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- CHAPTER XXXII.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE FRENCH AT TAHITI
As I happened to arrive at the island at a very interesting period in
its political affairs, it may be well to give some little account here
of the proceedings of the French, by way of episode to the narrative.
My information was obtained at the time from the general reports then
rife among the natives, as well as from what I learned upon a
subsequent visit, and reliable accounts which I have seen since
reaching home.
It seems that for some time back the French had been making repeated
ineffectual attempts to plant a Roman Catholic mission here. But,
invariably treated with contumely, they sometimes met with open
violence; and, in every case, those directly concerned in the
enterprise were ultimately forced to depart. In one instance, two
priests, Laval and Caset, after enduring a series of persecutions, were
set upon by the natives, maltreated, and finally carried aboard a small
trading schooner, which eventually put them ashore at Wallis’ island—a
savage place—some two thousand miles to the westward.
Now, that the resident English missionaries authorized the banishment
of these priests is a fact undenied by themselves. I was also
repeatedly informed that by their inflammatory harangues they
instigated the riots which preceded the sailing of the schooner. At all
events, it is certain that their unbounded influence with the natives
would easily have enabled them to prevent everything that took place on
this occasion, had they felt so inclined.
Melancholy as such an example of intolerance on the part of Protestant
missionaries must appear, it is not the only one, and by no means the
most flagrant, which might be presented. But I forbear to mention any
others; since they have been more than hinted at by recent voyagers,
and their repetition here would perhaps be attended with no good
effect. Besides, the conduct of the Sandwich Island missionaries in
particular has latterly much amended in this respect.
The treatment of the two priests formed the principal ground (and the
only justifiable one) upon which Du Petit Thouars demanded
satisfaction; and which subsequently led to his seizure of the island.
In addition to other things, he also charged that the flag of
Merenhout, the consul, had been repeatedly insulted, and the property
of a certain French resident violently appropriated by the government.
In the latter instance, the natives were perfectly in the right. At
that time, the law against the traffic in ardent spirits (every now and
then suspended and revived) happened to be in force; and finding a
large quantity on the premises of Victor, a low, knavish adventurer
from Marseilles, the Tahitians pronounced it forfeit.
For these, and similar alleged outrages, a large pecuniary restitution
was demanded (10,000 dollars), which there being no exchequer to
supply, the island was forthwith seized, under cover of a mock treaty,
dictated to the chiefs on the gun-deck of Du Petit Thouars’ frigate.
But, notwithstanding this formality, there seems now little doubt that
the downfall of the Pomarees was decided upon at the Tuilleries.
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