Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1843-06-21
The Sandwich Islands.

Several weeks ago we published an account,
10 the effect that Lord George Paulet, COM
msuder of The British man.of-war, Caryslort,
had taken formal possession OF the Sandwich
Islands, in the name Of the Queen of Eng land,
under the prelexi Of resenting an alleged in
sui, upon the English Consul. We regardihis
seizure of group Of defehceiess Islands, as
one OF the greatest national oulrages which
has been perpeiraled for many years, and are
glad TO see that The Press Of The country, gen
orally, look upon il as such. The only alleged
act of Improperly which the authorities of The
Sandwich Islands were guilty of, was The ar
rest and holding to bail for has good behavior Of
the British Consul, after that individual had
repeatedly violated their laws, and openly defed
restraint. This was considered by Lord George
Paulei a sufficient excuse 10 place himself in
hostile array against the islanders, and demand
their submission to the British Crown. They
being unable to resist his power, were CON-
pelled quietly 10 submit, to the yoke thus i'm
posed upon Them.
The relations which have for years existed
between ihese Islands and The United States,
make This fagrant violation OF their rights par
ticulary aggrsvating TO the people of this
country. We believe Commodore Jones, Of
the u. S. Navy, was the first person who ever
visited ihe Sandwich Islands in national
vessel, and took possession Of them in the
name Of his Government. This was while the
inhabitants were YET in rude and unciVlized
condition. Bul ihe benign policy of our Gov
ernment has always been TO extend liberty
throughout The world, and therefore instead of
claiming them subjects, which il might have
been done by The right of discovery or posses
sion, Congress soon recognized them as free
and independent nation. Our benevolent and
religious societies saw a new field opened here
for the extension of their labors and usefulness
They sent numerous missionaries 10 Them 10
preach the Gospel, and VIC are happy 10 say,
Ihst 30 uhere hare those heralds Of mercy been
moro successful in making converts to Christi
aHiiy. In commercial point of view, the
trade Of The United States with these Islands,
has exceeded that of all other countries COM
bined and they also served as a central
poini for The rendezvous Of our vessels, between
our ports on rhe Atlantic, and our possessions
On The Pacific.
These things were all well known TO the
English, and may possibly have acluaied them
IN their conduct. But whether this or some
thing else was their secret motive for the out
rage which has been committed, il becomes
eur government &C; with promptness and en-
ergy in the matter. A great and powerful ma
,ion, bent on conquest, has undertaken to op-
press a weak and unresisting government,
without any just cause or preiexl for The act !;
and il becomes the United States, and every
other mercantile power, TO see that justice is
done TO the oppressed. The ambitious and
grasping policy Of England must be checked
The interests, as well as The honor and digni-
y of the nations of The globe require il. We
hope therefore, that our Federal officers, in
stead Of continuing their political pitgTimages,
viii reufe and attend 10 their duties at WASH
ton--see thai justice and equity is done be-
tween nations, and that the rights of our cili-
zens are nol lost or compromised