POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
533 
weakness in allowing the unfounded representations of a 
transient visiter to induce him to request that the manu¬ 
facture of sugar might not be extensively carried on under 
the management of Mr. Gyles. He was also, as might 
have been expected from the circumstance of his having 
been the high-priest of the nation under the system 
of false religion, and having been identified with all 
the religious observances of the people, too fond of regu¬ 
lating matters purely connected with Christianity. 
A few years before his death he was induced, by the 
representations of designing and misinformed individuals, 
to engage in the most injudicious commercial specula¬ 
tions, in connexion with persons in New South Wales. 
This proved a great source of disquietude to his mind, 
and probably hastened his death. One or two vessels 
were purchased for him at a most extravagant price; and 
the produce of the island was required to pay for them, and 
expenses connected with their navigation. One of them 
was seized, a law-suit instituted in consequence at Port 
Jackson, the rahui or tabu laid upon the island, the rights 
of property were invaded, and no native was allowed to 
dispose of any other article of produce, excepting to the 
agents of the king. He became the chief factor in the 
island, or rather the instrument of those who were asso¬ 
ciated with him in these commercial speculations, and 
who used his authority to deprive the people of the 
right to sell the produce of the soil, and the fruit of 
their own labour. The inhabitants were required to 
bring their pigs, oil, &c. and to receive in return what he 
chose to give them ; the individuals who urged upon him 
this policy considered all they could obtain by any means 
as fair emolument. The welfare of the nation, the natu¬ 
ral rights of the people, the establishment of commerce 
