During the forenoon of the 22d, not a canoe was seen paddling in the bay; the taboo which Eappo had laid on it the day before, at our request, not being yet taken off.  At length Eappo came off to us.  We assured him that we were now entirely satisfied; and that as the Orono was buried, all remembrance of what had passed was buried with him.  We afterward desired him to take off the taboo, and to make it known, that the people might bring their provisions as usual.  The ships were soon surrounded with canoes, and many of the chiefs came on board, expressing great sorrow at what had happened, and their satisfaction at our reconciliation.  Several of our friends, who did not visit us, sent presents of large hogs and other provisions.  Amongst the rest came the old treacherous Koah, but was refused admittance.

As we had now every thing ready for sea, Captain Clerke imagining, that if the news of our proceedings should reach the islands to leeward before us, it might have a bad effect, gave orders, to unmoor.  About eight in the evening we dismissed all the natives, and Eappo and the friendly Kaireekeea took an affectionate leave of us.  We immediately weighed, and stood out of the bay.  The natives were collected on the shore in great numbers; and, as we passed along, received our last farewells with every mark of affection and good-will.[5]

[Footnote 5:  Would it not be generally advantageous for mankind to consider, when they are about to engage, or are engaged, in hostilities against each other, that it is highly probable, nay in most cases certain, that they shall one day come to a good understanding, and regret that their altercation had been so mutually destructive?  Would not a notion of this kind, far enough indeed from being any effect or symptom of weakness, contribute essentially to what is surely always a good thing, the moderation of men’s passions; and have, therefore, the beneficial tendency, at really the least expence and suffering, to accomplish the only legitimate and avowed end of war, a safe and honourable peace?  But no termination of a struggle is entitled to be called either the one or the other, which, resulting merely from the experience of common exhaustion and mutual inability, leaves the parties to grumble over the relics of their animosity, and to brood on their misfortunes, till new means and spirits be produced to resume the conflict.  There is much wisdom in the language which a deceased statesman used, when he spoke of “making peace in the spirit of peace,” as the only remedy for the political disorders of the world.  But this disposition, it seems morally certain, cannot exist, unless in union with the anticipation of the comforts and vastly superior benefits which such a consummation can afford,—­E.]

SECTION V.