33054-001758

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[top of left margin] 32/3873 - 18 May 1832

[on right] Master Attendant's Office Sydney 18th May 1832 2-45 P.M

Sir,

In reference to your letter, of the 15th instant No. 97 requesting me to obtain from Mr Browning, the Master of the Caledonia carried off from Moreton Bay some time ago by Convicts, a detailed account of their proceedings in that Vessel up to the time of his leaving her at the Navigator's Islands, I have now the honor to transmit that person's Statement containing the information required, which have this moment received --

I have the honor to be

Sir

Your most obedient Servant

[signed] Jno Nicholson

Master Attendant.

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The Hon'ble

The Colonial Secretary

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Capt Clunie informed

............ 21 May 1832

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Statement of Mr Browning

late Master of the Caledonia ---

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When lying abreast of Point of Amity Island at Moreton Bay, eleven Men came on board in a Whale boat, before daylight: and the Watch on deck, instead of giving the Alarm, was so frightened that he ran below - The Men on coming aboard observed they were so numerous that it was useless to make resistance: but promised, if the Crew remained quiet, to put them on Shore -- The crew, consisting of Eight Men were landed accordingly: but Mr Browning retained, to navigate the Vessel.

Their first Course was towards Rotumah [sic], one of the Northernmost of the Friendly Islands, Long: 178° E - Lat: 12° 30' S --

In about three Weeks they made first Port St Vincent on the S.W. end of Caledonia, and landed for water - There are no Europeans at this place - The Natives, who are Cannibals, came down in number Between 500 and 600, with Spears and clubs, in threatening posture, but retreated on being fired at with muskets, though none were wounded. Remained here 7 or 8 days, and went on shore three times - The Natives were visible daily, and some Men assisted in rolling

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the Water Casks : but these were apparently of a lighter color than the New Caledonians, who are black, wooly-headed, and naked -- At Port St Vincent there is a fine harbour with good anchorage but a narrow entrance: and a still finer harbour 12 Miles to the Northward --

The Second place made was the New Hebrides, in about 9 days: -- passed between Annatom [sic] and Tanna but did not land - proceeded thereon to Rotumah [sic], which they reached in 7 Weeks from Moreton Bay --

On Rotumah [sic] are many Europeans, probably 40 or 50, the principal of whom are Emery, formerly Second Mate of the Whaler Harriet, and Ready, formerly a Prisoner in New South Wales, but now free - These people live chiefly in Idleness supported by the Natives, but trade a little with Vessels resorting thither - many of which, Whalers both from England and Sydney touch there for Provisions - ... Ready, who speaks the language well, has much influence over the Natives, and encorages all Runaways &c. - Emery has also much influence, is at variance with [crossed out] (Emery) [added above] (Ready) and is considered a "Square," i.e. a respectable man.

They stayed at Rotumah [sic] only 12 hours, in consequence of a Vessel bearing in sight - Made for Wallis'

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Island, but missed it, and reached Oteewhy [sic], or Savoy [sic], one of the Navigators' Islands, in 28 days from Rotumah [sic] The motive for going to Wallis Island was the account of its beauty and fertility, given by Ready and Emery: and it is understood to contain about 30 Europeans - Formerly a person named Navini [?], of Spanish Extraction, but a Native of the Sandwich Isles, and past owner of the Chinchilla, monopolised the trade of the Island, but was killed by the Natives, for defrauding them and killing a White man, an American. The Europeans now at Wallis Island have been formerly Seamen in Whalers, [underlined] (not) Runaways from New South Wales - Exclusive of these there are 70 [crossed out] (in) [added above] (among) the Navigators' Isles, all understood to be Runaways, but their names are not known - ... There is a good harbour at Wallis Island, but none at Oteewhy [sic] -

Remained at Oteewhy [sic], or Savoy [sic], 8 days -

The Natives of New Caledonia and New Hebrides are Black, woollyheaded Cannibals, and hostile; others Copper-colored, and friendly

[crossed out] (In the South Seas), In some of the Islands, Americans are more esteemed than English, probably from Runaways being identified with the latter. But the English are preferred in others, especially in the Missionary Islands.

In the South seas, principally,

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