Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1852-02-28

an unlimited monarchy it has made rapid strides
towards Republicanism. The fact is, where oul
countrymen migrate, they sow the seeds of sell
government, which naturally find roots in the
hearts OF men, and causes longing for the free in
sufutlons OF America, nor will they rest satisfied
until they become Incorporated into the glorious
Umon do not be surprised, ere long, if request
Of tins kind should go from here. This may seem
chmercal, but it is the inevitable destiny of the
Sandwich Islands. 1t will not probably please
England or France, but time will work these
changes in spite of them; then, under these sunny
skies and on this fertile soil, with the "star span
gled banner" floating DER us, we will shew you the
Eden of the world Respectfully Yours
f7'- R.T.
Private) Honolulu, 26th, April, 1850
My DEAR Sir, Yesterday received slip from
the Plaindealer of Cleveland { Is December, IS4S
containing your letter of Sth June, lS4S in which
you speak of me, the author of the editorial in
the ,'oynesian of the 1st of April of that year.
had nothing whatever to do with that editorial or
the other communication which appeared in the
same paper; and hope you will have it so stated
In the Plaindeaer, for of nothing less covetous
than OF the fame of being the author of anonymous
communications, or articles in the Poynesian, in
culpating your conduct, as public functionary.
In some things which you say, in your precited
letter, agree with you and in others do not
consider the missionary replies to my queries as so
very ingenious and candid as fully to vindicate
them from the charge of having deliberately exag-
gerated the degree of christian morality that they
have brought the natives to- on these Islands. But
l am not sure that you ever brought or meant to
bring that charge against them.
agree with you that in strict comparison with
enlightened and refined christians in Great Britain
and the United States, the appellation christian
Is OF doubtful application to the Hawaiians, in gene
raj But if not christians in that sense the Hawai-
lans are assuredly not heathens, in any sense. In
knowledge of reading and writing, and even of the
precepts of christianity, believe them to be supe-
ror to the 1sraetes the knowledge they possessed
OF the Lvitcal law, and to the early believers in
Christ, among the Greeks, Romans and Jews, made
such by the oral addresses of the Apostles. You will
remember, it was some time before the early fol-
lowers of our Saviour and of his apostles, assumed
the name of christians. The vast majority of early
christians were altogether ignorant of letters and
could not possibly understand more of the princi-
pies of christianity, than what they could gather
from the brief speeches of the Apostles. Perhaps
conviction of sin--a feeling of repentance, and a
reliance on the sacrifice of our Saviour, for their
PARDON were the sum total of their christian know
LEDGE The Catholic church, even, nowadays,
does not lnculcate much more, and what our Saviour
said to the thief on the cross leads to hope that
even that measure of knowledge may carry the pro-
fessors, whoever they may be, to Paradise.
The missionaries have carried the Hawaiians far
beyond that knowledge, but they have not extirpa-
ted all their vicious habits. This they regret quite
as much as either you or can.
In regard to political influence by missionaries,
am quite as much opposed to it, as you can be-
The history of all ages and of all countries proves
that Priests are bad civil governors. Here they
have suggested some of the best early laws but be-
yond that, know Of no political interference that
can be brought to their charge. Those who have
left the mission, consider as no longer missiona-
ries, and do not look upon them as disqualified
tor secular employment, merely because they had
before been missionaries.
| enclose the Poynesian No. 80 containing my
report You will Observe that as requested by you,
have added your correspondence with me, upon
he subject of treaty, which assure you, | was
Tery anxious to have matured with you. When the
appendix is printed, shall send you the whole in
pamphlet form. As public man l may have ccm-
nitted many errors but have committed none in
nor would l conceal any of my acts
rom public scrutiny. IF have offended you, in
ny thing, am sorry fol- it, and if have given any
ccasion for being represented as corrupt Foreign
official, near the king, bent only on feathering my
wn nest, am altogether unconscious of it.
hope you will receive this letter in the friendly
ense in which it is written, and believe me always
My dear sir,
L Yours truly rr