290 AH ACCOUNT OF 
-“renouncing every advantage of power, they approached 
them only with the fmiles of benevolence. 
All the varied courtelies offered to the Englijh by the 
natives, from whom a very different line of conduct had 
been apprehended, operated forcibly on their minds; and 
their misfortune happening at a moment when their aflift- 
ance was very material for Abba Thulle’s fervice againft 
his enemies, this circumftance foon formed a connexion, 
and produced an unreferved intercourfe and fteady friend” 
fhip between the natives and our countrymen, which, dur¬ 
ing the thirteen weeks they remained there, afforded them 
opportunity of obferving the manners and difpofitions of the 
inhabitants, and thereby to form fome notion of their go¬ 
vernment and cuftoms.—If they were not enabled to trace 
the current of power through all its various channels, their 
obfervations could purfue it to the fountain-head, from 
whence the whole feemed to take its rife; and it appeared 
beyond a doubt that the chief authority was lodged in the 
perfon of 
ABBA THULLE, THE KING. 
At Pelew the King was the firft perfon in the govern¬ 
ment. He appeared to be confidered as the father of his 
people; and, though divefted of all external decorations of 
royalty, 
