e were in want of water and other refreshments; that
our foremast would require six or eight days work before it could
be stepped; that the spring was advancing apace; and that the speedy
prosecution of our next northern expedition ought now to be our sole
object; that, therefore, to engage in a vindictive contest with the
inhabitants, might not only lay us under the imputation of unnecessary
cruelty, but would occasion an unavoidable delay in the equipment of
the ships.

In this latter opinion Captain Clerke concurred; and though I was
convinced, that an early display of vigorous resentment would more
effectually have answered every object both of prudence and humanity,
I was not sorry that the measures I had recommended were rejected.
For, though the contemptuous behaviour of the natives, and their
subsequent opposition to our necessary operations on shore, arising,
I have no doubt, from a misconstruction of our lenity, compelled us at
last to have recourse to violence in our own defence; yet I am not so
sure that the circumstances of the case would, in the opinion of
the world, have justified the use of force on our part in the first
instance. Cautionary rigour is at all times invidious; and has this
additional objection to it, that the severity of a preventive course,
when it best succeeds, leaves its expediency the least apparent.

During the time we were thus engaged, in concerting some plan for
our future conduct, a prodigious concourse of natives still kept
possession of the shore; and some of them came off in canoes, and
had the boldness to approach, within pistol-shot of the ships, and to
insult us by various marks of contempt and defiance. It was with great
difficulty we could restrain the sailors from the use of their arms
on these occasions; but as pacific measures had been, resolved on, the
canoes were suffered to return unmolested. In pursuance of this plan,
it was determined, that I should proceed toward the shore, with the
boats of both ships, well manned and armed; with a view to bring the
natives to a parley, and, if possible, to obtain a conference with
some of the chiefs.

If this attempt succeeded, I was to demand the dead bodies, and
particularly that of Captain Cook; to threaten them with our vengeance
in case of a refusal; but by no means to fire, unless attacked; and
not to land on any account whatever. These orders were delivered to me
before the whole party, and in the most positive manner