From the elevation to which we had ascended, we had a full view of the whole island, except a part of the south point.  The S.E. side, from which the highest hills we were now upon, are not far distant, rises with very great inequalities, immediately from the sea, so that the plains and meadows, of which there are here some of great extent, lie all on the N.W. side; and as they are adorned with tufts of trees, intermixed with plantations, they form a very beautiful landscape in every point of view.  While I was surveying this delightful prospect, I could not help flattering myself with the pleasing idea, that some future navigator may, from the same station, behold these meadows stocked with cattle, brought to these islands by the ships of England; and that the completion of this single benevolent purpose, independently of all other considerations, would sufficiently mark to posterity, that our voyages had not been useless to the general interests of humanity.  Besides the plants common on the other neighbouring islands, we found, on the height, a species of acrosticum, melastoma, and fern tree, with a few other ferns and plants not common lower down.

Our guides informed us, that all, or most of the land, on this island, belonged to the great chiefs of Tongataboo, and that the inhabitants were only tenants or vassals to them.  Indeed, this seemed to be the case at all the other neighbouring isles, except Annamooka, where there were some chiefs, who seemed to act with some kind of independence.  Omai, who was a great favourite with Feenou, and these people in general, was tempted with the offer of being made chief of this island, if he would have staid amongst them; and it is not clear to me, that he would not have been glad to stay, if the scheme had met with my approbation.  I own I did disapprove of it, but not because I thought that Omai would do better for himself in his own native isle.

On returning from my country expedition, we were informed that a party of the natives had, in the circle where our people traded, struck one of their own countrymen with a club, which laid bare, or as others said, fractured his skull, and then broke his thigh with the same, when our men interposed.  He had no signs of life when carried to a neighbouring house, but afterward recovered a little.  On my asking the reason of so severe a treatment, we were informed, that he had been discovered in a situation rather indelicate, with a woman who was taboo’d.  We, however, understood, that she was no otherwise taboo’d, than by belonging to another person, and rather superior in rank to her gallant.  From this circumstance we had an opportunity of observing how these people treat such infidelities.  But the female sinner has, by far, the smaller share of punishment for her misdemeanor, as they told us that she would only receive a slight beating.

The next morning, I planted a pine-apple, and sowed the seeds of melons and other vegetables, in the chief’s plantation.  I had some encouragement, indeed, to flatter myself, that my endeavours of this kind would not be fruitless; for, this day, there was served up at my dinner, a dish of turnips, being the produce of the seeds I had left here during my last voyage.