Letter to Rowland Hassall, dated 16 October 1818

Item

Title
Letter to Rowland Hassall, dated 16 October 1818
Subject
Pacific Island literature
Missionaries
Category
1. Settlement
Author
Pomare II
Current holder
State Library of New South Wales
Date
October 16, 1818
Item number
DLADD 218
9O4ovNOn
954551
Place
Tahiti
Language 
Tahitian
Description from source
Contents Letter, from Pomare, King of Tahiti, dated Tahiti, 16 October 1818, to Rowland Hassall, thanking him for things sent and about the spread of the word of God in Tahiti. In Tahitian, with English translation. Accompanied by portrait engraved by or after Freeman, dated May 1821.
Transcription

Tahiti, 16th of October 1818

Ehoaino e,

Iaorana oe, e to fetii atoa i te ora raa ia Jesus Christ. Teiemai nei te letter na oe i papai hia i te 12 ia May ra ; teie atoa hoi te mau mea rii atoa ta oe i hapono maira, te maitai nei au ooe i papai mai i te parau iau nei, e te mau mea rii atoa neihoi.

Te haere nei au na Tahiti atoa nei i te faaitoito haere raa i te parau a te Atua, te haapii haere nei au ia ratou i te parau maitai. Te haaputu nei matou i te taoa no te faatupu haere raa i te parau a te Atua, no te faatono haere raa hoi i te mau missionary i te mau fenua toa, ta matou ia ohipa i teienei. Ia tae ia May ra e faatupuhiai te ture i Tahiti nei, ei ture no te fenua ; ei hio raa na te taata ei faatitiaifaro raa i te vahi pio, ia titiaifaro e maitai ai. Te ora nei au, iaora toa oe e to fetii atoa e maitai ai au.

Iaorana oe ia Jesus Christ

[Transcription by Josiane Di Giorgio]

Pomare

Tahiti, 16th of October 1818

Dear Friend/

Wish you every blessing, and also your family through Jesus Christ. I have received your letter which was wrote on thie 12 of May, and also the things you sent me. I feel much pleased that you wrote to me, and also for the things you sent.

I have commenced a journey round Tahiti to animate the people to attend to the word of God. I am teaching them the good word. We are collecting property towards the spread of the word of God, and for sending abroad the Missionary to all the alnds, that is our work at present. In May there will be law’s established here at Tahiti, to make straight the crooked parts, when straight it will be well. I am well, hope you and your family are well.

Wish you every blessing through Jesus Christ

Pomare