M. Moerenhout

Translation of Pacific Classic To be Task for Australian Scholars

(By Eric Ramsden)

STUDENTS of Pacific history throughout the world will be interested to learn that two Australian scholars have been entrusted with the important task of translating Moerenhout’s “Voyages aux Isles du Grand Ocean.” Though published in Paris almost a century ago, this important work has not, hitherto, been available for students in an English version.

The work is to be undertaken on behalf of the Hakluyt Society.

It is to be hoped that it will be published eventually in one of the cheaper series. Another book long overdue to be re-published in that way is Mariner’s “Tonga.” The latter is only available in the early two-volume editions, and is so inaccessible, except in a library, that many young people of to-day have never turned its fascinating pages.

J. A. Moerenhout was one of the most controversial figures in Pacific history.

In the tense drama played on the Tahitian stage towards the close of the 30’s of last century, he was one of the central figures. Indeed, it would not be exaggeration to suggest that France owes more to him than possibly to any other man that she is in possession of Tahiti to-day.

True, he was supported by the guns of Commodore du Petit Thouars and the might and majesty of King Louis Phillipe. But it was the Belgian, Moerenhout, the first United States Consul, and later Consul for France, who pulled the political strings, who set the stage.

Not a great deal is known of his antecedents. Moerenhout’s life might well form the subject of a memoir by some enterprising student. The part he played in Tahitian history at least entitles him to that distinction.

We know that he came to the Society Islands as a trader, was at Mangareva in 1834, and that two years later look a prominent part in the agitation that followed Queen Pomare’s unfortunate ban against the landing of the French priests, Fathers Laval and Garret. At that time he was Consul for the United States. W T. Pritchard, whose father was the Rev.

George Pritchard, the British Consul, says that Moerenhout’s religious-zeal on behalf of the priests, led to the Belgian being superceded in that office by an American citizen. “He gave his full hearty cooperation and protection to the priests from the first,” says Pritchard (who, of course, was violently anti-French).

When France decided to take up the case of the priests (who, incidentally, had landed at Tautira, on the opposite side of the island, instead of at Papeete, in the ordinary way), the naval officer, du Petit Thouars, appointed Moerenhout to be French Consul. Further trouble arose when the Queen refused to receive him.

“The Queen decided that she had had quite enough of M. Moerenhout,” says Pritchard, “without again receiving him in an official capacity!” The Commodore declared that Moerenhout’s rejection would be equivalent to a declaration of war against the French nation. The Queen surrendered.

Moerenhout, the avowed enemy of poor bullied and harassed Pomare, was instrumental in securing signatures to a petition calling upon the French to intervene, during the absence of the Queen on one of the other islands. Those who signed are said to have been promised 1,000 dollars each. It was France’s golden opportunity.

The Queen was deposed, and a provisional

government established. Moerenhout was rewarded by an officer in the latter as “King’s Commissioner.”

Pritchard also suggests that Moerenhout did all he possibly could to annoy the Queen, “conducting himself most offensively in her presence,” particularly when Pomare, under the impression that Britain might come to her aid, insisted on sailing into Papeete harbour with her own royal flag unfurled.

Tbe Queen subsequently told Thomas Thompson that Moerenhout

“shook his head’’ at her, “threw his hands” before her face, and stared fiercely at her.

“I protested against his conduct and told him that he was a very troublesome man!” she said.

We know, too, that Moerenhout was attacked in his home on one occasion. His wife is believed to have saved his life by throwing herself in front of him. A Spanish negro was executed for the crime—the only prisoner to suffer capital punishment during the Queen’s reign.

Thereafter, Moerenhout seems to have faded out of the picture. French rule was well established by the 40’s, however. It is possible that some of the older residents of Papeete have some knowledge of his later career. Though I was unable, in the time at my disposal while in Tahiti, to give much attention to the history of Moerenhout, I succeeded in finding a number of documents in his handwriting. The papers were all of an official character.

His “Voyages aux Isles du Grand Ocean” appeared in two volumes in Paris in 1837. The book is rare. Collectors seek it these days. Included is a portrait of Tati, the high chief of Papara, who signed the appeal to the French King at Moerenhout’s behest. Tati was the father of Arii-Taimai (whose rare volume of reminiscences is even more keenly sought after nowadays), and the direct ancestor of the numerous Salmon clan.

The most interesting plate, however, is an early view of Papeete waterfront, showing the buildings then in existence.

It is possibly one of Moerenhout’s own sketches. In the short space of less than a century, much data of great historical value has been lost in Papeete. Enthusiastic research by Mr. W. W. Bolton, M.A., has decided several points of importance that, hitherto, were in doubt. Mr. Bolton recently received the thanks of the.

Papeete Municipality for a record which he voluntarily presented to that body. It represented many years of patient endeavour, and careful scholarship.