Log of James King, Second Lieutenant. Catalogue reference: ADM 55/123
Simplified transcript
Orders were given to let no canoes leave the bay. … In the meantime, Captain Cook, accompanied by Mr. Phillips (Lieutenant), some marines, and Mr. Roberts (mate) in the boat, and Mr. Williamson (2nd Lieutenant) and Mr. Martin (mate) in the Launch, proceeded to the town on the north side of the bay where the King Kalaniʻōpuʻu resided, his intention being to get him on board and keep him as security for the return of the boat.
When they arrived, he landed with Mr. Phillips the sergeant and nine marines and, walking up to the King’s house, Mr. Phillips went in and brought him out. Being asked by Captain Cook to go on board, a routine, he immediately consented and walked towards the boats, when some chiefs with him (probably suspecting something from seeing our people all armed and things carrying on in quite a different manner than before) came up and begged him not to go, but, finding him still willing, absolutely insisted he should not.
Transcript
The next morning C Clerke came onboard with the account that his large cutter had been stole during the night from the buoy of the anchor where it had been moored. There was no doubt that this had been done by the natives, and Capt Cook thinks, from their late conduct it was absolutely necessary to pursue vigorous measures to get her returned immediately proceeded to put them in execution. Orders were given to let no canoes leave the bay … In the meantime Capt Cook, accompanied by Mr. Phillips Lt, marines and Mr. Roberts, mate, in the pinnace and Mr. Williamson 2nd Lt & Mr. Martin, mate, in the Launch proceeded to the town on the north side of the bay where the King Kerriaboo [Kalaniʻōpuʻu] resided, his intention being to get him on board & keep him as security for the return of the boat. When they arrived he landed with Mr. Phillips the Sergeant & 9 marines & walking up to the King’s house Mr. Phillips went in & handed him out, being asked by C Cook to go on board, a ritual, he immediately consented & walked towards the boats, when some chiefs with him (probably suspecting something from seeing our people all armed & things carried on in quite a different manner than formerly) came up & intreated him not to go, but finding him still willing absolutely insisted he should not.
Each of these extracts describe the same event: Captain Cook realises that a boat has been stolen and goes to kidnap Kalaniʻōpuʻu, the aliʻi nui (ruling chief) of the island of Hawaii, to hold him hostage to demand the return of the boat.
[Suggestion] Divide students into groups, and give each group a source to read.
- Write a timeline of 14 February 1779, the day that Captain Cook died. Mark the major events from these extracts on the timeline.
- Answer the below questions using your extract. Compare your answers with those who have different extracts. Are they the same? Are they different?
- Why does Captain Cook decide to kidnap Kalaniʻōpuʻu?
- Why do you think Kalaniʻōpuʻu goes willingly? Use this Hawaiian object to help you answer.
- What happens when Kalaniʻōpuʻu goes with Cook and his crew?
- What sources and perspectives are we missing?