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hoping your friendship will excuse it.
Since the former part was written
a destructive war broke out at Otaheite
and still rages there in which many
have been cut off. The King however is
no party in it nor any of his family:
At the commencement of it the Queen, ? her
Sister, with almost all those who had embra
ced Christianity there (of whom there were
a good number) made their escape to this
Island; and there are refugees almost daily
arriving here from thence. At the beginning
there were two great bodies opposed to each
other who encluded the whole Island and some
time after the defeat & destruction of one of
them, the other, which was victorious, formed two
parties & are now actually at war with each
other so that poor Taheiti is torn to pieces.
The Atahuinans, by all accounts, are likely
to have the whole of the Island to themselves.
They are threatening to come over here, but we
trust the Lord will prevent them and con?
this Island in peace. The King has not yet return
ed from the journey I before mentoined, and we
suppose will not, but continue at the other end
of this Island which is next to Taheiti until he
knows how the war will terminate. How these
events will affect the mission & the cause of Christ
here the Lord only knows. He can & I trust will

over run them for the good.

I ? my affectionate respects to your Father, Mother & family
I remain, ? friend, yours most affectionately
& sincerely W Henry