The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1841-10-23

each, nor were they separated from their
husbands. Sometimes two or more wo-
men made but one mat during their term.
Tie labors of the women generally were
as much or as little only as they chose to
perform. The labors of neither sex could
be called severe The prisoners were not
beaten, corporeal punishment being only
inflicted for theft. They were not COM
PEELED to labor when sick. They were
not as general thing abused or harshly
used. Simeon, whose case is alluded to
IN the history. was treated more severely
than most because, as they say, he would
not give attention; he uttered things of
qnarresome character, and did quarrel
and disturbed the court and it was almost
impossible to preserve order. Afterwards
he repented of this offence before certain
of the magistrates, on account of his hav-
ing acted so, No convict before or since
ever acted SO before the judges. When
he was sick he was strongly forbidden to
work, and he sat- still until he was recov-
cred and then he went to work."
None of the convicts died in prison, but
one who appears to he the same described
as Alodia in the French account died soon
after being released. She was sick, but
was not compelled to work. or even re-
qnired to. 1t cannot be ascertained that
any one was ever fined IS piastres (or
about $2O.) The men at one period
were required to make five fa,homs each
Of stone wall and the women three as sta
ted in the account, but were never denied
their food and drink as there stated.
In looking at the punishments inflicted
il must he borne in mind that the magis-
trates supposed that they were Furnishing
for political offences also that these sup
posed delinqucnts suffered the same pun
ishments as other culprts. We coutide
in the general accuracy Of the above state
ments. We have made considerable en-
quiry and had access to all the sources Of
information of which we knew. but as no
perfect records have been kept we are
doubtful whether it would be possible to
attain entire accuracy. Enough informa-
ton however has been obtained to con-
vince us that some of the statements Of
the French account are untrue. Some
founded in truth but so narrated as to
leave erroneous impressions, and some are
probably correct. We now pass from the
history of native suffering to other State
ments.
1t is stated that Gin July, 1885 there
were las of these sectaries Am. Proles-
tant missionaricS) scattered throughout
the islands," The true number was as
follows: % clcrgymen, 2 physicians, 2
printers, book binder, secular agent,
% males in all, and % married and 2 un-
married females, which latter we suppose
were not included in the l45!
The following statements perhaps de-
serve notice, because they have found Il
place in the page Of sober history, and are
designed to illustrate the practises of the
missionaries. As simple reports they
would be unworthy of notice for should
our time be spent in refutins every report
to our discredit we should be able 10 DO
but little else. The first extract is as fol-
lows: "The wife Of Methodist was
teaching some little girls to read, and took
good care to get her pay. In May, lo38,
when the children brought their tribute,