"Inasmuch as we cannot continue to govern ourselves so as to live on good terms with foreign governments, and we are in danger of losing our island, our kingdom, and our liberty, we, the Queen and the high chiefs of Tahiti write to ask the king of the French to take us under his protection."

This paper was signed by four chiefs, of whom Tati was one. It was then sent to Aimata at Eimeo, and, after much hesitation, she also signed. The French Admiral, on September 30, 1842, hoisted the flag of the protectorate; and the chiefs, no doubt, were happy to think that at last their anxieties were partially thrown on stronger shoulders.

Far from it! Pritchard returned from England, Feb. 25, 1843, and declared violent war against the French. Queen Pomare obeyed his wishes, and refused to obey those of the Freneh Admiral. Du Petit-Thouars, on thgse considerations, lost his temper; landed troops; took possession of the island; declared the Queen deposed; and, when disturbances began, which he believed to be fomented by Pritchard, he arrested Pritchard and turned him roughly out of the island.

The English and French press, on this news, made an outcry that deafened Europe; but Louis Philippe disavowed the Admiral, and ordered him to return to the Protectorate. Unfortunately the shock of these violent changes had already disturbed the peace at Tahiti; Aimata fled to a British ship and then to Raiatea; her people at Mahaena and Hitiaa -- the whole Pomare connection -- took up arms, and established themselves close to Papeete; in short, another civil war broke out. In this case, however, the quarrel was between the Poma-

Indigenous Histories