I have already mentioned the improvements we found in the plains of Oparree and Matavai.  The same was observable in every other part into which we came.  It seemed to us almost incredible, that so many large canoes and houses could be built in so short a space as eight months.  The iron tools which they had got from the English, and other nations who have lately touched at the isle, had no doubt greatly accelerated the work; and they had no want of hands, as I shall soon make appear.

The number of hogs was another thing that excited our wonder.  Probably they were not so scarce when we were here before, as we imagined, and not chusing to part with any, they had conveyed them out of our sight.  Be this as it may, we now not only got as many as we could consume during our stay, but some to take to sea with us.

When I was last here, I conceived but an unfavourable opinion of Otoo’s talents.  The improvements since made in the island convinced me of my mistake; and that he must have been a man of good parts.  He had indeed some judicious sensible men about him, who, I believe, had a great share in the government.  In truth, we know not how far his power extended as king, nor how far he could command the assistance of the other chiefs, or was controulable by them.  It should seem, however, that all had contributed towards bringing the isle to its present flourishing state.  We cannot doubt that there were divisions amongst the great men of this state, as well as of most others; or else why did the king tell us, that Towha the admiral, and Poatatou were not his friends?  They were two leading chiefs; and he must have been jealous of them on account of their great power; for on every occasion he seemed to court their interest.  We had reason to believe that they raised by far the greatest number of vessels and men, to go against Eimea, and were to be two of the commanders in the expedition, which we were told was to take place five days after our departure.  Waheatoua, king of Tiarabou, was to send a fleet to join that of Otoo, to assist him in reducing to obedience the chief of Eimea.  I think, we were told, that young prince was one of the commanders.  One would suppose that so small an island as Eimea would hardly have attempted to make head against the united force of these two kingdoms, but have endeavoured to settle matters by negociation.  Yet we heard of no such thing; on the contrary, every one spoke of nothing but fighting.  Towha told us more than once, that he should die there; which, in some measure, shews that he thought of it.  Oedidee told me the battle would be fought at sea; in which case the other must have a fleet nearly equal, if not quite, to the one going against them; which I think was not probable.  It was therefore more likely they would remain ashore upon the defensive; as we were told they did about five or six years ago, when attacked by the people of Tiarabou, whom they repulsed.  Five general officers were to command