POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
381 
paration of their code of laws^ and constitution of govern¬ 
ment, but were exceedingly anxious that it should be the 
production of the king and chiefs, and not of themselves. 
They had hitherto avoided interfering with the govern¬ 
ment and politics of the people, and had never given 
even their advice, excepting when solicited by the chiefs. 
When the conduct of petty chiefs or others had affected 
their own servants, or persons in their employment, if 
they have taken any steps, it has been as members of 
the community, and not as ministers of religion. 
After the introduction of Christianity, the chiefs were 
among the first to perceive that the sanguinary modes of 
punishment to which they had been accustomed were 
incompatible with the spirit and precepts of the gospel, 
and earnestly desired to substitute measures that should 
harmonize with the new order of things. The king ap¬ 
plied for assistance in this matter, soon after the general 
change that took place in 1815. The Missionaries advised 
him to call a general council of the chiefs, and consult 
with them on the plans most suitable to be adopted.— 
Whether his recollection of the unpfopitious termination 
of former councils influenced him, or whether he was 
unwilling to delegate any of that power to others with 
which heretofore he had been solely invested, is uncer¬ 
tain ; but he objected to the assembling of the chiefs at 
that time, still requesting advice and counsel from the 
Missionaries. This they readily afforded, both as to the 
general principles of the British constitution, the decla¬ 
rations of Scripture, and the practice of Christian nations. 
Their own sentiments in reference to their duty at this 
time, will best appear from the following extract of a 
public letter, bearing date July 2, 1817*— 
During many years of our residence in these islands. 
