POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
531 
His policy as a ruler was deliberative and cautious^ 
rather than prompt and decisive, and most of his mea¬ 
sures were pursued more with a view to their ulterior 
influence upon the people, than to their immediate effect. 
His views were in many respects contracted, and he was 
easily imposed upon by bold and heedless advisers. He 
was more rapacious than tyrannical, but probably would 
not have been so rigid in his exactions, but for the 
influence of those constantly round him, who often availed 
themselves of his authority and influence to advance their 
own unjust and oppressive proceedings. Though desti¬ 
tute of many essentials in a great prince, the Tahitian 
ruler was universally respected and beloved by his own 
family, and by many of the chiefs, who were under great 
obligations to him, but I do not think he was beloved by 
the nation at large. It was rather a respectful fear than a 
fond attachment, that was generally entertained for him. 
He was exceedingly jealous of any interference with his 
prerogative or his interest, and was frequently attended 
by a number of the Paumotuans, or natives of the Palliser 
Islands, as a kind of body guard. These were considered 
as in some degree foreigners ; and their selection by the 
king, as the protectors of his person, caused dissatis¬ 
faction in the minds of several of the chiefs. 
Pomare was not only the first pupil whom the Mission¬ 
aries taught to read and write, but he was also the first 
convert to Christianity in the island of which he was 
king. He made a profession of belief in the true God, 
and the only Saviour, in 1812; and there is every reason 
to believe that, according to the knowledge he had of 
Christianity^ and the duties it enjoined, he was sincere. 
He bore the persecution and ridicule to which he was 
exposed, on this account, with firmness and temper, 
