The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-26
Affairs of the Hawaiian Kinrdon.


present instance the struggle is likely to be Short
and the triumph decisive.
Affairs Of the Hawaiian Kingdom.
Mr.. Jarves, long resident on the Sandwich
Islands, and familiar with ali matters pertaining to
the government, gives the following information to
the public -
Having noticed in the late papers paragraph to
the effect that the administration at Washington
had determined to interfere to prevent further ag
gressions on the part of the French ut the Sand
witch Islands, / am induced, with your permission.
to lay before your readers few facts showing thu
United and the Of the 10.
habitants to become citizens of his republic.
Their policy, up to recent date, has been to
remain neutral and independent, believing that the
great powers would permit them to remain SO, ra-
Their than to become the integral portion of any one
of them. The course pursued by Ffanoe towards
them, for the past two years, demonstrates the
frstSssness of this hope. 1t is unnecessary for mo
to recaptulate the details Of the visit of the French
naval force in l8i9 which resulted in the unressted
dismantlpg Of the forts, the destruction of public
and private property, the seizure OF the Kings
yacht, and other acts of similar character. The
causes alleged by the French justifying these ag-
gressiODs were, that the Hawaiian government had
placed too high duty on foreign brandies (5s. per
gallon) had not punished certain boys for insult
ing French priest, by mimickng him; that the
sailors of British man-ofwar had, in drunken
froc, broken the glasses Of French dram seller,
to the value of sos (the sum claimed by the publ
can was actually paid him by the officers Of the
ship in question:; and that a French whale ship,
for violating law of the port, had been fined $65.
Such were the pretexts on which were grounded de-
mands for reparation, which, if admitted, virtu-
ally deprived the King of the sovereignty of the
group.
M Perrin Commissioner from France, arrived
at Honolulu in December last, in the frigate So
reuse, was instruc ted to press these dem ands to
conclusion with all the force at his command. Per-
ceiving the nutilty of concessions that the French
would be satisfied with nothing short of the virtual
sovereignty Of the group, the king and chiefs now
decided upon Noncompliance, and to await the
may fully understand the Importance of French in
terests in the Hawaiian kingdom, will state that at
this time, with the exception of the Catholic Mis-
sionaies, forced upon the islanders at the point Of
the bayonet, there are not dozen Frenchmcn in
the group, and of them not an individual of any
position. The only French com merce is an indirect
one of trhing amount, from Valparaiso, and the
visits Of a dozen whaleships OF so annually
The French authorities On this visit were disap-
pointed in the results. The native population, in
dependent of their chiefs, exasperated by series Of
injuries, and pertinscousy persisted in, had deter
mined to resist the landing of the French forces.
The numerous American and English residents, to
q man sympathised fully with them but without
their assistance the Hawaans would have found
no difficulty in driving the French back to their
boats. But this would have subjected the town Of
Honolulu to bombardment, and en.aied, upon
Americans in particular, heavy loss in property.
Fortunately, the United States ship Vandalis was
poIt, was prepared 10 resist act involving
injury to American citizens. The French authori-
ties de srcus of avoiding collision with the me-
rcan naval force, at last consented to patch up q
provisional treaty, referring to the home govern
is, however, merely to give them time to mature
their plans, and prepare force which shall, with
out fail, secure the submission of the King. Know
ing this, he, his chiefs and people, have minated
as we hear, to this government, their desire to be
admitted to the Federal Union re,erving for them
selves nothing further than security in their oivi
rights.
If this be corect-and | do not doubt 1.-THE
offer is now made to the citizens of this republic as
a free gift Of the entire Sandwich group, on such
terms as Congress may themselves impose. The
islanders ask in return, simply to receive tho rights
and protection accorded to American citizens. IL
this government does not avail itself Of tho oppor-
nnty thus presented, they may never again have
similar offer. The group, In territorial extent, IS
inimportan, its area being but $500 square miles.
population tsO,CO0) 1t is tie commercial and
military key to the North Pacific the central point
rom which radiate all the channels Of comm sroe OF
hat vast sea possessing fine harbors n fertile soil
md salubrious climate, nothing is required but q
table government to make it the Cuba Of the
Pacific. IL already consumes annually nearly
81 ,OOO,OOO OF American merchandise. Its Ameri-
AN permanent population is not far from 900,
valuable sugar and coffee plantations,
n ieh and other permanent i'm prove ments, large
'ums have been expended. A merchant Of thus
'iiy Is the proprietor Of sugar plantation on the
~.
ID somewhere near 81, 505,00O in their operations.
Ind have settled on the group City or more IA es
possessing valuable homesteads. The floating
American population touching at these islands an
,uay, is not far from $1,000, aud voyagers,
rom some 100 vessels. In short, American enter
'rise, both commercial and philanthropic, have in
'ested the group with its present political import
Dce-bestowed Upon the inhabitants Ia VS., roligion
civilization, and will soon add TO those gifts, Lam
5unge-for the English tongue Ia rapi lily suppressed
NJ the Hawaiian. The islanders have thus a moral
10 way can this be more efficiently bestowed, than
" receiving them into the ia mily Of this great re-
'ubhc. IL Is true the native population Is melt
ng away by the same untoward causes shich have
Wasted away our Indians, but in a slower degree.
hose that re main are well prepared to be Amen-
an citizens as tho multitude OF European emigrsnts
mike the generality Of them, they can read and
rite, and have already acquired dem ocrstio ideas,
nder the operation Of their liberal cons itu-
.on OF government, which will readily enable them
o incorporate themselves under our institutions.
inc TACT rs certain-the native population Is destined
D be supplinted in numbers and power By aforeigu
ace. They desire VA to be their Successors and
Protectors. Shall we shall we not BET Ia can
ow be done, with the consent and urgent deere Of
u interested. IL requires no outlay OF money-ths
resent revenues Of the islands are more tina ade-
uate TO the expenses Of lis government; time Or
orsunlty the interests alike OF the inn sbtsuts and
urseiyes point to this result believe, il all the
,ets bearing upon this question be presented to
be people Of the United states, a favorable rs-
poDse 10 the desire OF che Hawaiians will be the
rsult IL Il for the purpose of bringing the uues-
on TO Their constellation have taken the liberty
enclose you the facts he rein yvon for the suths
city Of which pledge myself
Very truly, your o6t scrv't,
BosroN, July 10, leJI.