New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-06-28
The Sandwich Islands.

The Sandwich Islands
We are informed that an Agent of the
Government of the Sandwich Islands is now
at Washington, with full power to nego-
tate important changes in the relations be-
tween the Islands and the United States.
He is the bearer of two prOpOsitlOns-One
for the establishment of an American Pro-
tectorate over the Islands, their Govern
ment and internal organization remaining
the SAME as now the other, for the abdl-
cation Of the King, the complete resgna
ton of the authority into the hands of the
people under suitable Republican forms,
and the definite annexation Of the Islands
to this Republic. These propositions are
submitted to our Government for its choice
and acceptance, with an earnest request
from the King and all his Ministers, that
one or the other of them may be promptly
embraced and acted upon. This step, we
have reason to believe, has not been taken
without deliberation and perfect conviction
that it is both necessary and timely.
To take the islands under the protection
of the United States would be of little, if any
advantage to either Of the two parties. Our
protection could hardly be rendered effica-
cious in a country where our right to exer-
else it might be denied, while it might en-
tangle us in unpleasant difficulties with other
nations.
In our view the only question to be enter
tanned is that of Annexation. As a territory
of the United States the Islands would be
o~omPt from foreign interference, and the
authority of our flag and the force of our
laws would not be disputed. To the inhabl-
tants and future settlers Annexation would
be blessing. 1T would ensure tranquility,
order, and a more active development Of the
rich natural resources of the country" OF
its present white population by far the
greater and predominantly influential part
are Americans, who long once more to live
under the stars and stripes. Its civilization
and its commerce are American; its laws
and government are already, to a great eX
tent, modelled upon ours.
To our whale fisheries and commerce IN
the Pacific these Islands are already point
of the highest importance. Even before the
settlement of California, nearly three-quar-
tiers of the shipping stopping there was
American, ard since then the number of our
vessels trading thither has greatly IN
creased, ext lusive Of the whalers putting IN
incidentally. And as the trade of the Pa
cifc is developed, the value of the Islands
will increase, not only TO ourselves, but to
other nations
We see then, no reason conclusively to for
bid the acceptance of the second proposition,
provided suitable terms can be arranged, and
it be established that Slavery shall never ex-
list there, point on which, as now informed,
we should have no fear That our political
system has sufficient vitality and truth to ad-
nit of its application to country 50 Distant is
our firm belief. And II appears evident that
the Islands cannot long remain an independ-
EFT State and could never attain that hight of
prosperity which is possible for them, ex-
cept as a member of the American CoHfed-
Grafton. And while we shall ever oppose
all untimely movements for mere extension
of territory, especially if they are accom-
panied by violent and dishonOrable acts, we
cannot but think that the established import
ance of these Islands to our maritime and
commercial interests, the fact that their PeO-
pie are, to a considerable and steadily in
creasing extent Americans. and that their
constituted and legitimate authorities ask for
the change, should insure for their proposal
the most serious and friendly consideration
on the part of President Fillmore and his
advisers.