136 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES, 
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 
unpropitious termination of former councils in¬ 
fluenced him, or whether he was unwilling to dele¬ 
gate any of that power to others, with which here¬ 
tofore he had been solely invested, is uncertain ; 
but he objected to the assembling of the chiefs 
at that time, still requesting advice from the Mis¬ 
sionaries. This they readily afforded, both as to 
the general principles of the British constitution, 
the declarations 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, we most carefully avoided meddling with 
their civil and political affairs, except in a few 
instances, where we endeavoured to promote peace 
between contending parties. At present, how¬ 
ever, it appears almost impossible for us, in every 
respect, to follow the same line of conduct* We 
have told the king and chiefs, that, being strangers, 
and having come to their country as teachers of 
the word of the true God, and the way of salvation 
by Jesus Christ, we will have nothing further to 
do with their civil concerns, than to give them 
good advice; and with that view several letters 
have passed between us and the king. We have 
advised him to call a general meeting of all the 
principal chiefs, and, with their assistance and 
approbation, adopt such laws and regulations as 
would tend to the good of the community, and the 
stability of his government; and that in these 
