Early Tonga

Cook’s Manuscript Transferred to Sydney Mitchell Library

NOT the least interesting to Pacific students of the treasures in the Cook Collection of the Australian Museum, which have been transferred on exchange to the Mitchell Library in Sydney, are four pages in the handwriting of the great navigator which relate to his visit to Tonga in September, 1773.

Cook was then at Tongatabu, or as Abel Tasman called the island, “Amsterdam.”

The manuscript is in a remarkably good state of preservation. It is written in the crabbed, familiar hand of Cook, though somewhat smaller in formation than other specimens of his handwriting in the col lection.

Members of the ship’s company, pre sumably, differed on comparing the physi cal characteristics of the Tongans and Tahitians. “Some of our gentlemen were of the opinion that they were a much handsomer race (than the Tahitians),” wrote Captain Cook. “Others again main tained a contrary opinion, of which num ber I was one.” Both men and women he described as “of a common size with Europeans, in colour a lightish copper, and more uniformly so than the inhabitants of Otahieti and the Society Islands.”

“The women, in particular, were the merriest creatures I ever met with,” he said, “and will keep chattering by one’s side without the least invitation. In general they have been modest,” he added, “though there were no want of those of a different stamp, and as we had got some venereal complaints on board I took all possible care to prevent it being com municated to them.”

Captain Cook found, however, that the Tongans were equally expert at pilfering as the Tahitians. Their songs he found “agreeable enough—not only their voices, but their music also was very har monious.” The manuscript also contains references to the manufacture of clothing and baskets, also the amusement of the Tongans.

The mutilation of fingers puzzled Cap tain Cook and his officers. “We cannot find an explanation,” he admitted, after examining many missing little fingers. He found, however, that the customary method of salutation was by touching noses, “as is done in New Zealand.” “The women take hold of my hand, kiss it, and lift it to their heads,” he added.

“If nature has been wanting in any thing,” he concluded, “it is in the article of fresh water, which is shut up in the bowels of the earth and for which they are obliged to dig.” Nevertheless, he was frankly amazed at the high state of cul tivation which, he believed, must have cost immense labour.

In addition to this manuscript relating to Tonga, the collection now lodged in the Mitchell Library includes twelve draft pages for Cook’s original journal relating, principally, to New Zealand; eight pages from the journal of the second voyage; drafts of five letters written by him from Batavia in 1770; also four letters written to Sir Joseph Banks. Another important acquisition is Cook’s note on the transit of Venus, and a second note relating to one of his charts of Magellan Straits.

Likewise included in the transfer is the famous Corner Copy of Cook’s first jour nal, kept on the Endeavour and written by Richard Orton, the ship’s clerk. It de rives its name from John Corner, who purchased it in 1890. When it was offered

to the New South Wales Government some years ago, however, it was rejected on the recommendation of James Bondwick, who was under the impression that it was a copy. Cook students now realise, of course, that it is second in importance only to the original Cook journal. A photostat copy for the use of research workers was made some time ago by the trustees of the Mitchell Library.

E.R.