The Reception of the Rev. J. Williams at Tanna in the South Seas, the day before he was Massacred

London: George Baxter, 1841. Rev. John Williams was an ill-fated missionary from the London Missionary Society, who traveled to Tanna (Rarotonga, New Hebrides) on board the ship Camden. Baxter published a pair of companion prints memorializing his friend when he heard of his demise. The print represents the moment when the launch touches the shore at Tanna. Williams stands on the launch, his hand outstretched, hat in hand. Behind him sit other missionaries and sailors, offering colored trinkets to the natives. A native in Western clothes attempts to draw the native chief towards Williams, but the large group of natives looks skeptical at best - the next day they murdered him. Beautiful twin peaks, one an active volcano, are in the background, along with the ship Camden to the right of the print. A large size Baxter print, in beautiful color, not mounted on a Baxter mount. 32 x 21.2 cm. This print was issued unsigned by Baxter in the plate. Courtney Lewis 82a.