The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-17
LETTER FROM THE SANDWICH ISLANDS
MAKAwAo MAUI, SANDWICH ISLANDS,
NOrembcr Ok 1870

MAKAWAo MAUI, SANDWICH ISLANDS
November 25, 1852
To The Editor Of the National Era.
In my last communication, said something
of the interest we felt in the then approaching
election in the United States, on account of
the probable change of the United States Com.
missioner and Consuls at the Islands | spoke
OF my acquaintance with Mr. Severance and
Mr.. Allen and of the very general, if not uni
versal, satisfaction which these gentlemen give
in the discharge of their respective duties.
With Mr.. Bunker, Of Lahaina, have less ac-
quaintance, and cannot speak so definitely,
though am told that he does well, takes good
care Of the seamen who touch at that port |
did not design to say more of-these gentlemen,
but Intelligence from Honolulu prompts me to
add some things respecting them; and also to
say word more on the exceedingly great i'm
portance OF having the right sort of men rs
United States Consuls and Commissioners at
all the ports whore our ships do business.
In regard to the annexation of the Sandwich
Islands to the United States allow me TO say
that, on the whole, | have great doubt of the
policy OF any such measure. do not speak of
the justice OF such an annexation, for don't
think such thing would be sought on your
part without the request or at least hearty as
sent, OF the native Hawaiian Government
shall not be greatly surprised though | have
heard nothing OF late, to know that the native
rulers shall be driven rs il were to take refuye
IN the arms OF the United States Government
But even II such request should be made |
trust that you would pause and reflect ere YOU
admitted hawali as younger sister of Oregon
ana California Many Americans wonld re-
Jolce IN the adoption of such measure-I
mean Americans among us But such would
soon bitterly repent of their folly. What we
all heed-Amerlcans, Englishmen, Frcnchmen.
ana men from every lands that the Hawaiian
Government should be sustained all nations
belng allowed to do business here ON equal
grounds, no part'allty being shown to any ma
ton; In TINS case, the persons and the rights
Oh all Deing equally protected all would enioy
degree OF freedom and an exemption from
burdens, unequalled, | believe, in any part of
the world Such, certainly, has been the case
these last ten years, as ! believe all wei. dis.
posed, industrious, intelligent foreigners can
testify. ! would most cheeriuly refer the oues.
ton OF political and civil liberty, exemption
from taxation, or equal taxation TO such men
as Joel Turrill, Elisha H. Allen. and Luther
severance, Esqulres ! scarcely know of an
advantage that would accrue TO the United
states Government from an annexation of the
islands while the disadvantages would be manv
and great The cost of governing the islands
would De vastly augmented, and of course the
burden OF taxes would be proportionally heavy
ana IN case OF misunderstanding between the
United States and Great Britain or France
the cost OF the defending these distant islands
would be immense, Ii Americans at the islands
chate against the islands, as against a rigid
and unyelding frontier they are ANYTHING
but wise Ne assured, and single years expe,
rience, If do not mistake would convince them
OF their folly