The island of Otaheite, which, in the years 1767 and 1768, as it were, swarmed with hogs and fowls, was now so ill supplied with these animals, that hardly any thing could induce the owners to part with them.  The few they had at this time, among them, seemed to be at the disposal of the kings.  For while we lay at Oaitipiha Bay, in the kingdom of Tiarrabou, or lesser peninsula, every hog or fowl we saw we were told belonged to Waheatoua; and all we saw in the kingdom of Opoureonu, or the greater peninsula, belonged to Otoo.  During the seventeen days we were at this island, we got but twenty-four hogs, the half of which came from the two kings themselves; and, I believe, the other half were sold us by their permission or order.  We were, however, abundantly supplied with all the fruits the island produces, except bread-fruit, which was not in season either at this or the other isles.  Cocoa-nuts and plantains were what we got the most of; the latter, together with a few yams and other roots, were to us a succedaneum for bread.  At Otaheite we got great plenty of apples, and a fruit like a nectarine, called by them Aheeva.  This fruit was common to all the isles; but apples we got only at Otaheite, and found them of infinite use to the scorbutic people.  Of all the seeds that have been brought to those islands by Europeans, none have succeeded but pumpkins; and these they do not like, which is not to be wondered at.

The scarcity of hogs at Otaheite may be owing to two causes; first, to the number which have been consumed, and carried off by the shipping which have touched here of late years; and, secondly, to the frequent wars between the two kingdoms.  We know of two since the year 1767; at present a peace subsists between them, though they do not seem to entertain much friendship for each other.  I never could learn the cause of the late war, nor who got the better in the conflict.  In the battle, which put an end to the dispute, many were killed on both sides.  On the part of Opoureonu, fell Toutaha, and several other chiefs, who were mentioned to me by name.  Toutaha lies interred in the family Marai at Oparree; and his mother, and several other women who were of his household, are now taken care of by Otoo, the reigning prince—­a man who, at first, did not appear to us to much advantage.  I know but little of Waheatoua of Tiarrabou.  This prince, who is not above twenty years of age, appeared with all the gravity of a man of fifty.  His subjects do not uncover before him, or pay him any outward obeisance as is done to Otoo; nevertheless, they seem to shew him full as much respect, and he appeared in rather more state.  He was attended by a few middle-aged, or elderly men, who seemed to be his counsellors.  This is what appeared to me to be the then state of Otaheite.  The other islands, that is, Huaheine, Ulietea, and Otaha, were in a more flourishing state than they were when I was there before.  Since that time, they had enjoyed the blessing of peace; the people seemed to be as happy as any under heaven; and well they may, for they possess not only the necessaries, but many of the luxuries of life in the greatest profusion; and my young man told me that hogs, fowls, and fruits, are in equal plenty at Bola-bola, a thing which Tupia would never allow.  To clear up this seeming contradiction, I must observe, that the one was prejudiced against, and the other in favour of, this isle.