l circumstances which might hereafter promise it to be a
discovery of national importance, in honour of the first lord of the
admiralty, it was called Chatham's Island. It is beautifully diversified
with hills and dales, of twice the extent of Otaheite, and a hardy
warlike race of people. The natives described a large river to us, which
disembogued itself into a spacious bay, that promises excellent
anchorage.[129-1] Here we learned the death of Fenow, king of Anamooka,
from one of his family of the same name, who had a finger cut off in
mourning for him. After trading a whole day with the natives, who seemed
fair and honourable in their dealings, we examined it without success,
and proceeded on our voyage.

On the 21st we discovered a very considerable island, of about forty
miles long. It was named by the natives Otutuelah. Capt. Edwards gave no
name to it; but should posterity derive the advantages from it which it
at present promises, I presume it may hereafter be called Edwards's
island.[129-2]

It is well wooded with immense large trees, whose foliage spreads like
the oak; and there is a deal of shrubbery on it, bearing a yellow flower.
The natives are remarkably handsome. Some of them had their skins tinged
with yellow, as a mark of distinction, which at first led us to imagine
they were diseased. Neither sex wear any cloathing but a girdle of
leaves round their middle, stained with different colours. The women
adorn their hair with chaplets of sweet-smelling flowers and bracelets,
and necklaces of flowers round their wrists and neck.

On their first coming on board, they trembled for fear. They were
perfectly ignorant of fire-arms, never having seen a European ship
before. They made many gestures of submission, and were struck with
wonder and surprise at every thing they saw. Amongst other things, they
brought us some most remarkable fine puddings, which abounded with
aromatic spiceries, that excelled in taste and flavour the most delicate
seed-cake. As we have never hitherto known of spices or aromatics being
in the South Seas, it is certainly a matter worthy the investigation of
some future circumnavigators. We traded with them the whole day, and got
many curiosities. Birds and fowls, of the most splendid plumage, were
brought on board, some resembling the peacock, and a great variety of the
parrot kind.

One woman amongst many others came on board. She was six feet high, of
exquisite beauty, and exact sym