The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1851-11-13
FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

MAKAwAo, July 30, 1851.
| To the Editor Of the National Era:
My DEAR SIR: | find that two sheets of
this letter paper will not weigh the halfounce
allowed to single letters. | shall pay the post
age, and mean to get the worth of my money
| to wit in qualification arising from telling you
some things about the Sandwich Islands
Whether you will obtain that amount of graft
fieation, it is not for me to say. In filling the
remainder of this sheet let me tell you some
thing of the dongs of the Hawaiian Legislature
at their last session, which has lately closed.
The lower House consisted of twenty-four
members Of these, seven were foreigners and
one half-breed. The remaining sixteen were
full-blooded natives. Two of the foreigners
have written to me on the subject of the native
members and they spoke of them all as having
lowe val ord soo,r rs thHn' z h"v"c-. ~i99-f'
admirably rhs tc:.= 2a..:=c ge,-s.S.. ~
from Mani know to be superior men, and they
are 50 regarded by All who know them. In an
address of the members of the lower House to
their constituents they say, ave have passed
upwards of thirty acts and resolutions" Some
of these | will specify, that you may see how
we are getting on.
/. An act was passed granting the fisheries,
heretofore owned exclusively by Government
to the people. Henceforth all men are emit
tied to fish on all grounds belonging to Govern
ment, and no portion of the fish taken on any
OF these grounds will hereafter, belong to the
aupuni, or Government. This act affords the
people much satisfaction, and will call forth
their gratitude, trust. They are relieved, also,
IN relation to fishing, another way. Formerly
| the honOlukis or headmen-who were. in fact.
| the greatest oppressors on the islands-used to
taboo several kinds of fish now they cannot
under penalty of one hundred dollars taboo
more than one kind Again: formerly, any
man who owned land by the seaside could
prohibit fishermen from taking fish opposite his
land, but they can do so no more The sea is
open to all who wish to cast in net.
2 An act has been passed, allowing the peo-
pie to take fire wood, house timber, cord thatch
for their houses, from the lands on which they
live, without the consent of the headmen. Judge
Lee, in behalf of his brethren of the lower
House, remarks on this act thus: "This is a
great point gained for the people; and the King
and chiefs in giving their assent to such meas
ure, so important to the Hawaians, deserve
our most profound gratitude"
3. An act has been passed for the appoint
ment Of agents in every district where there are
Government lands for sale, whose duty it shall
be to sell lands to the common people residing
in such districts, in lots of from one to fifty
acres, at minimum price of fifty cents pei
acre.
4. An act for the improvement of roads was
passed
5. For the improvement of prisons; employ
ment, discipline, and reform of criminals. Some
$4O,0 900 have been appropriated for the erection
of suitable jails on oil the islands.
6. An act was passed for the improvement
of schools, which it is fervently hoped will give
greater efficiency to the system of instruction
among us.
From the above you will see that the Ha.
waiian Government though feeble and poor
compared with most Governments has some
life. and even energy You will rejoice to see
that the old feudal system is being destroyed
that the chiefs have more enlightened views
than they once had; and that the people are
assuming the attitude of Christian freemen |
know it is easy to hold up this people to the
scorn of the rich and proud but in the great
matter right. Could the people be let alone
would other nations cease to interfere with
their affairs, and would wicked men cease to
| lay plots for the chiefs-there might even now,
be hope Of the permanency of this Government
But much fear that the Government will not
be let alone Even at this moment they are
not allowed to defend themselves from one of
the greatest foes Of national prosperity, viz :
intoxicating drinks. And France may pounce
any day upon us, and compel the Hawaiian
nation to ccde their country to the United
States, as the only means left them of avoiding
utter ruin. Then the temptations to sin are
tearfully multiplied upon us. Grog-shops and
beer-shOps, and circuses and theatres, all throw
open their doors and send out their odOrs TO
tempt the unwary. In short, no means are left
untried to ruin the chiefs and people am
ashamed to say that the King and the chiefs
are, of all Hawaians. the easiest prey to the
seductions of sin They are easily advised to a
course of sin. shame and ruin and, unless God
graciously interposes and saves them, they will
draw down the judgments Of a holy God upon
the nation. The people appear much better
than do their chiefs, and there is much more
hope in their case Let all who have taken an
interest in the Hawaiian nation look to God in
their behalf: beseech Him to remember them
in their low estate, and save them for His Sons
sake. Yours with respect,
j. S. GREEN
PS lam sorry to add that find my people
are much in debt They depended upon their
crop of potatoes, which is large and now ripe
to pay off these debts but there is no demand
for them. Some are off 10 the mountains Il
search for yeritable gold as some one ha,
started report of there being gold on Halea
bala If it shall prove that we are to be cursed
in this article will give you suitable notice.
have no belief in the existence Of gold in oul
mountains. Yours, j. S. G.
| LETTER FROM SANTA FE
| SANTA FE Sepfeuuler l. 1851