ey learn to consider it as the
only measure of right and wrong; and hence are apt to conclude, that
what they can do with impunity, they may do with justice and honour.
So that the feelings of humanity, which are inseparable from us all,
and that generosity toward an unresisting enemy, which at other times
is the distinguishing mark of brave men, become but weak restraints
to the exercise of violence, when opposed to the desire they naturally
have of shewing their own independence and power.[3]

[Footnote 3: In the preceding remarks, we have another strong
confirmation, if any additional one were wanting, of the opinions
formerly given respecting the character and usual conduct of sailors.
Nor are they less imperative, as to the expediency of modifying the
education and treatment of that useful class of subjects, than what
we ventured, on another occasion, to suggest. They have, however, the
recommendation of experience, to which, in general, more regard is
properly enough shewn, than can be expected towards arguments drawn
from merely abstract opinions, too often so remote from the common
track of life as to be quite inapplicable to the diversities and
complicated relations of human societies.--E.]

I have already mentioned, that orders had been given to burn only a
few straggling huts, which afforded shelter to the natives. We were
therefore a good deal surprised to see the whole village on fire; and
before a boat, that was sent to stop the progress of the mischief,
could reach the shore, the houses of our old and constant friends, the
priests, were all in flames. I cannot enough lament the illness that
confined me on board this day. The priests had always been under my
protection; and unluckily the officers who were then on duty, having
been seldom ashore at the _morai_, were not much acquainted with
the circumstances of the place. Had I been present myself, I might
probably have been, the means of saving their little society from
destruction.

Several of the natives were shot, in making their escape from the
flames; and our people cut off the heads of two of them, and brought
them on board. The fate of one poor islander was much lamented by us
all. As he was coming to the well for water, he was shot at by one of
the marines. The ball struck his calibash, which he immediately threw
from him and fled. He was pursued into one of the caves I have before
described, and no lion could have defended his den with greater