Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-12-01
PoLYNEsIAN INTELLIGENCE.

Herald, Non. /. s.t
POLYNEsIAN INTELLIGENCE.
News FROM HAwAn-The British frgate Am
phitrite Captain Fredericks, had arrived at San
Francisco from Honolulu, with dates 10 the LIST
ultmo.
The recent change Of ministers seems to have
satisfied the people for the present, and affairs
were proceeding very quietly.
The Argus says, that owing to discrepancy be-
tween the constitution and the organic acts, his
royal highness Prince Lot Kamehameha has tenn
porarily resigned the premiership, and that il has
pleased his majesty TO reappolnt John Young, esq,
10 the Office Of Kuhina Null
The Argms, although opposed to annexation,
opens its columns TO the advocates of the meas
ure. Several elaborate articles in its favor have
recently appeared. The writer, in discussing
at length the various objections made TO annexa-
ton, says
q The export of sugar alone TO California during
the last month amounted to a very large sum.
Coffee, though but little cultivated, has always
found ready purchaser IN the land OF gold; and
if the planters are able 10 sustain themselves
der the present heavy duties that they are COM
PEELED to pay to the government of the United
States, is il not plainly apparent how great and
important stimulus would be offered TO the cult
walton of the soil if this objection were removed
But these are not by any means the only articles
that could be successfully cultivated for expora-
ton on this fertile group ofslands. never-fang
market for all the tropical fruits that could be grown
here would be discovered. Oranges, pine-apples,
bananas, melons, &C.. form most valuable branch
of business between Cuba and the United States,
as any one conversant with the subject is aware
But were sugar and coffee the only articles that
we are capable Of raising for exportation, we
should under the protecting wing OF the American
eagle find larger consumer than we We're able
TO supply
The writer then goes on to show that the ma
tives are all rapidly fading away-thst an indus
trious population is necessary to recuperate the
islands, that no such population can be expected
by union with France or Great Britain, and that
it is only by annexation TO the United States that
an immigration could be effected. "That will
vive the decaying energies of this nation, fer to
all others they are comparatively Of little value,
and no other can be compared to the United States
in the amount Of mutual advantages that will be
conferred, for no other will bring the
of population with the energy and the INDUSTRY TO
develop the resources of the soil"
Another correspondent writes: ;" We have lately
achieved great victory, but the battle that has
been fought is one only of a series that we have
to fight. IL we remain true 10 ourselves, public
opinion will. in the end, conquer, and we shall
secure an efficient and responsible government in
these Hawaiian islands. Know we not, who would
be free, themselves must strike the blow? This
saving should be taken as our watchword it
should be very Shibboleth amongst us, and
should never be absent from our minds. We
have struck one blow, and its weight should
show us what we can do when we have unanimi-
~ in our ranks, and justice on our side. The
next thing we have TO do is TO dissolve that un-
holy alliance that exists between the press and
the administration TO dry up the ink, and stay the
pen that is always ready to suppress truth, and
and propagate error-this would be to burst our
our bonds asunder at a blow, and to secure for
the future, popular, impartial, and responsible
government. 1t would be one of the most search
ing and effective measures OF reform that we
could possibly carry"
George NJ Chase has been officially recognized
as consul Of the United States for the port Of La
hama.
There were over seventy whalers off East Cape
at one time, most of which had small fares this
season, on account of bosterous weather and thick
fogs. A great portion Of the feet were leaving for
the islands and other grounds, on account of the
scarcity Of whales and ill success.
Loss of the Ship Citizen, of New Bedford
OF the numerous fleet of whale ships that cruised
in the Arctic in 1852, we believe the Citizen, of
New Bedford was the only one not reported as
having visited some port or known to have been
lost. For the past six months or since news from
the different ports visited by whalers had been
received fears were entertained for the fate ofths
ship, which, unfortunately, have been confirmed
by the arrival at Honolulu of the William Tell,
Captain Taber, from the Arctic, on board OF which
ship were two Of the crew OF the Citizen. From
one Of these Joseph Mears, of Philadelphia, the
| following particulars have been obtained:
On the 25th ofSeptember, 1852, the Citizen had
been lying to in heavy gale for four days. Hav-
ing been without observations her position was
not exactly known and during the night of that
day it was found that she was getting into shoal
water, when the ship Immediately put about
| and sail made upon her.
Before she could accomplish this, however, she
struck upon sand beach, about north latitude 81
deg. when her masts were immediately cut away. |
A heavy sea soon struck the ship, and carried
away her poop deck aft, making her perfect
wreck.
Being too rough for boats to live, the crew sue
ceeded in getting ashore on spars &C., with the
exception of four Portuguese and one American, |
Charles L. Heath, of Philadelphia These were
drowned in attempting 10 reach the shore Tho
morning dawned upon bleak and uninhabited
shore, and found them in circumstances OF peril,
which require strong nerves 10 encounter. During |
the day small quantity of provisions were washed
ashore, which were carefully rolled up on the
beach. The next endeavor of the wrecked men
was TO find inhabitants, and shelter from the
bleak winds and intense cold, which would have
soon cut them of without protection
After little exploration, Two natives were dis |
covered, who were friendly and these they ac
companied TO the nearest Villages which was about |
fifteen miles distant. Here they were received
with the kindest attentions, and everything done
for their comfort which the circumstances OF the
natives allowed Sledges were dispatched for
the provisions saved which were safely housed. |
The crew were provided for in the native huts,
and furnished with skins, without which, during |
the winter they would have persisted. The pro-
visions saved from the wreck subsisted the crew
for about six months, after which time, for two
three months they furnished by the natives
with fish, whales blubber, walrus flesh, &c. For
more than two months entire darkness reigned,
and the cold was most intense. An American
and Hawaiian were frozen TO death during the
winter.
The settlement consisted Of fifteen huts, and a
population Of about fifty persons, all of whom
seemed to feel responsibility Tor the safe keep
ing Of their guests and apprehensive that if any
of them should be lost, the American government
would punish them for their neglect. This appre-
hension led them TO impose some restraint upon
the crew, who did not understand wei! as
they the danger Of exposure TO the cold CO the
hazard they would run in attempting 10 reach the
East Cape, which some ofthem had an idea o. un-
dcrtaking when their provisions failed.
From February TO April, different parties iaf for
the cane. about 225 miles distant. They Travelled
on the ice, and wherever they found natives, they
received the Same kindness and hospitality as at