Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-03-14
From the Christian Spectator.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SANDWICH ISL
ANDS.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SANDWICH ISL
ANDS.
A clustre OF islands extending from lat
itude Is, 54 TO %, Is N. aud from iongi.
Jude 1919, SO TO 2O3, L. from London,7
discovered by Captain Cook in the year
i778, was called by this name in honor OF
the earl OF Sandwich, under whose adj
minislration he made the discovery. The
murder oi this enlerprising navigator, Gil
Owhy bee, The largest OF the groupe has
always given melancholy interest TO this
really insulated part Of the globe; and the
young heart has often beat with sorrow, as
amid the wide expanse oil waters the eye
met Oh the map the well known inscfip
lion, Cwhy hee, the spot where Captain
Cook was Killed. These Islands are
eleven 10 number, and with the exception
of two, are all inhabited. Owhyhee from
The most northern to the most southern ex
tfenily is 100 miles long and about 259
in circumference, and contains 10000
Inhabitants. The whole number in lht
islands is estimated at 1000. They
are divided into three classes, the Frees
or chiefs, those who appear to ENJOY a
I right OF property, without authority, and
Inc servants who have neither rank nor
property. Properly and titles are thought
Ito be hereditary, as is also the govern
ment. The king appears 10 be supreme,
but is assisted BY the principal chiefs,
some Ct whom he always keeps about his
person. He has also guard of about
| fifty soldiers at his residence Crimes are
not frequent, being prevented by the strict
execution Of justice, and the Influence Of
superstition. Tamaahmaah, king OF all
the islands, except two or three, has
made formal surrender of his sove-
reignty to the king oil Great Britain. He
lis represented as great warrior and poll
ltioian, and very acute trader. His
mode of life is very simple, though the
natives pay him the most profound re-
lspect. His attention has been much turn.
ed TO ship building, and he understands
the mode OF constructing ship. He has
a navy Of about thirty vessels, and copper
bottoms. He has purchased vessel OF
considerable size from the United States,
aud gives every encouragement to his own
people to engage in navigation. Foreign
sailors also receive liberal compensation.
The situation of the Sandwich Islands is
very favorable for commerce; as all the
vessels bound to the northwestern coast on
The fur trade, and also many OF those
bound to the coasts of Asia, stop here for
provisions, and to make repairs. The
natives supply them with The necessary
articles and 10 return receive European
manufactures. The present king, how
ever, has found that more profit is gained
by exchanging the products oil his islands
for silver dollars. Many ships which
have not completed their cargoes, return
to winter here. A few years since, the
King offered to supply the Russian settle
menls CD the coast OF America with pro-
visions, for which furs were to be re-
ceived 10 pay. These he designed 10
/ send to Canton, on his own account, and
it is said this speculation has actually Ia
ken place. Traders have been induced
by The advantages offered, to settle in this
region, and there is considerable num-
Der of resident whites on several Of the
islands. BY intercourse with these, and
with The crews OF the ships, the natives
have advanced 10 civilization with much
more rapidity than any other inhabitants
of Poly nesia, and will undoubtedly take
the lead 10 power and refinement. They
have made some progress in the mechanic
arts, and many OF the natives are car.
penters, blacksmiths, coopers and tailors.
Their lands are well cultivated, and the
soil productive. Indian corn has been 10.
troduced into the Islands, aud horticulture
receives some attention. Taro however
is the great object of cultivation, and al.
fords the principal source of their food.
They possess the art of distilling spirits
from this root, and almost every chief has
This still. The bread fruit tree grows
here and produces an uncommon quantity
of fruit and the sugar cane, which also
they use for food, is unusually large.
The only quadrupeds found on these isl.
ands at their discovery, were hogs, dogs
aud rats. These were 10 great plenty.
and the flesh Of the two former wee high.
" esteemed. Horses, horned cattle. sheep,
goats and poultry are now not uncpmmon
here.
The Climate Is little different irfm that
q the islands OF the West Indies ia the
same latitude. The mountains Ire M.
merous, well covered with foreas. and
some of them very lofty. Mounaraa IN
Owhy hee, is 8 400 feet in height. and
may be seen great distance Il sea
They are usually covered with clouds.
aud produce frequent showers 10 he in
terror, while the seacoast is PLEASANT.