ensued, when six of the Heathen were killed, and the others fled; though they far out-numbered the Christian party then present. O that the Lord would interpose in behalf of this island, and for ever put an end to murder, war, and bloodshed!

26th. The American Commodore and officers came on shore, this morning, at the time appointed, in order to have an interview with Kings Josiah and George; and, in accordance with our request last evening, has kindly tendered his services to try to make peace, which the Kings have accepted. He has, accordingly, sent a message to each of the Heathen fortresses, requesting ten of their principal Chiefs to meet ten of the Christian Chiefs, at a small island, on Monday morning, at ten o'clock, in order to accomplish this most desirable object.

their cause, who is a runaway convict, and a most notorious character.

28th. Mr. Rabone and I dined with the officers, on board the Vincennes, this afternoon. The Commodore is full of hope, in reference to his inducing the Heathen to make peace. The old blind Chief (Maafu) and Fatu's wife have arrived; but the principal aggressors decline coming. The Commodore has sent another message after them; and has likewise requested the two Kings, and the other Christian Chiefs, to assemble at the appointed place in the morning. There is a tent erected for them; and the Commodore has sent on shore a quantity of biscuit, beef, rice, molasses, &c., to the place of rendezvous, for the entertainment of the Chiefs.

29th. The two Kings, with a number of Christian Chiefs, went this morning, according to appointment. When they reached the spot, they found that the Heathen party had not come, and that the old blind Heathen Chief, with his attendants, had decamped during the night, and taken off with them all the provision which the Commodore had kindly furnished for the entertainment of the parties when assembled. This has opened the Commodore's eyes: he sees that his endeavours to make peace are useless; as it is evident, the Heathen are bent upon war. He made a present to each of the two Kings.

May 4th. The squadron has left for Feejee. We ardently desire the arrival of the "Triton," because of the very painful circumstances in which we are placed. Fatu, the Chief of Mua, has not yet openly joined the other Heathen, and promises Josiah and George that he will remain neutral. Yet, we know, from good authority, that he is privately prompting and strengthening the other Heathen, with whom he is in constant communication, and promises to unite. Fatu is one of the most subtle and treacherous characters among all the Heathen in Tonga, so that he cannot be trusted.

12th. This morning we heard several guns; and felt quite concerned, lest the deluded Heathen should have attacked some of the Christian party, who were imprudently scattered about, here and there, at a distance, doing different kinds of work; but we felt truly thankful to God for his providential care over them. A few of them were fired upon, by a company of the Heathen, who were lying in ambush near the sea-side; but not one was wounded, though the Heathen were within a few yards of them. As soon as the Heathen saw

27th. The person who took the message to the Heathen, requesting them to come and make peace, has returned, and says, they decline coming, and say they are ashamed and afraid. They have sent a white man down here, to plead

another canoe approaching the shore, they ran away, and, after crossing a creek, joined many more of their companions, who were waiting for them.

19th.-Fatu and his people have thrown off the mask. King George and his people went out this morning to get some food. They had to cross a creek of the sea to get to the place. They went, got some provision, and were returning; (the King and nearly all the people had crossed over to this side the water ;) when, suddenly, Fatu's people rushed upon the few who were remaining, waiting for the canoes to take them over. Fortunately, they did not plunge imme. diately into the water, or they would, in all probability, have been nearly all killed; as the Heathen were very numerous, and within a few yards of them, and had completely cut off their escape by land. The Christian party faced the enemy, seized the few weapons they had at command, and returned the fire. Two of our people were killed in the affray; at least one of them in trying to swim across. There are two others wounded; one of them dangerously. The King and those he could collect returned, as soon as they could, to the place; but the skirmish was over, and the enemy had filed. I feel thankful to God that so few lives were lost in this very distressing affair,

III.— Extract from the Journal of (Tongataboo,) from May 20th Vavou, July 1st, 1840.

MAY 20th, 1840. I preached this afternoon, in our spacious chapel. Our congregations are not large just now: nearly all our people are afflicted with the influenza, which, we believe, the American squadron left here. We have sixty or seventy seeking medicine every morning. O that I had more wisdom in the "healing art!" but I do all I can ; and where I know not how to do good, I take care not to do harm.

The poor

man, wounded on Tuesday, is dead. And canoes are now preparing for Haabai and Vavou to bring away all the useful men; and we fear the consequences. But, O Lord, arise and plead thy own cause !

Sunday, 24th-I attended the prayermeeting at daylight this morning. At nine o'clock I preached in our large chapel; at eleven o'clock in English; at four o'clock, P. M., to King George and his people, in their own fortress. There are two whalers here just now: only three men from both attended our service.

30th.-Nine or ten canoes are gone to

considering the great disparity of their numbers, and the very unprepared state of the Christian party at the time. The whole of this distracted island is now in

arms.

O that the Lord would graciously interpose, and put an end to war, with all its accursed evils! The Heathen are enraged because their craft is in danger. Heathenism is vanishing away, before the glorious Gospel of the blessed God; and its votaries, regardless of human life, are giving way to those corrupt and diabolical passions which are developing themselves in acts of treachery, from day to day, in Tonga. I firmly believe that this struggle will terminate in the eventual subversion of Heathenism throughout the island; but what a lamentable and awful consideration, that several lives have been, and still are likely to be, sacrificed! We feel thankful to God that King George was prevented from going away to Haabai when he intended; for the Heathen had agreed to attack this place, and Hihifo, as soon as the Haabai and Vavou people should have left: but their plan has been thwarted. May the Lord pity and save the Heathen! Our people pray earnestly for them every day, and deplore the painful circumstances in which we are all placed, at this juncture.

Haabai and Vavou for more men. 0 what may we not expect from all this! I fear much blood will be shed. The Heathen are determined to fight it out. We hope, we fear, we pray; but when we would comfort ourselves against coming sorrow, our hearts are faint within

us.

As far as the ultimate victory is concerned, there is little room for fear.

June 2d. We are told this morning, than an old Christian Chief here, named David, was suddenly seized, and his immediate death was expected. I went to see him, and found the report too true; but although he expected his speedy dissolution, he had no fear. His countenance was remarkably placid, and indicated great peace of mind. After a time, he said, "My body is weak; but my mind is very strong. I have done attending to this world; I only attend now to Jesus and heaven. My hope is good, my faith is strong, my soul rejoices exceedingly." Then again: "This is a good day for us yes, for us all: for me, I shall go to Jesus; for you, because you will know

this." Many such delightful sayings he uttered. May my last end be like his! 3d.-George and his people left here on Monday, and returned this morning. We learn that they have been at Houma, and were fired upon by the Heathen. Three of our people are wounded, but none dangerously. Our people fired, but know not that any were wounded. This afternoon I preached from John i. 12. Mr. Tucker and I have been begging King George not to go out always with the warriors: it is both unwise and unnecessary. We are told that a ball passed between him and another Chief, while standing talking at Houma yesterday.

6th. This afternoon we were suddenly alarmed by the firing of guns, and for some time knew nothing of the cause. At length, several canoes were observed off the east point of the island, and it was feared they were firing upon a canoe from this place, which was returning from Eua. This, at length, we found to be the fact. The Heathen had observed this single canoe, and had well-manned seven of their canoes, gone out to sea, and surrounded the canoe from Eua. Immediately they commenced firing. Our people had very few guns in the canoe; but as only the men who had guns could be useful, the rest got into the hold of the canoe. Many shots were interchanged. The man steering was shot through the shoulder; but stood till he received another ball through his arm. Two others were wounded; and with this loss they got safe home.

18th-Last night King Josiah, with other old Chiefs, and a very few young men, slept outside our gates, fearing that the Heathen may interrupt us, as King George and his people are gone out to the east part of the island. At such times as these we feel ourselves very much endangered; all the warriors out, and we exposed to the rage and murder of two Heathen forts between us and our own people. Mercifully, the Heathen were prevented from approaching nearer than about two miles of our premises, whence they carried immense quantities of food belonging to our people; and

what they could not carry away, they destroyed, cutting down the bananas, smashing to pieces the yams, &c. About noon-day we were alarmed by a sudden report, that the Heathen were chasing a few of our people. Our dinner was being brought in; but, in a moment, we had to abandon our premises and property. Mrs. Rabone took up our infant, and two girls one each of the other children, and ran into the fortress, taking refuge for the time in our chapel. We soon got to know the truth of the affair. It was a party of Heathen from Bea, who knowing, in all probability, that King George and his people were away, were foraging from the plantations of our people. They fell in with a few old people from this place, killed four of them, and mutilated their bodies by cutting off their heads, which they took away as trophies. O when will these things come to an end! This afternoon a vessel hove in sight; but, from contrary wind, she could not come to an anchorage. We believe she is a small man-ofwar, and intends visiting us. King George and his people returned, while we were met together for prayer. They have burnt a Heathen fortress just deserted, and killed five poor Heathen. O this murderous land!

Sunday, 21st.-This morning, while at our English service, arrived H. M. S. "Favourite," Captain Croker. He was

soon on shore, and expressed himself as quite willing to do anything he possibly could to terminate the war. What the Kings will say to him we know not: we know they intend asking him for help. We have thought of trying to get away from this scene of confusion and blood, which, for now more than six months, we have been enduring; but the scene darkens.

Vavou, July 1st, 1840.

On board II. M. S. "Favourite." CAPTAIN CROKER is no more! He was shot dead in an attack on one of the Heathen fortresses in Tonga: two of his men are dead also, and eighteen wounded. They are now proceeding to Sydney. I cannot say more.

between the contending parties, resulting in the death of that gentleman and two officers, besides several dangerously wounded. Though the statements which have been further communicated to me, by those who were eye-witnesses of the lamentable affray, are substantially the

same as contained in my former letter; there is, however, one point of importance satisfactorily attested, which cannot fail to afford the Committee gratification; namely, that our dear brethren have acted in the most prudent manner throughout their trying circumstances; in support of which fact we have the most respectable and unquestionable authority.

Some public prints having availed themselves of the occurrence to attempt to cast a shade of suspicion over the character of our Missionaries, insinuating that they were chargeable as being instigators to this grievous affair, Mr. M'Kenny and myself deemed it advisable to wait upon the Governor, Sir George Gipps, on the subject, to obtain from His Excellency such information as might have been communicated to him, bearing upon the conduct of our Missionaries.

His Excellency was pleased to receive us with his accustomed urbanity, and kindly condescended to enter into all the particulars of the case, as they had come under his notice. In the course of conversation, several pointed questions were proposed to the Governor, regarding the deportment of our Missionaries; in reply to which His Excellency was pleased to state, in the most unequivocal terms, that they were perfectly exonerated from all blame. The simple facts were, that in the midst of civil commotion among the natives, and when the persons of the Missionaries, their families, and their property were in imminent danger from the attacks of the Heathen party, they applied for protection to the Captain of the "Favourite," which vessel happened to appear off the island at the awful crisis of affairs; and that in nowise did the Missionaries dictate to Captain Croker as to what measures he ought to adopt, but were anxious for conciliation. His Excellency conferred upon us the favour of an introductory note to the officers of the "Favourite," stating the nature of our business; and further evinced the interest he took in the matter, by ordering a Government vessel to convey us on board.

We found the first Lieutenant, Dunlop, Esq., lying in a cot, suffering extremely from his wounds. He and the

other officers received us with every mark of civility, freely entering upon a communication which, in all points, corroborated the representation which we had previously received from the Governor; particularly in vindication of the conduct of our Missionaries throughout the transaction; assuring us of their rea

diness, if necessary, to give their united testimony to that effect.

The statements received on this occasion, as to the measures adopted by Captain Croker, vary in some trifling respects from those represented in my former letter, in which I was governed by newspaper reports. As before-mentioned, when the "Favourite "" came off the island, the Missionaries and their families were in jeopardy from the Heathen natives, and had fled from their habitations for security to a small fort belonging to the Christian natives. Under these circumstances, they were induced to inform Captain Croker of their dangerous situation, and to solicit his protection. Without delay, the Captain directed a number of volunteers from his vessel, to proceed with him on shore, carrying with them three carronades, besides their small arms, ammunition, &c. The fortress, where the Heathen forces had principally assembled, was about four miles inland, and is represented by the officers of the "Favourite" to be a well-constructed fortification, almost impregnable, formed by the butts of cocoa-nut trees, placed perpendicularly to the height of upwards of twenty feet, the wall being several feet in thickness; above this was a kind of net-work of cane or bamboo, to render the fortification more difficult to scale: round the outside of this barricade was a deep trench, about forty feet wide, with water in it; at certain distances there were loop-holes made, to afford them the facility of firing upon invaders. The only entrance was barricaded by cocoanut-trees placed horizontally, with a carronade just within, pointing through an aperture made for the purpose: the whole presenting the appearance of having been constructed and superintended by persons well skilled in the science of military engineering; which there is too good reason to suspect, from the fact of there being, at least, two Europeans who evidently took a very active part in the business: one of them is reported to have been an armourer, and has been a resident on the island many years, known by the significant cognomen of "Jemmy the Devil."

By the orders of the Captain, the carronades were brought within one hundred and six yards of the fortification, quite within the range of the enemies' musketry. Having taken this position, a native female, bearing a flag of truce, was sent to the fortress, conveying Captain Croker's wish that they would surrender, and come to amicable terms with the Christian natives. In a short time,