Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-10

Sandwich Islands.-The steamer Polynesian
brings interesting news from these islands.
Catharine Hays gave concert AT Honolulu, be-
fore leaving for Australia.
The combined fleets Of England and France
consisting of eight vessels, had arrived at Homo.
lulu. The destination of this squadron is not pub.
hcy known.
The new steamer Polynesia made an excursion
with his majesty on board, members OF the legisa.
lure, and large party of ladies' aud gentlemen.
large meeting has been convened on the sub
lcct of steam communication between Honolulu
and San Francisco.
An audience was given, by his majesty, on the
2Isi instant TO Admiral David Price and Admira
Feyrier Des Ponies, accompanied by the repre-.
seniatives Of Great RTtan and France, and the
commanders Of the various English and French
vessels IN port.
The arrival of the Poynesian al Honolulu was
the occasion Of great pleasure, and the inhabitants
saluied her as she approached the wharf, with
hearty cheers Her passage was made in less
than nine days, and her return in less than thir-
teen days.
The combined fleets of England and France
'coDsisting Of the Vrago, frgates President, Am
J,titrie, Pque, La Forte and L'Euridice corvette
LAnmise, and brig LOblgado, had all reached
Honolulu.
The Polynesian says
"Tbis fine squadron is from Callao, via Nuku.
hiya, one OF the Marduesas Islands, and was but
fourteen days in making the passage from the lat
Russians, but the Russians are somewhere else
iust now and they must be hunted up If possible
when warm work viii, of course, take place.
Our last issue had just been circulated when
ll.BM.s frigate Pique. Capt Sir +. Nicholson, u
40 guns, arrived, and thus The number OF vessel.
comprising the squadron were eguaized--foui
English and four French, and bringing ND the
number of guns 10 100 English 10 IS French
while the steamer, with her very heavy arma
Inent, renders ihe two divisions OF about equa
efficiency. .. ..
All these vessels at anchor outside mode most
imposing appearance for this part Of the world
and one never before witnessed al the Islands
During the stay Of these vessels, they have bsef
busiy employed watering and taking in supplies
Of which the French ships required more than th,
English aud our wharves and streets have pre-
scented quite an animated contrast TO the usun
dulness Of the month Of July.
On Tuesday morning, (2ith July) at 10 o'clock
the squadrons took their anchors and stood of q
the southwest, out when hull down, altered then
course 10 the west, which course they were steer
ing when they passed out Of sight, the Viragc
leading. .
The destination Of the squadron is no, pubIiclS
known. From intelligence recently received from
san Francisco that dispatches were there awai,
ing the French admiral, and that he was soon . X
peeled, il has been surmised that The souadror
may look into that port; others again suppos,
that they are bound north 10 the Russian posse :
sions on The Asiatic continent, in anest OF III,
Russian vessels supposed 10 be cruising in tia
vicinity. However this may be, and whaieve
their destination, OF this we feel assured tina
from the efficiency Of the squadron. and the char
ter Of the officers IN command, If an opportunii,
presents, some brilliant achievements will be per
foi!ned during the cruise which this squadron
has new entered. But time alone can deiermin,
the result. ..."
As intimateJ in our last, his l?aiesty avaie,
himself of the ofief Of the Virago, by sadmrai
Price and Des PoiBies, and on Saturday al /,
embarked, with her Majesty the Queen, Prince,
hhohbo and kamehameha Princess Victoria, ia,
hhbina Nui, ministers Of state, members Of tb,
prIyy council aud OF the house Of mobiles, &c, &c