The Polynesian., 1840-09-05

an abolition of the power to enact any laws
by which a revenue can be secured. But
the Infringement of these national rights are
not the only evils which flow directly and in
directly from the Treaty. The legalization
Of the spirit trade, besides the usual attend
ants Of disorders, drunkenness, crime aud
other physical and moral evils which natural
" flow from it, tends to diminish even the
meagre pittance heretofore received as har-
Dor fees. 1t is well known that many ship
masters signed petitions to this government re-
questing the enactment Of prohbitory laws.
. The same reasons which induced them to
petition will induce them now those laws are
abrogated to stay away, unless compeledby
necessity to come III. which they vii! not be
for the ordinary supplies. They will seek
other places where their crews cannot get
spirits, if such are to be found. Ship mas
tiers have stated to us that such would be the
case. Of course the receipts Of harhor fees
must be diminished in proportion to the di-
intuition Of the number of vessels touching
for refreshments, sc.
> Could there be doubt, if other evidence
were wanting, (Which is by no means the fact
than that which the Treaty carries with it.
self, that the Sandwich Islands government
did not act freely or accordngto its own
wishes in yielding its assent Had the
Treaty granted reciprocal advantages TO the
respective parties without the power on the
nrt If ha &C - 7
lands to annul it by giving notice for rea-
sonable period of time previous, it would still
have borne evidence Of its Illegally, for
all treaties formed under the influence of
fear or constraint offered by either of the
contracting parties, to coerce the other,
when they are upon terms of peace and ami
ty, must be Illegal as it will be seen that it
would have encroached upon the prerogativc
of this government by abridging its power to
enact and execute laws the same as it now
does, the treaties with other States being the
same, butt Partially would not have been as
apparent as in the present case. We are told
by ga RESIDENT that the Treaty processes
to be one of peace and friendship We may
add that the king and his government have I'M
derstood it as comforting upon them the same
commercial advantages that are extended by
them to France, and with even this under
standing, they yielded to it most reluctant
and unwilling assent. Nothing, but strong
apprehensions Of future evil, would have in
duced them to legalize the spirit trade. The
king, (although it is said that he loves it HIM
self, which is too true y had the good sense to
perceive that the prosperity of his kingdom
demanded its prohibition, and probably no
law which has ever been enacted in his do
minions, has received his signature and APP
probation more cordially than this.
We feel assured that no commercial ad-
vantages which could have been offered
would have been sufficient to procure its alb
rogation. The effect of the law ,pas seen in
the consequent good order which generally
prevailed, and the effects of it's abrogaton is
nor seen in the disorder which is so promin-
ent in the streets of Honolulu. and all other
parts of the islands, where spirits have been
carried and retailed. But it is annulIed, and
we will leave the reader to form his own
judgement as to the means by which it was
accomplished.
Na have ca;d that tho Troo.,, ,,.. I