Slavery under the Maori Supremacu. 117 



estranged, and by whom it is probable tliey have long been 

 forgotten. 



The introduction of Christianity was immediately follow- 

 ed by the manumission of all slaves throughout the islands. 

 Under the old laws, the owner of a slave was undisputed 

 master of his person and property, and might put him to 

 death, or sell him, — in short, do with him as he pleased. 

 Everything that the slave possessed belonged to his master. 

 Slaves w^ere usually made in battle, either during the storming 

 of a fortified village, or jpali^ or during flight before a victori- 

 ous enemy. Each warrior might take as many j)risoners as 

 he could, who thereupon became his incontestable property. 

 Chiefs, however, and youths of rank were usually put to 

 death on the spot. 



The offspring of such prisoners of war were also slaves, 

 and equally the property of their masters. However, it fre- 

 c^uently happened that a young slave married a girl of the 

 tribe of his conqueror, in which case their offspring were no 

 longer considered as slaves, although they were reputed of 

 low rank. According to the old Maori laws, there were no 

 slaves other than those taken in war and their descendants. 



Among the free Maori, there are a number of varying 

 grades ; but the principles on which they are bestowed do not 

 seem as yet to have been accurately ascertained by any Euro- 

 pean observers. Any individual who is able to trace his de- 

 scent from distinguished parentage of either sex, has the right 

 to assume the title of a chief. As a rule, the elder branch of a 



