The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-15
The late outr.ge at enc sandvyieh I.land..

From AN intelligent correspondent in the Pacific
| not in any way connected with the Sandwich Island
| government or the missions there established,
have received the following statement of the
which led TO the disgraceful outrage of the French
frgae Poursuivante, at the instance of the French
consul, Dillon. The conduct of this functonary is
extraordinary that the most charitable nterpre-
taton of il would be found in the supposition that
| he is insane. We cannot believe that the French
government will sanction his unriglteous and op-
pressive acts, which will doubtless be represented
in their true character by DR.. Judd, prominent
member OF the Sandwich Island cabinet, who has
just arrived here, with two of the princes, on his
way TO France. And now, lest this crc unlstance
should seem TO point to him the author of the
nexed statement, we will say that it did not come
from hlln, nor has he it any part of it,
nor Is he aware that any thing of the kind is to be
published by
The treaties concluded between England, France
ana HAWAII, gunrantylng the independence OF that
interesting group Of islands, and recognising Ka-
meliaineha ILL., as the sovereign thereof stipulate
that no higher duty importations shall be i'm
posed IN the islands than five per cent. An excep-
ton Is made OF wines and spirituous liquors. upon
which the king can lay such duty as he pleases,
provided IT does not cause total prohibition. The
government OF Hawaii very DESTROYS to pro-
hbt the introduction of all intoxicating drinks,
because the native inhabitants them too freely,
and die IN great numbers, diminishing visiby the
population of the islands; but France and England
objected to their total prohibition, and the weak
were forced to succuinb to the strong.
The King of Hawaii, anxious to save his native
subjects from certain and premature death, levied
high duty wines, spirituous and malt liquors.
The last not being expected iii the treaties, the
sui general of Great Britain protested and, after
short correspondence, the question submitted
to the English government, who decided that the
position assumed by the government of Hawaii
untenable, because malt liquors were not excepted
by the treaty.
The French consul, animated by the termination
of this question in favor Of the English consul gen
eral, demanded that French wines should be inn
ported under the five per cent. duty, and that all
duties exceeding five per cent, that had been col
lected since 1916, should be returned to him. upon
the ground that these wines contained less alcohol
than English porter In vain did the minister call
his attention to the fact that wines expressly
excepted from the low duty by the treaty he per-
sisted in his demand.
The government Of Hawaii, by voluntary con
cession, permits whaeshps Of all nations to sell in
its ports foreign products except wines and spritu
Gus liquors, to the amount of $500, without being
subject to the payment of port charges. This is
simply municipal regulation, in which no foreign
power has the right TO Interfere Notwithstanding,
the French CONSUL under the false prctext that the
French whalers could not take to the islands any
thing but wines and brandies for sale, demanded
that the law should be altered, making cxcep-
ton in favor of the French flag In view of this
| strange demand it would be supposed that France
produced nothing but grapes so that in the Sand
witch Islands, woollens, silks, cotton, perfumery,
&c, &c, all OF which are manufactured in France
to great extent, did not meet with market
Even grapes the only product of France, it
would not be the fault of the government of Hawaii
but misfortune to the French, whose wines and
liquors, we'll those of all nations, will be
prohibited at the Sandwich Islands, so soon that
government is justified in adopting the measure.
One half of the revenue of Hawaii is expended
upon free schools, with view raise the native
inhabitants from the state OF degradation in which,
to certain extent, they still remain. This also is
a municipal act, in which no foreign power has the
right to interfere. The French consul, under the
pretext that larger amount was expended on Pro-
testant than Catholic schools, demanded that
the expenditure should be equalized He was told
that there were many more Protestant schools and
scholars than Catholic, and furthermore that this
was question of which he could take no cogni-
sance; that the government had perfect right to
expend the of the country in the way they
might think most beneficial TO its interests.
A Hawaiian law requires that before any vessel
leaves port her accounts must be settled with the
tom house and license procured, under penalty Of
$500. A French ship left port without any of
these formalties and in defiance of Hawaiian laws.
be collected on the return of the ship He called
the minister of foreign relations, and asked, as a
concession, that the fine should be RENTED. He
answered that the law could not be entirely laid
aside, but that in order to give palpable proof of
the strong desire of the Hawaiian government TO
favor French interests as far in his power,
the fine should be reduced to $25. He appeared
satisfied and grateful for this ma rk of benevoence
but the return of the ship protested against the
collection of this paltry fine.-Jor Commerce.