1875: writer, Anthony Trollope - “Levuka has been the white man’s capital in Fiji”; merchants and the missionaries compelled colonial control

 English writer, postal commissior, Anthony Trollop gives an English view of Fiji in 1875, after visiting Consul Hector Robinson, who quotes Cakobau as he explained his tactic in ceding to Britain..
October 1874: Trollope reported the British flag was hoisted, “with the usual formalities,” by Sir Hercules Robinson, in Fiji. Anthony Trollope, in The Tireless Traveler: [...]

1822: David Whippy, of European descent of Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, U.S.A., arrived in Fiji aboard a beche-de-mer ship in 1822,

Research and documentation done by Henry Simpson a Master Mariner residing in Auckland, New Zealand – these are his notes. “  I, Henry Simpson a Master Mariner and residing in Auckland but born in Fiji, a great grandson of the European, William Simpson of Poplar, London, England, Ship’s Carpenter, am recording a brief history and [...]

1849: How Captain Wallis made his fortune in Fiji

In 1849, Captain Wallis got a cargo worth nearly 6,000 pounds in about nine months. The articles of trade were similar to those used for the purchase of sandalwood, but reflected the changed conditions among the native people; muskets and ammunition were most desired, but whales’ teeth, iron tools, beads and ornaments had their place. [...]

1849:British warships visited Fiji and give Cakobau a cannon-fire demonstration

During the following year (1849) two British warships visited Fiji. H.M.S. Havannah (Captain Erskine) came in august, and when Cakobau was entertained on board at Levuka, Erskine treated him to a demonstration of the power and accuracy of the ship’s cannon. Later, Cakobau confided to Calvert: “This makes me tremble. Should I offend these people [...]

28th February, 1849, traders return to live at Levuka

The Levuka traders found the site of the new settlement at Nawaido unhealthy, and too far removed from visiting ships. they longed for the clear streams, cool breezes and safe harbour of Levuka. Lacking Cakobau’s protection, they were harried by hostile natives.
24th September, 1845: One of their cutters was seized when opposite Korrolevu Island, near [...]