by John Marshall

“ Sir John Byron, and Sir Gervis Clifton, were intimate friends, and neighbours, being both Nottinghamshire gentlemen. And though Byron fought under Henry, and Clifton under Richard, it no way diminished their friendship, but proved, what rarely happens, that friendship genuine. They had exchanged a prior oath, ‘that if either of them was vanquished, the other should intercede with the conqueror, that the estate of the loser might not be forfeited, but enjoyed by his family’. While Clifton was bravely fighting in the troop, he received a blow which overpowered him, and he fell. ”

“ The natives of the islands having embraced Christianity, the regent gave permission to Lord Byron to visit the sacred sepulchre, and take therefrom whatever relics of their former religion he wished to possess. The sanctuary was filled with their various gods – “the work of men’s hands” – some manufactured of wicker-work and feathers, others carved of wood, with numerous articles which had been made sacred, by being offered to them, in acts of gratitude, for success in fishing, hunting, and the other occupations of their simple life. ”

“ In the neighbourhood of this bay the island is in the highest state of fertility ; but the natives are in nearly the same state as they were when Captain Cook discovered them, in 1779. An American missionary had arrived there about six months before, whose instructions would no doubt advance them in civilization, as those of his brethren had the natives at Woahoo. The Blonde then returned to Woahoo, and Lord Byron took leave of he king, regent, and chiefs, and fulfilled the purpose of his visit to the islands, in the highest degree satisfactory to them, and beneficial to the country. ”