At the Island Macuna, (one of the Isles des Navigateurs) in latitude 14 deg. 19’ south, longitude 173 deg. 00’ 20” east of Paris, he had been so very unfortunate as to lose Monsieur De Langle, captain of the L’Astrolabe, together with eight officers, four sailors, and one boy; all of whom were killed by the natives, besides a number who were wounded.  This melancholy affair happened in the following manner:  The two ships had been at the island just mentioned some days, and were on very good terms with the natives, who had furnished them with every article of stock in the greatest profusion, for barter:  Monsieur De la Peyrouse, however, had sound it very necessary to be on his guard against a treacherous disposition which he discovered in them.  When every thing was ready for their departure, and the ships were under weigh, De Langle requested M. Peyrouse to permit him to get another turn of water; this M. Peyrouse consented to, but with as much reluctance as De Langle seemed solicitous to obtain his request:  as the long-boats were not hoisted in, they were sent on this service, with two other boats to attend them, under the direction of the unfortunate De Langle.  At this time the ships were lying to, and a strong current set them round a point out of sight of the place where the boats were to land.  When the boats landed, the men were, as usual, surrounded by the inhabitants, who did not immediately discover any hostile intention:  unfortunately, the sailors in the long-boats had suffered them to take the ground, and whilst they were endeavouring to get them afloat again, the natives were very troublesome, and pressed close in upon the sailors; on this, De Langle ordered the men in the rowing-boats to be ready to fire on the natives, but not to do it until he ordered them.  Some altercation happening at this juncture, in consequence of their pressing so close upon the French, probably occasioned a blow with a club from one of the natives, which was instantly taken as a signal by the rest, and the massacre began.  The natives were armed with short heavy clubs, by which means they rendered the fire-arms useless.  Orders were given to fire the swivels, etc. in the rowing boats, but it was too late, although the natives fled the moment they were fired, dragging the dead bodies after them.

It was supposed that thirty of the natives were killed in this unfortunate affray.  Those belonging to the ships, who escaped the massacre, swam to the rowing boats, and were carried on board the ships:  many of them had received violent contusions on the head, as all the blows were aimed at that part.

De la Peyrouse thought proper to quit the island immediately, after endeavouring to regain his long-boats, which he found the natives had destroyed:  he describes the inhabitants of these islands as a very strong and handsome race of men; scarcely one was to be seen amongst them less than six feet high, and well proportioned; the women are delicately beautiful; their canoes, houses, etc. are well constructed, and they are much more advanced in internal policy and order than any of the islands in the Pacific Ocean.  These, islands are surrounded by a coral reef, but boats may land with great safety.