The New York herald., 1851-11-04
The Sandwich Islands-Imp0rtant Rumor
What SAYS the Adminis ira ton:

The Sandwich Islands-ImportantR RumOr
What Says the Administratio
We have been informed upon high authority that
treaty, from his Majesty, Kamehamsha the Sc
cond, King of the Sandwich Islands, proposing the
annexation Of those islands to the United States,
has been transmitted to the government at Wash
ington, and is now among the files Of the State De-
partment.
Some two months ago we received information
to the effect, that in consequence OF the late
threatening attitude Of France towards the sove-
reignty of these islands, the question of placing
them under the supreme protection Of the United
States had been mooted, and that the people were
decidedly in favor of the scheme, which, we have no
doubt, is the fact. And if, before this, or subse-
quently, the King and his cabinet have made out
their protocol, and transmitted it to Washington,
and if the document is on file in the Department
Of State, it becomes important to know what Mr..
Webster thinks of it-what disposition he has made
or intends to make Of it, and what answer he has
given or intends to give to the overtures of
tion from his Majesty, King Kamehamsha, of the
Sandwich Islands
The commercial Importance of these islands can
hardly be over estimated. Invaluable as is the
island Of Cuba, from its maritime and commercial
position, its fine climate, prolific SOIL and rich pro-
ductions-invaluable as it would be to the United
States for the defence and command of the Gulf,
and as the commercial depot of our trade across the
Gulf its value looking TO the future is secondary in
importance to the Sandwich Islands. What are
they! group of eleven small islands, altogether
covering territorial area less than Massachusetts,
and one half of them occupied by volcanoes. They
owe their origin to volcanic action, aided by that
industrious little island builder, the coral insect
From their limited surface, they can never sustain
large population but their position is everything
Honolulu, the chief port, is the half way harbor of
the Pacific Ocean Scarcely a ship, national or
ommeIcial, passing to the northern whaling ground
or returning; or passing across to Asia from any
point Of the long extended coast of the Pac fc from
BheriDgs Straits down to Cape Horn; or passing be-
tween any Of the Atlantic ports Of North and South
America, and China-scarcely ship in all this vaa
amount of trade and navigation that does not stop
at Honolulu for fresh water and supplies. There
is scarcely sailor who has crossed the Pacific
Ocean that has not put in to this royal harbor of
King Kamehameha. The commercial statistics of
these islands, in proportion to population, abun.
dantly prove that in commercial view their value
is inestimable to the Pacific trade.
But if the value Of these islands to the commerce
Of the Pacific Ocean is now great, what mus. it
be ten years hence, when regular lines Of steamers
will be running from San Francisco and Panama,
across to China What may We not expect from |
that island continent Australia, should its gold |
mine; turn out as rich and extensive the first re-
ports indicate VIII she not require several lines
Of steamers to the ports of the Pacific, aad will
they not be there soon trade and travel shall
demand them They will. 1t is impossible, then,
to put too high estimate on the value of the
Sandwich Islands as a half way house of commerce
in times Of peace, and as a commanding military
station in the Pacific in times Of war. The sove-
reignty over them, if possessed by the United
States, would supply a very essential desideratum
to the commercial supremacy Of the Paciac-a
half way station for supplies Of fresh vegetables,
fresh water, fresh meats, fish, and the indispensable
article to steamers, ofa ready supply Of coal. In
fact 1t is difficult to contemplate the extension of our
Pacific commerce, disconnected with the sove-
reign occupation Of the Sandwich Islands.
This brings US in q round turn to the original |
proposition Has the government of King Kane |
hsmeha transmitted overtures to the government |
a, Washington for the lion of this cluster Of
beautiful islands to the United statesl Are not such
documents now on file in the State Department, |
ietNreu, numbered, ana endorsed, and poked away |
into some obscure pigeon hole, covered over with
dust and cobwebsl If they are there, will not Mr.
Webster submit them, through the President, to the
consideration Of Congress! Is he not in favor of
the annexation Of the royal islands Of King Kane
hameha 10 this great country, whose increasing
commerce 90 much requires such cluster Of slands
out in the middle Of the Pacifcl Is he not in favor
Of erecting the beacon lightef free institutions
In the midst Of the great seat II not, why nett
II the King has proposed, and tho people are
wiling, what imredimen. remains to the act Of |
mileage Of the delegates to
Tozgressl-or the fear Of foreign interference in /
American afarsy- or q supposi.ion that the const-
utioa wont work well 50 far away from Washington
We shall doubtless know tho truth upon this sub
ect, and get q great deal Of useful inform alton
1pon various other international subjects, shortly
after the meeting Of Congress
Are Treaties to DE Observed
ON the 18th Of April, ISL, a treaty was signed
between Great Britain and the United States which
ber. II |