Polynesian., 1852-04-10
REPORT.

San Francisco, February 19, 1852.
F. r. LOOMS, ESQ.,, SECRETARY NORTH PACIFIC
STEAM NAVIGATION COMPANY :-SIR,-In confor-
nifty with resolution passed by the Propretors o
the North Pacific Steam Navigation Company.
sailed from the port of San Francisco on the 26tl
Of December last, in the American steamship Con
stitution, for the purpose of visiting the principa
Islands in the Sandwich group, and ascertaining
the extent and nature of the traffic coastwise ant
generally to determine whether sufficient induce
ment existed to warrant the Company in introduc-
ing steam communication, as originally contem-
plated in pursuance OF which beg to submit the
following Report:
found 1888 tors of shipping actively and prof
itaby employed in the transportation of Island pro-
duce, merchandise and passengers between the
different ports and 1t is estimated that the amount
annually derived by the coastng vessels, from
these resources, exceeds S2CO,CC0, while the es-
tablishment of a number of coffee and sugar plan
tatlons, and the consequent introduction Of large
number of coolies, will have tendency to augment
the coast-wise traffic to considerable extent.
The natural pecuiarltles attendant upon coast
ing among the Islands, operate in favor of the ex-
elusive employment of steam navigation, perhaps
more than those of any portion of the navigable
world, as the winds prevail to such degree, that
sailing vessels require from four to six weeks in
the prosecution of a voyage, which, with steam,
could be accomplished regularly in four days.
In general commercial point of view, the Is
binds present somewhat gloomy aspect, produced,
undoubtedly, by an excess of mportations, COM
bined with the comparatively low range of prices
for Island produce; notwithstanding may be
observed by the statistics for 1851, published by
the CollectorGeneral, the commerce ftbe Islands
is increasing in ratio almost unprecedented, the
total importatons during the year 1851, having
amounted to 81 ,S23O2i.6e, against 81 ,035, ,G5807
in the preceding year.
But to confne my views entirely to the coast
ing trade of the Islands, consider that few mer-
camille operations offer safer or more profitable
investment than the employment Of steam in that
service, in which | am fully sustained by the tests
made with the Constitution. Labor with the ex-
ception of one engineer and one blacksmith fuel,
and supplies can be obtained on as favorable terms
as on the Atlantic side. In my calculation that
the company would be more than warranted in
placing steamer permanently on the route, have
only predicated my estimation the native traffic,
although the business carried on by the white
population is very considerable, and there Is no
reason why the company should not calculate upon
mercial crisis, as at present, that portion of the
trade is less be relied than that of the natives.
Finally. small amount Of capital, only, is re-
quired to carry into effect the views of the project
ors of the Company. and the Importance of the
trade is apparent, that in my opinion, the pro-
ject should be carried into effective operation with
the least possible delay.
beg to remain, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
WILLIAM GLEN.