The Minnesotian. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1851-1852, 1851-10-22
Shall we take the Sandwich Islands:

The Boston Advertiser contains Il
communication from James r. Jarvis,
on the subject OF the annexation Of the
Sandwich Islands to this country. Mr..
J. has been for a number Of years a
resident Of Honolulu, where he pub
fishes a newspaper in English and Ha-
waiian. He says the offer is now made
to the citizens Of the republic as a free
gift Of the entire Sandwich group, on
such terms as Congress may themselves
enjoin. The islanders ask in return
simply to receive the rights and protec-
ton accorded to American Citizens
Mr. Jarvis says: The group in terri
ritorial extent is unimportant. its area
being about $500 square miles, but it
is capable Of supporting ten fold its
population, $50, 0OO.) 1t is the COM
mercial and military key to the north
Paci6c-the central point from which
to radiate all the channels of commerce
of that vast sea. Possessing fine har-
bors, a fertile soil, and salubrious
cline, nothing is required but a stable
government to make it the Cuba of the
Pacific. 1t already consumes yearly
about 81 100000 Of American mer-
chandise. Its American permanent
population is not far from one thousand,
possessing valuable sugar and cotton
plantations, in which, and other i'm
prOvements, large sums have been ex-
pended. A merchant Of Boston is the
proprietor of sugar plantation on the
island Of Kanai, the cost of which is
nearly 800, 900. The American Board
OF Missions have expended somewhere
near 81 100000 in their operations,
and have settled on the group fifty or
more families, possessing valuable
homesteads.
The floating American population
touching at these islands annually, is
not far from Is, 900 voya gers and sea-
men from some 400 vessels. In short.
American enterprise, both commercial
ndphilanthropic has invested the island
with its present political Importance,
bestowed upon the inhabitants laws, re-
ligion, civilization, and viii add to those
gifts, language; for the English tongue
is rapidly supprcssing the Hawaiian.
The inhabitants have thus moral claim
upon the American nation for protec-
ton. In no way can this be more eff
ticiently bestowed than byrcceiving them
into the family Of this great republic.
1t is true the native population are
melting away to the untoward causes
which have wasted away our Indians,
but in degree. Those that are left
are as well prepared to be American
citizens as the multitude Of European
emigrants. Unlike the generality of
them, they can read and write, and have
already acquired democratic ideas, I'M
der the operation Of their own liberal
constitutional form Of government, that
will readily enable them to incorporate
themselves under our government.
One fact is certain the native pop
ulation is destined to be supplanted in
numbers and power by a foreign race.
They desire us to be their successors
and protectors. Shall We or shall we
not be? 1t can now be done with the
consent and desire Of all interested.
1t requires no outlay Of money; the
present revenues of the islands are more
than adequate to the expenses Of their
government. Time, opportunity, the
inhabitants and ourselves, point to this
result. I believe if all the facts bear
ing on this question be presented to the
people OF the United States, favora-
BILE response to the desire of the Hawai-
ians will be the result.