POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
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native of Raiatea; he was born in the district of Pare; 
and at the time of his deaths which took place on the 
3d of September, 1803, was between fifty and sixty years 
of age. 
In the circumstances attending the formation of his 
character, and in the commencement, progress, and result 
of his public career, there was a striking resemblance 
between Pomare, the first king of that name in Tahiti, 
and his contemporary, Tamehameha, the first king of the 
Sandwich Islands. Both rose from a comparatively 
humble station in society, to the supreme authority; 
both owed their elevation principally to their own energies, 
and the aid they derived from their intercourse with 
foreigners; both appeared the main pillars of the 
idolatry of their respective countries; and both left to 
their heirs the undisputed government of the islands they 
had conquered. Each appeared to have possessed natural 
endowments of a high order, and both were probably 
influenced by ambition. Pomare was distinguished by 
laborious and patient perseverance; Tamehameha, by 
bold and daring enterprise. The characters of their 
immediate descendants were in some respects similar 
to each other, though both were very different persons 
from their respective predecessors. 
Otu the king was at Atehuru at the time of his father’s 
death. He sent several messengers to Pare, commanding 
the body to be brought to him; but to this the raatiras, 
or resident chiefs, objected. When the Missionaries 
paid a visit of condolence, Idia requested them to tell 
her son it was her wish that the body should remain at 
Pare ; and to this the king consented. 
The death of Pomare did not alter the political state 
of Tahiti; its only influence on the people was such as 
