FIRST PARLIAMENT. 
207 
was recognized by the nation as the successor to 
his father in the government of Tahiti and Moorea, 
the Tahitian code was revised and enlarged. At 
this time a most important law was introduced, 
which gave to the nation, for the first time, what 
might be termed a representative government, and 
rendered the Tahitian a limited, instead of an 
absolute monarchy. It was then decreed that 
members from every district should-meet annu¬ 
ally, for the purpose of enacting new laws, and 
amending those already in existence. The dura¬ 
tion of the session was to be regulated by the 
business to be transacted. The inhabitants of the 
districts were to select their representatives and 
fresh deputies, or members, every three years. It 
was at first enacted, that two should be sent from 
each district; but the same law authorized the 
body which might be thus convened, to increase 
the number to three or four from each, if it were 
found desirable. No regulation was to be regarded 
as a law, but such as had been approved or pro¬ 
posed by them, and had received the sanction of 
the king; and every regulation made by them, and 
approved by the king, was to be observed as the 
law of the land. 
The printed report of the session of what may 
be termed the Tahitian parliament, which assem¬ 
bled in May, 1826, contains an alteration of two 
laws, and four new regulations. The first.of these 
is sufficiently important to justify its translation, 
it is—^ 
Concerning Seamen who may leave their Vessels. 
1. The captain, or master of the vessel, who shall turn 
one of his crew on shore, without the consent of the gover¬ 
nor of the district, is criminal. He shall pay thirty 
