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[Page 494]

Manners & Customs of the South Sea Islands

that is till their Passion is subsided

Otahite at the time of Our being there was divided into two Kingdoms Oporeonoo the larger & Tiarrebo the smaller Each had its seperate King &c. &c. who were at Peace the king of Oporeonoo however Calld himself King of both in just the Same manner as most European Monarchs usurp the Title of King over Kingdoms over which they have not the Least influence

It is not to be expected that in a Goverment of this kind Justice can be strictly administerd we saw indeed no signs of Punishments during our stay Tupia however always insisted upon it that Theft was punishd with death & smaller crimes in proportion in cases of Adultery the offenders were in the power of the offended party who if he caught takes them in the fact frequently kills them both all punishments however were the business of the injurd party who if superior

 

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