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and Father against Son. The United States
of America are as much the offspring
of our mother Country as our colonies
of New South Wales. However they were getting
very saucy and wanted something to
humble them, and they deserve to
smart severely for falling upon poor
Britton [Britain[ when she had so many enemies
to contend with. Little did they then
think that she was so soon to stand
majestic among the nations with
the palm of victory in her hand,
and the wreck of Europe at her feet.

But I must wave this subject and proceed
to give you some account of the present
state of things here. The state of the
school and mission is much the same as when
I wrote you last. Our situation is still
precarious & perilous, but it is a consola-
-tion & encouragement to us that the Lord
deigns to prosper our poor endeavours
for the conversion of these heathen.

Since the victorious Oropa sent the Embassy
over here to the King which was on the 14th of
Septr [September] peace has continued though a fresh
eruption has threatened, and would in all
probability have broken out before now were
it not for the King who has been at
Otaheite since the 9th. ult. [ultimo] whither he
was led by the headstrong and obstinate
proceedings of the Chief of this Island,
who notwithstanding his remonstrances &
pointed opposition to their intended measures
set off, without his consent and unknown to
him, to that Island with an army of consi
derable force consisting partly of their own
people, and partly of the Refugees to attempt
to reinstate the young princess Aimata
in her patrimony, and the refugee
Chiefs in their former possessions, custom
which has in many cases the strength of a
Law rendering it a point of honour for
them so to do, & a great national disgrace
on the contrary to decline it. The King
knowing that this was not likely to be
effected without bloodshed, and that some
of