The port of Madre de Dios, which I named Resolution Bay, is situated near the middle of the west side of St Christina, and under the highest land in the island, in latitude 9 deg. 55’ 30”, longitude 139 deg. 8’ 40” W.; and north 15’ W. from the west end of La Dominica.  The south point of the bay is a steep rock of considerable height, terminating at the top in a peaked hill, above which you will see a path-way leading up a narrow ridge to the summits of the hills.  The north point is not so high, and rises with a more gentle slope.  They are a mile from each other, in the direction of N. by E. and S. by W. In the bay, which is near three quarters of a mile deep, and has from thirty-four to twelve fathoms water, with a clean sandy bottom, are two sandy coves, divided from each other by a rocky point.  In each is a rivulet of excellent water.  The northern cove is the most commodious for wooding and watering.  Here is the little water-fall mentioned by Quiros, Mendana’s pilot; but the town, or village, is in the other cove.  There are several other coves, or bays, on this side of the island, and some of them, especially to the northward, may be mistaken for this; therefore, the best direction is the bearing of the west end of La Dominica.

The trees, plants, and other productions of these isles, so far as we know, are nearly the same as at Otaheite and the Society Isles.  The refreshments to be got are hogs, fowls, plantains, yams, and some other roots; likewise bread-fruit and cocoa-nuts, but of these not many.  At first these articles were purchased with nails.  Beads, looking-glasses, and such trifles, which are so highly valued at the Society Isles, are in no esteem here; and even nails at last lost their value for other articles far less useful.

The inhabitants of these islands collectively, are, without exception, the finest race of people in this sea.  For fine shape and regular features, they perhaps surpass all other nations.  Nevertheless, the affinity of their language to that spoken in Otaheite and the Society Isles, shews that they are of the same nation.  Oedidee could converse with them tolerably well, though we could not; but it was easy to see that their language was nearly the same.

The men are punctured, or curiously tattowed, from head to foot.  The figures are various, and seem to be directed more by fancy than custom.  These puncturations make them look dark:  But the women, who are but little punctured, youths and young children, who are not at all, are as fair as some Europeans.  The men are in general tall, that is, about five feet ten inches, or six feet; but I saw none that were fat and lusty like the Earees of Otaheite; nor did I see any that could be called meagre.  Their teeth are not so good, nor are their eyes so full and lively as those of many other nations.  Their hair, like ours, is of many colours, except red, of which I saw none.  Some have it long, but the most general custom is to wear it short, except a bunch on each side of the crown, which they tie in a knot.  They observe different modes in trimming the beard, which is in general long.  Some part it, and tie it in two bunches under the chin, others plait it, some wear it loose, and others quite short.