The Polynesian., 1841-01-23

''Cio'y, NHiic tuc Ititily aCtS Oh DCnCNOIcnCC
which alleviate, of generosity which cheers,
and counsel that sooths, or builds anew the
shattered frame of man or state, the example
that operates almost inpcrccptibly -a!I these.
cmanating from the better feelings of man.
spread over the world like oil upon water,
50 noisc!essly, that we rarely detect them
but in their effects. But to return to our
former subject. The South Sea Islanders.
upon their discovery, were made the special
objects of the bcncvolcncc of the great Of
Europe. They had been represented in the
most glowing colors, and were looked upon
almost as children of Il new and iaircr crca-
ton. Unlike the Indians of America, their
lands were rcspcctcd-no mines OF gold
brought Il cruel and a,aricious conGucrcr to
their shores to cxtcrminatc, or the priest with
cross or !aggot, to prusclytc Gifts were
showcrcd down upon them: all strovc to inn
part to them the knowledge and resources
of civilization. Some of this was done with
more zeal than discretion The Duchess Of
Choiscul in 1869 " ordered il considerable
sum to be expended in seeds, implements of
husbandry and other articles for the improve
mcnt of the Island of Tahiti" Sec Bour-
gainvillc'S VOYAGE. The noble and disin-
'tcrcstcd conduct of Vancouver. in cndcav-
oring to paci!y the warlitc parties on these
islands, is familiar to all--also the expense
incurred in Introducing cattle, various fruits
and vegetables, and in short every thing
which could be useful to the natives, or cna-
bic them to support traffic with foreigners.
Instances of this nature might be indefinitely
multiplied. England was the most forward
in this active bcncvocncc, and by it she
is justly cntitlcd to the good will of the is
andcrs. When we look at them in their
ha!l-clad natives, filthy in their habits, and
with so little call for industry to support them,
that their lives were mostly spent in scnsu-
atty, the rites of bloody and dcbasng the
ology, or in a cruel and never ending war
fare. Their fruits, vegetables, and animals
were few in varicty-of the natural rcsour-
ccs of their soil, they knew nothing Months
were spent in manufacturing articles Of do
nestle use, which half IA days labor for the
whites would purchase Riches lay every
where around them, and yet they knew it
not. They were children in knowledge, but
adopts in all that was brutal and sensual.
The white man came" their eyes were
opened, and they saw their own nakcdncss :"
To him were they indebted for the COW,
horse, goat, mulc-in short for all those ap-
pcndagcs to civilization, without which the
most fertile country is but a wilderness. Ar
ticIcs of but little value to them were en-
changed for those which to savagcs are always
ncsti,nablc. Commerce gave a value to
the sandal wood, beach lc mcr, tortoise she'll.
and other things, which without it were as
worthless as the sands on the scn-shorc.
Commerce made it for their interest to cease
warning; if the stranger could not be pro-
tcctcd, their wants could not be supplied,
nor without labor and industry could they
collect the articles necessary for exchange.
Commerce clothes them, and gives them the
means of subsistence. 1t has taught them
the value of the gifts Of Providcncc-to en-
tract sugar from the cane, to rear the tender