I was led into these reflections, by not being able to recollect the face of any one person I had seen here three years ago:  Nor did it once appear, that any one of them had the least knowledge of me, or of any person with me that was here at that time.  It is therefore highly probable that the greatest part of the people which inhabited this sound in the beginning of the year 1770, have been since driven out of it, or have, of their own accord, removed somewhere else.  Certain it is, that not one third of the inhabitants were here now, that were then.  Their stronghold on the point of Motuara hath been long deserted; and we found many forsaken habitations in all parts of the sound.  We are not, however, wholly to infer from this, that this place hath been once very populous; for each family may, for their own convenience, when they move from place to place, have more huts than one or two.

It may be asked, if these people had never seen the Endeavour, nor any of her crew, how could they become acquainted with the name of Tupia, or have in their possession (which many of them had) such articles, as they could only have got from that ship?  To this it may be answered, that the name of Tupia was so popular among them when the Endeavour was here, that it would be no wonder if, at this time, it was known over great part of New Zealand, and as familiar to those who never saw him, as to those who did.  Had ships, of any other nation whatever, arrived here, they would have equally enquired of them for Tupia.  By the same way of reasoning, many of the articles left here by the Endeavour, may be now in possession of those who never saw her.  I got from one of the people, now present, an ear ornament, made of glass very well formed and polished.  The glass they must have got from the Endeavour.

After passing about an hour on Motuara with these people, and having distributed among them some presents, and shewed to the chief the gardens we had made, I returned on board, and spent the remainder of our royal master’s birth-day in festivity; having the company of Captain Furneaux and all his officers.  Double allowance enabled the seamen to share in the general joy.

Both ships being now ready for sea, I gave Captain Furneaux an account in writing of the route I intended to take; which was to proceed to the east, between the latitudes of 41 deg. and 46 deg.  S., until I arrived in the longitude of 140 deg. or 135 deg.  W., then, provided no land was discovered; to proceed to Otaheite; from thence back to this place, by the shortest route; and after taking in wood and water, to proceed to the south, and explore all the unknown parts of the sea between the meridian of New Zealand and Cape Horn.  Therefore, in case of separation before we reached Otaheite, I appointed that island for the place of rendezvous, where he was to wait till the 20th of August:  If not joined by me before that time, he was then to make the best of his way back to Queen Charlotte’s Sound, where he was to wait until the 20th of November:  After which (if not joined by me,) he was to put to sea, and carry into execution their lordships’ instructions.