The Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu (Oahu), Hawaii) 1840-1841, 1841-04-17

cording to Mr.. Wilmington, wide his
Falklands,) the former power has taken
possession of Maldonado, which they are
colonizing under the title O! Phillpvillc.
the Monte Vidco. SOP cmigrants having
already sailed. With such watchiul and
perseycring rivals, so kcenIy on the alert.
it well becomes Britain to display at least
equal forcthought and energy. Does she
do so' We fear il Where are her ma
val stations, to guard her infinitely great
or interests in the Pacific One is in the
neutral waters of the Brazis, second at
the more distant and limited command at
the Cape of Good Hope, while the third
(Which embraces the entire of Australia. J
is in the Indian Ocean Ask any naval
man, thoroughly conversant with the sub
]ect, If this is as it ought to be. The
Falklands possess every facility fox the
formation of splendid dock-yard. and,
pcrched as they are iii the centre of as
sailable points, ships or sQuadrons might
be more readily and c!!cctually DESPATCH
ed in any quarter. planks and ,mbcrs
in any quantities could be furnished from
Australia, whilst New Zealand could sup
ply her quota in flax and spars. \ sccu-
rlty and an impetus would be given to
southern affairs, and, with Il moderate
Port-charge, scarcely a ship would pass
or re-pass, the Pacific, without calling for
water and refreshments. The Falklands
possess an immediate facility of colonial
ton beyond any known and INDICATED
territory. The sovereignty Of the islands
IS the unquestoned right of Britain there
are no aboriginal natives to interfere with.
They abound with cattle, pigs. goats. rab-
bits, horses &c. Fuel and building ma
terials are superintendent. Potatoes, car
rots, turnips, onions, wild celery, parsley,
&C., are raised abundantly, and there has
been no conclusive argument shown a.
gainst the production of grain. The
coast abound with fish of every variety,
from which source much wealth might be
made, by drying and exporting them to
the South American markets. Seals and
whales are also numerous, and the group.
which numbers about ninety islands, con-
tains many excellent and secure harbors.
1t is not our present aim to enter into
any description, historical or otherwise. of
these valuable islands. Those who wish
for information on such points may con-
suit MIR. Whittington's compation-thc
interesting narrative of Mr. Mackiunon--
or the admirable volumes of Captain Fitz-
roy, entitled s. Voyages of the Adventure
and Beagle" They will there find from
mass of evidence, Of what the Falklands
are capable, and Of what vital Importance
they may be made to the empire. Little
or nothing is generally known of the Falk-
lands-the little that is, is eyiI-and evil
that has had its origin in an,quated pre-
JUDGE, or imaginary bughears. To show
how unjust are the sweeping donuncia-
tons that have been Illuminated against
them, we cannot refrain from extracting
the following clear and unprcjudiccd
statements of Captain Ftzroy:
/" Wind is the principal evil at the
Falklands. The temperature may be
considered cquable it is never hot, nei-
Their is it ever very cold; but the average |
is low, and, in consequence of frequent
rain and wind, a really moderate degree
of cold is much more noticed than would
DvOhahlv he tho case If tho ,,,oo,L o, ,,,., !