The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-04-03
The Commerce OF shs Pacific.

From the Honolulu Poly nesisn n, Ootoosr III
IL may be OF intertst to the commercial world to
eursorlly glance at the Increase OF trade in this
quarter. A chain OF events has occurred, during
the past few years, which has attracted the aten.
ton OF the world to this quarter of the globes aad
the vast expanse OF the Pacific, few years since
Taversed only by wha'e-ships and an occasional
trader on the northwest coast will soon be whiea A.
Cd with the sails OF commerce. The western
shore OF the American continent, where, a few
years since, the solitude was uubroken save by the
crack OF the red mans rifle or the tramp OF the
adventurous tfapper, already resOuuds with the
nun OIL civil zation and the merry sounds of pro-
ducfive industry.
Ia the cham Of events which has SERVED IN
attract attention to this portion OF the globe the
hrst was the seizure OF these Islands by Lord
george Panlet, and the subsequent restoration by
Admita' Ihqmas; Up to that tlme-lsi3-the
trade OF the Islands was limited to one or two
shils which, sailed from Boston, and the trade
with the whaling fleet The Imports In 1919
amounted to 1928 ,3ej 81, upon which revenue of
Sl6e 81 was collected So rapidly did the trade
increase, that IN 1917 the imports amounted to
S7l0, 133 OF, and the revenue to SlSSOI 2J:
while Tor the current year, the amount OF both i'm.
ports aud revenue therefrOm will doubtless far ex-
ceed mat amount But 1t should be borne in mind,
tnaa this great increase OF importation is not the
o. the goods which have been imported. and p,id
duties here. eventually found their wav ont Of the
country The actual consumption has doubtless
increased, but not in proportion to the increase ri
imports; for large share of the goods, lndroen.
dent OF those shipped to Oregon and Califoraia
are for supplies for whae.shps. The export Of the
Islands 10 very limited. and the consumption must
consequently be limited. Seventy five vessels en-
gagged in trade arrived and sailed from the Islands
during 1917. Many Of them, il Is true, were sm all
schOoners, and made several trips during the wear.
The arrivals and departures will tar exceed that
number the currentyear. Since 1913, quite atrade
nas sprung up between these Islands and China
oregon, and California.
The second event which occurred to draw public
attention to the Pacific, was the establishment Of
Inc French Protectorate at Tahiti Although this
event mas not directly exerted any great influence
upon commerce,t BASIN political sense attracted
public attention to the Pacific; and will m the md
II tne Ilght measures be pursued by the govern.
men. there, exert wholesome Influence upon ca N.
me s ne consumption will be mere used by the
,ninh OF Ieigners, while the products will also
=. me settlement Of the Oregon boundary oue.-
noh ana the influx OF settlers, NAV be cIassed as
the thlrd event, winch has already exerted and
Is oesuned 10 exert, a still greater influence u,oo
Inc grown OF commerce IN the Pacific The .x-
ports Of Oregon few years since. consisted m ,in.
~ OF iurs, and her trade was limited to one or wo
vessels annually. We have no statistics nv wh;cS
oJudge OF the increase Of trade, but n nust ne
apparent that II has been great.-Lpm ,er, ,m,er.
flour and salmon, are now exported from Oregon
IN large quantities.. The occasional trader IL mi
one o. quite a fleet OF vessels which now annually
visit Columbia River. The natives OF the fores,
are iasa sinking away before the mighty tide of
Sv,'za,on winch Is pressing onward and their
hardy pioneer. Oregon is rich ia agricultural re-
sources, and the time IL not far distant whea her
" daik shores," will be crowded with stately
war s.ais nouses-her waters be whitened with the
comnis h her rivers plonghed by stately
81 s ;riss-snd her borders resound with the songs
VI IN Th ,noe pendent aud happy people
to.. ne occupation Of California bv the Ameucan
""S DC called the fourth link In the cham