The Virginia Gazette

The genius and admirable discernment of the late Capt. Cook were conspicuous even in occurrences where no exercises of the imagination could be thought necessary: As for instance, when our people were at Otaheite in the south seas, they visited a mighty King named Tootahah, who seated in great state, rejected several presents of trinkets, as inferior to favours conferred on Queen Oberea: Upon which Capt. Cook presented him with a woman's yellow petticoat, and this delighted his Majesty.

During the stay of Capt. Cook at Otaheite, he made several efforts to investigate the mode which the natives practised to navigate their canoes, or vessels; and he learnt, that in the day they steered by the sun, and by the stars at night; and that they had not only a name for each luminary, but perfectly knew in what part of the Heavens they would appear during the months of their visibility in the horizon. This great navigator, by an intense labour of mind, made several other investigations of a most curious as well as important nature, and which reflect the greatest honour on his memory.