The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-19


telligence from California has brought Us some
highly important news from the Sandwich Islands,
the government Of which has refused to acccde TO
the demand of France with respect TO the restora-
tion of alleged excess Of duties imposed on wines
and sprituous liquors imported from France II sp-
pears, also, that other demands have been
msde-namely, that the French ami American mis-
sionaries shall receive equally the money of the la
waiian government for their labors-that the
French shall be represented in the cabinet Of the
King, as England and the United States are as
sumed to have representative in Mr.. Wyllie and
Mr.. Judd.
These claims very remarkable ones, and
though they made with the threat OF block.
ade unless complied with, We are well assured that
they win not be regarded In the first place, the
duty Of FIVE dollars per gallon wines and sprsaoas
liquors imported from France i very proper regu-
ation and the fact that the duties levied on ale,
beer, and cider, Of British manufacture, were re-
funded, gives no reasonable ground for similar
demand upon the part Of France With regard 20
the assumed representation Of England and the
United States in the Kings cabinet the demand Of
France is still more preposterous. The kingdom is
perfectly independent, and Is not subject TO the die
tation of any power; and when France makes such
demands as have cited, il makes itself incon-
sstent it does in that most silly Of all its de
mands, that the correspondence between itself and
the cabinet Of the King shall be carried on in the
French language.
There is, however, one point with respec. to this
business which, independent Of the interference Of
the French government, has a very deep interest
for the United States. Since the government Of
Hawaii, or the Sandwich Islands, has been threat
ened by the French, there has been disposition
among the islanders to be annexed to, or in some
way to become subject to the protection Of, the
United States. This is a feeling which cannot but
be regarded with the warmest encouragement and
favor; and the fac. that we have rapidly in
creasipg part Of our country on the Pacific shore,
urges US to be ready at the earliest moment to
secure some great points in the Pacific seas, for
naval ports and other purposes, which may be al
yantageous to country, after the great CONNER
eial revolution produced by California has had its
due influence upon the world. Polynesia furnishes
US in the Sandwich Islands-provided by any
rangement with the government it can be brought
about--a great desideratum. The United States
might derive vast advantages from the port Of
Honolulu and the coast, in consideration Of extend
ing protection over the people, large number Of
whom have been citizens Of the United States, and
who have great interest in securing the kingdom
against the assaults OF foreign powers. Without,
however, indicating precisely the mode in which
the Hawaiian kingdom should be virtually annexed
to US we may very properly desire that govern
ment shall give an enlarged, comprehensive, and
liberal investigation to this subject Ii is very i'm
portant to inquire whether not there is proba-
bility that, in few years, some point between
China and California win not be absolutely es-
sential to the proper protection of our in
the Pacific, and to the security Of the Pacific coast
Of the United States.
The Sandwich Islands are indeed, to California
what the West India Islands are to the Southern
States, and are destined to have very important
influence upon the course Of commerce, which is to
be very much extended throughout the islands of
the Pacific, to Australia, China, and Japan. While
the English governme Mt, particularly under Lord
Palmerston's troublesome, trespassing, but yet
sagacious policy, is fortfyng its position in favor
Of British commerce, our country and our govern
ment are altogether too supine questions Of this
character. Even the desires of foreign powers
who need aid, arc not promptly considered.
All the world, except own government,
perceive and acknowledge the grand position
in which this country is about to be placed
by the discovery and settlement Of California and Of
Oregon; and could only awake to a full sense Of
the necessity there Is rapidly growing upon Us Of
having formidable outposts to great extent OF
coast on the Atlantic, the Cult, and on the Pacific,
some great national policy might be the result,
which would be Of vast benefit 10 commerce,
lot for the present century only but for the next
one, and, perchanee, for manya one after it, The
world is about to see on the coast Of Oregon and
California as great changes brought about in the
commerce Of the world as have sprung up within
the last half century on the Atlantic seaboard In
a few years the whole Pacific shore will be busy
with an active population, engaged in a direct
trade with China, Japan, and every other country
ard island Of the Eastern hemisphere; and while
France England, and other powers arc aiming to
retard the inevitable tendency Of our ne settle
ments the western shores Of the continent il boz
comes to be alive to the importance Of the great
future before US.
There i, however, apart from the selfish con-
.ideratons which prompt us to give aid and sup
port TO the kingdom Of Hawaii, higher reasons,
grounded upon those lofly moral impulses which
always dignity q great and liberal government
i b. time has gone W when poverty a nation
rcstiicted u to act merely on tic defensive. We
ase now powerful and able to cope with the
most potent nations Of the earth; and where the
carse u humanity. and of the peace and prosperity
Of weak nations demands the Intervention Of our
strength 70 push back tie reckless invader Of a
peaceful and industrious country, should not
hesitate 70 give our support - the weak. wlcare
liable TO sUGer from oppression. Suca being the
maguanimous conduct which n good AMI great
govcirscnt should pursue, We trust that the
Sandwich Islands wiz God in the United States an
Glly lat vii rcTci any attempt to commit an act
81 Injustice against new and struggling kingdom,
emerging from barbarian 20 civilization aal hap
plncss.