FL14425826

463
[indecipherable] Tonga, Oct 3 1822.

My dear Brother,
My family having retired, I sit
down a few moments to write you, hoping to enlarge
here after. You no doubt expected our return by
the H. Michael - the reasons which led to a
contrary proceedure are these, viz. We are heartily
sick of traveling by Sea, - the Captain & his wife
contributed very considerably to annoy us, & to
increase our inconveniences - The Chiefs of Tonga,
but more especially Palau, and Singleton, the
only Englishman on the Island, were very pressing for
us to remain with them - our protection seemed
quite certain, and a Supply of ale our reasonable
wants provided by the chiefs - more over the young
men who came with us were very desirous of staying,
and the Island being now in a state of Political
tranquility, we judged the opening for the introduction
of Christ's gospel truly favourable, and that the
Providence of God required us to rush into the
door which he had graciously set open before us.
As, in the present instance there is little danger of
being [indecipherable] by Selfish (underlined) natives, which, I believe