The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-28

because they were OF particular nation by birth but
had they been, thai TACT would give nation right to
demand similar exercise Of power, for thai would at
once degrade the Hawaiian Kingdom from lis rank
independent nstion guaranteed an ats nationality by
France England, and the United States Thirdly, the
French demand that all correspondence between them and
the Hawaiian government be carried in French, in
Stead OF English, as at present These demands beng
fesoutey resisted by the government, and persisted IN
by the French, affairs have become very threatening at
Honolulu The French had sent in their ultmatum,
and given until the twentieth OF March for the govern
ment 10 accede or refuse Much excitement in conse
quence prevailed at the latest dates The Kings palace
was closely guarded governmental papers and funds re-
moved 70 place OF safety and other steps precautionary
pushed further longer persisted in must prove det
rimena not only to the business and prosperity OF the
Islands, but especially to We. therefore,
once more call upon our own government 10 interfere
Let II redeem its pledge for the Independence of kameha
neha We object in toto TO another enactment Of the
looks very much like such disposition. II the Ha-
walan government is 10 be left free other than the
American nation possess II. Our government should
have had fleet there long ago.
/ Correspondence 0 Alta California;
! HoNoLULU. March H. 1851.
II ever there storm puddle, il is now to be
seen in this kingdom of Liliput The palace is garri
ssy King nSS + lonely
should be Kidnapped by night and loaded with chains
board the French corvette The troops are being review
ed, and every possible demonstration OF vigorous de-
fence is being made. The books carried away from
the government Offices the other day. and the public
moneys to be deposited place Of safety and the natives
say have no better authority that the markeplace Is
be cleared OF every eatable during the forenoon Of each
day lest the French sailors and marines should be tempted
to lunch upon the caabashes OF po Bad policy that TO
my mind; for should the invaders be guilty OF such
piece OF rashness, every OF them would become nef
cien. for eight and forty hours at least or at all events,
in state which faint hearedness is said sometimes 10
produce But stone is left unurned in the endeavor
TO create excitement and to foster the expectation Of
immediate attack And all this, be il observed In The
face OF the French ultimatum expiring until the soh
| ina yyhi mai al ID
still greater importance, the minister's are as sails AZ -
sanctuary.
The dispute arose originally 10 this way treaty TRIP
ate was negotiated between France, England, sA ~
Hawaiian klngdem; guaantyng the Independence % ne
latter, and, among minor PROVISIONS siipusing tina, tss
duties levied upon goods imported in French and British
vessels should not be subject to duty OF more than i've
per cent ad yalorem, but excepting wines and other
spurious liquors. the duty upon which was to be optional
with the Hawaiian government, provided that II should
not amount 10 an absolute prohibition. The government,
in consequence levied duty OF 10 per gallon, and IN
Guided British ales and elders In the category The
British consul demonstrated urging that beer and cider
never were, and could be, CHASED with spruous
liquors. seeing that the former were brewed and the lat
ter distilled The Minister for Foreign Affairs replied
with article from Encyclopedia. giving the compare
tive strength Of every liquor that had ever passed down
the throat Of man, from lemonade to alcohol The con
sui declined entering into scientific discussions but sent
the correspondence to Lord Pamerston, who immedi-
aely decided that "heas not lobsters; that there
doubt but that beer and cider were neither wines
sprtuous liquors. that the excessive duties must be
the treaty exacted in future The Hawaiian government
complied without demur Then step in the French, who
argue thus Wines and brandies are the natural produce
Of the French SOIL beer and cider of the British
have right TO be treated the footing OF the most
favored nation ergo our wines and brandles are over
taxed Moreover, the duiy-$5 gallon-amouns to a
prohibitions which is plain infraction OF the treaty.
In my humble opinion, the French have the worst OF
il on the argument 1t was mistake on their part to
allow the word wines TO stand In the treaty, without
the addition OF beer and cider the produce OF British soil
but having committed the oversight they are bound TO
respect their agreement which is as plain as words
can make it. Neither can it be said that duty of IS
amounts 10 San absolute prohibition" The proof to the
contrary is the Quantity that is consumed. Moreover,
there is precedent for such amount being not con-
sdered prohibition; for when England levied ATS.
gallon upon French brandy she did 90 under the idea
perhaps mistaken onehat il would increase the reve
ton, with prohbitory duty would be absurd. "This
may be all very fine, says Crapeau, IN answer "but
John Bull sends his produce. and we will send ours
coute qui eotas" #aE
Another demand Of the French u.s. that the French and
American missionaries should be placed upon par with
regard TO the moneys devoted BY government to the sup
port of the respective creeds. have not been able to
learn the details Of this question with sufficient accuracy
10 warrant Offering private opinion but certainly
looks hard upon the face OF IT. that an Independent ma
lion should not be allowed the distribution OF Ills own tax
But The main demand Of the French is this that they
should be represented in the cabinet "Ihe Americans
are represented" say they the British represented
| and we will be too" at is from the want Of repre-
sena,ion that these difficulties have accried they have
already endured too long, and we are tired OF them
And in this ! must confess think they are perfectly
right Fair play Jewell and il certainly has not been
allow ed them yet They demand to be placed on foot
ing OF perfect equality with other nations; they ask no
more, and will accept not one jot or one title less
White men rule the country; for the King Is puppet,
who literally daes say his soul is his own, feeling
TO the full the rksomeness of the yoke yet not daring TO
shake of White rule, each fa~orng the cause Of
his own particular nation, and must have our own
share OF power.
| There is yet another demand, of less consequence
believe than the res,hat all correspondence between
the French and Hawaiian governments should be carried
on in the French language. Correspondence between
the Hawaiian and the British American governments,
say they is carried on in the native language, but
in the English, which is a compliment to them at our
expense Now the fact is that English, strictly speak
ing is as much the language OF the country Hawaiian
having been declared by law the official language IN
consequence OF the ncapacy OF the Hawaiian to express
oica ideas Ii indeed the only language Quodd hoe
/ No one can tell yet how this will end but my own
strong impression IT, that the French will not proseed
fart actual aggression They have done once
already, and to try il second time, in the same quarrel
with puny Stale like this. would be ridiculous; and a
Frenchmsn is constiuionsy too sentative to ridcule
risk IL Possibly the port might be bockaded IN
OF the Hawaiian government not giving way; but
even that | do think likely. But the cabinet are
ing the most Of H. trying hard TO accumulate appear
OF injury and OPPRESSION counting the repuanon OF
manyrdom by every device they can imagine may be
but cannot help thinking that they trying to exa.
perate the French into landing AL all events, their
OF the affair ushes our believing that they
open and palpabe grievance the best thing
that could happen TO them Father this ~ their game
hch IL so, has been clevery managed enoughor else
they lie open TO the charge Of the greatest diplomatic in
capacity They have unnecessarily provoked an uti-
that of q