Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-05-26
MISCELLANY Y.
The Sandwich Islands.

About one third of the distance from our
western coast TO China, lie this group of Ten
islands, thrown above the surface of the wa
ter by volcanic action, as il on purpose to
form depot on the great highway between
the two continents. They contain some,
6OO0 square miles Of territory, with popu-
lation of about $4,000; and are Of more in
terest and importance to us than any other
lands in the Pacific. When these islands
were discovered by Capt. Cook, in ITS, the
natives, who are of good size, well-formed,
with fine muscular limbs, mild dispositions,
and intelligent minds, numbered 100000
Since then they have exchanged The worship
of their fathers for christianity, and have per
mitted the establishment OF new laws, schools,
printing presses &C., while it cannot be de-
MED, that their CONDITION has every day
grown worse and in poverty, filth and
wretchedness, they are passing from the face
OF the earth, yielding their places for supe-
rior race fitted for the work that Providence
has 10 perform in that region. War for the
supremacy among native chiefs first reduced
their population. Then came with the white
people, disease, e,licentousness, drinking, gam
bling-moral and physical degradation -ex-
tending from the king on his throne 10 all his
subjects, which have left less than 10000
population, foreign residents included, and
these have decreased 10000 in the last ten
years, showing that very shortly these is.
lands are to come into the possession of
some other people.
The Sandwich Islands are nominalIy inde-
pedent. The existence of the Hawaiian gov
ernment was first recognized by the Uni
ed States; and from us they received chris
tianty, and with US, through means OF the
whalemen, to whom this is a favorile resort
is their principal intercourse and busi-
ness. The power is really, however, in the
hands of the American missionaries and
American residents. The king is content TO
spend his time in gaming and other vices,
while his chief officers are Yankees. Though
il cannot be possible that we should ever al
low the Hawaiian kingdom to pass TO other
hands, yet we have not been without rivals
in that quarter, and are not without compe-
litors at this moment for dominion. France,
that took advantage of the defenceless queen
POmare, aud siezed upon the Society Islands,
has not been without disigns of adding these
lands also to her dominions. la 1889, she
threw large number of French priests upon
the islands, attempting to gain religious in-
fuence over the natives while at the same
time French man of war at Honolulu, forced
the admission of French wines and brandy
at low rates of duty, and exacled from the
king the payment of $4,000, as security that
they should thus be admitted. Ever since,
upon the slightest pretexis, they have been
presenting claims against these islands, and
every concessions has been followed by yet
more insolent demands, until the king, Ka-
meha meha, has became unable TO meet them,
and it is now asserted that France with n
squadron, of two 60 gun ships and four 9TH
er vessels Of war, will press her demands
even to a seizure Of the islands.
The king seeing the decline Of his people,
and the increasing importance of the islands
10 us, who have been his proteclOrs-to avoid
all future trouble, has frequently expressed
wish to abdlcate, and have bis dominions be-
long TO, and be protected by the United States.
Il is said that this proposition was made 70
Mr.. Fillmore; but this acquisition of the
highest importance TO our national suprema.
cy and commercial interests, was delayed and
rejected. And now the same proposition is
reported to be again made 10 President Pierce.
If il be so, we cannot question that II will at
once be accepted. We have not doubt
ourselves that within two years at most, an
nexation will be consumated, and representa-
tives and senators from off the continent, will
he at Washington. Our growing commerce
in the Paci6c-lhe relation Of these islands
10 our western coast, and their importance in
establishing steam communication with
China and India, demand that this should be
the case II however we should refuse them,
they can never fall into the possession of
France or England. There are men in Cal
ifornia who will take care Of that; and San
Francisco must be removed at greater dis
lance, or no other power obtaining possession
could hold them for ninety days.-Ne,Cbmy
port Union.