The form of government of the Pelew islands is mo narchical ; but almost every island sNems to have a distinct sovereign, whose authority is absolute. Abba Thulle, when Captain Wilson was driven on these islands, was king of Coorooraa ; a monarch of the most mild and amia ble dispositions, and whose humane and hospitable beha viour to our countrymen in distress, has rendered his name dear to every Briton. His nobles were denominated Ru packs ; and he had instituted a singular species of knight hood, the members of which were termed knights of the bone, and were distinguished by wearing the figure of a bone on the arm. So highly did he value the superior knowledge and refinement by which he saw the English characterized, and so much confidence did lie repose in Captain Wilson, that, on the departure of that commander, lie permitted his son, prince Lee Boo, to accompany him. This young man was possessed of every amiable quality; his mental endowments were rather of a superior kind ; and he exhibited an extremely ardent desire to acquire knowledge. On his arrival in England, he was put to an academy at Rotherhithe, where his talents and application, as well as the gentleness and simplicity of his manners, soon procured him the love and esteem both of his school fellows and his teachers. His progress was extremely rapid ; and he was delighting himself with the prospect of transferring to his native islands the knowledge which he was thus acquiring. But this pleasing prospect lie was doomed never to realize. In a few months after his arri val he was seized with the small-pox ; medical aid was found to he unavailing; and on the 27th of December, 1784, this hopeful youth breathed his last in the house of Cap tain Wilson, in the twentieth year of his age. He was
buried in Rotherhithe church-yard ; and the East India Company caused a monument, with a suitable inscription, to be erected to his memory. The East India Company, sensible what obligations they yet lay under to Abba Thuile, sent in 1791, two vessels to the Pelew islands, un der the command of Captain M'Clure, containing presents of various kinds ; cattle, goats, pigs, geese, ducks, &c. with seeds of almost every description, hardware, swords, arms, ammunition. Abba Thulle, though deeply affected at the intelligence of the premature death of his son, yet bore it with wonderful fortitude and resignation. He him self died in 1793, and was succeeded by his brother. The Pelew islands have repeatedly been visited since this period. Several Europeans now reside on them. The munificent gift of the East India Company (who have since sent pre sents of a similar kind) has been attended with complete success. The live stock, with the exception of the sheep, which have entirely failed, have multiplied in an incredible degree. Two crops of rice and other grain are now an nually produced here ; and a small commercial connexion has been established by the English between China and the Pclew islands.
See Lettres EdIfiantes et Curieuses, Paris, l2mo. vols. xv. and xviii. 1Iistoire General des Voyages, vol. xv. 4to. Keate's ?Iccount of the Pelew Islands. Narrative of the Shipwreck of Captain 1-17lson,Flfc. one volume 12mo. (•. N.)