CHARACTER OF POMARK. 2 55 
of his measures were pursued more with a view to 
their ulterior influence, than to their immediate 
effect. His views were in many respects con¬ 
tracted, and he was easily imposed upon by 
bold and heedless advisers. He was more ra¬ 
pacious than tyrannical, and probably would 
not have been so rigid in his actions, but for the 
influence of those constantly around him, who often 
availed themselves of his authority and influence 
to advance their own unjust and oppressive pro¬ 
ceedings. Though destitute of many essentials in 
a great prince, the Tahitian ruler was universally 
respected. He was beloved by his own family, and 
by many of the chiefs, who were under great obliga¬ 
tions 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 in¬ 
terest, 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 per¬ 
son, caused dissatisfaction in the minds of several 
of the chiefs. 
Pomare was not only the first pupil whom the 
Missionaries 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 tern- 
