42 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
expected that the long concealed elements of war 
would there explode, and plunge the nation in 
anarchy and bloodshed. At this critical period, 
his majesty’s ship Porpoise arrived in Matavai 
bay. The letter and presents Pomare received by 
this conveyance from the governor of New South 
Wales, and the attentions paid to him by the 
commander of the vessel, tended, in no small 
degree, to confirm Otu in his government, and to 
intimidate his enemies. 
The governors of the colony of New South 
Wales have uniformly manifested the most friendly 
concern for the safety of the Missionaries, and the 
success of the several Missions in the South Seas. 
On the present occasion, Governor King, in a 
letter to Pomare, remarked, that he could “ not 
too strongly recommend to his kind protection, the 
society of Missionaries whom he had taken under 
his care;” and that, “ such protection could not 
fail to excite the gratitude of the Missionaries, and 
the friendship of King George.” Governor Mac¬ 
quarie, his successor, manifested the same kind¬ 
ness towards the Missionaries, and an equal regard 
for the welfare and security of the natives. In 
order to protect the inhabitants of New Zealand 
and the South Sea Islands from the oppression, 
violence, and murder, of unprincipled and lawless 
Europeans, he issued, in December, 1813, an 
Order, alike creditable to the enlightened policy of 
his administration, and the benevolence of his 
heart. A copy was brought to the Society Islands, 
and is here inserted. 
Government and General Orders , dated 
December 1, 1813. 
“ No ship or vessel shall clear out from any of the 
ports within this territory, (New South Wales,) for New 
