92 
AN ACCOUNT OF 
fo frequently been mentioned in the foregoing narrative, 
where the King firfl hated the bulinefs upon which he had 
aifembled them, and fubmitted it to their conlideration ; 
each Rupack prefent delivered his opinion, but without 
riling from his feat: when the matter before them was fet¬ 
tled, the King, handing up, put an end to the council.— 
After which they often entered into familiar converfation, 
and fometimes chatted together for an hour after their bud- 
nefs was difpatched. 
When any mehage was brought to the King, whether in 
council or elfewhere, if it came by one of the common 
people, it was delivered at feme dihance, in a low voice, to 
one of the inferior Rupacks ; who, bending in an humble 
manner, at the King’s fide, delivered the mehage in a low 
tone of voice, with his face turned alide.—His commands 
appeared to be abfolute; though he adfed in no important 
bulinefs without the advice of his Chiefs. In council there 
was a particular hone on which the King fat; the other 
Rupacks did not always take the fame place, feating them- 
felves fometimes on his right-hand and fometimes on his 
left. 
Every day in the afternoon the King, whether he was at 
Pelew, or with the Engli/h at Oroolong, went to lit in 
public, for the purpofe of hearing any requelts, or of ad- 
jufting any difference or difpute which might have arifen 
among his fubjedts. 
As 
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