Narrative of the surveying voyages of his majesty's ships Adventure and Beagle (vol.2): between the years 1826 and 1836 : describing their examination of the southern shores of South America, and the Beagles's circumnavigation of the globe

614 SETTLEMENTS — TRADK. DtC' middle island of New Zealand, settlements supposed to be formed by some two or three hundred abandoned characters, EurojDean, Australian, and American. These outcasts, of whom a proportion are convicts, have established a sort of system amongst themselves, in order to regulate their inter- course with the natives. I was told that they were living "with native women, and, at that time, cultivated the soil but, what will be the consequence of such a colony, if left to their own devices in that distant corner of the world ? Yet, again, where could outcasts, whose state of exile (if they may be supposed to have good feelings) would be as insup- portable to themselves as pitiable in the minds of others where could such unhappy wretches be placed more appro- priately than at the Antipodes ? They should, however, be fre- quently watched, to check any approach to piratical prepa- rations, as well as to give timely notice of such an intention. Settlements of a different character are elsewhere forming, and the establishments of individuals are increasing in North New Zealand, at Otaheite, and in the Sandwich Islands. Be- tween these establishments, small vessels are always in motion and not trifling is the trade in oil (cocoa-nut oil), arrow-root, and sugar, between Otaheite and Sydney : in flax, spars, potatoes, and whale-oil, between New Zealand and S3'dney; in sandal- wood, bicho-do-mar, nut-oil, pearl-oyster-shells, and curiosities (such as native arms, implements, and clothing) between other islands, and Australia, Tasmania,* the East-Indies, China, and South America. Thus surrounded by those who are engaged in a commerce annually increasing ; unavoidably involved in local dissensions referred to on all occasions as interpreters or as jieace-makers ; and I may say, as the consular agents of white men of all nations ;f it argues very favourably for the missionaries that they have as yet upheld the character of their sacred ofiice, though sneered at by nominal friends, censured by enemies, and always struggling against opposition. I have said that at the Sandwich Islands there is a consul ; on those islands •* Van Dieim-n's Land. t At Otaheite and Ovi^yhee excepted.