The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-20

SANDWICH IsLANDs-As there has been,
from time to time, great deal of talk regard
to the annexation of these islands to the United
States, it is important that the public should be
made fully conyersant with the terms upon
! which it is proposed to cede them to our gov
eminent. By the San Francisco papers we
learn that the last rumor relating to the matter
was that the American government had agreed
to give king kamehameha 8 800, cooper annum
during his life, and the same to the heir appa-
surrendering their claims to the sovereignty to
the United States government. Intrinsicasly
the value of the Sandwich islands amounts ii
but little. The whaling fleet has made them
what they are, and now sustains them, and
when once withdrawn, as it will be, in favor o
its natural depot, San Francisco, the islands vii
only be valuable for coaling and recruiting
station for our anticipated China and Japan
/ fleet of steamers. 70 corroborate this opinion
let us refer to facts.
All will acknowledge that the main founda-
tons of the prosperity of the islands must be
their agricultural products, yet California is
shipping to them by every vessel that leaves
for their ports considerable amount of potatoes,
barley, onions, DC. The Flying Dart, which
sailed but short time since, took three hun
dred bags potatoes. twenty sacks onions, and
one hundred bags barley, and this is but one
there for that destination. This fact must be a
heavy offset against their official account of
domestic produce shipped, which in 1853
amounted to only 1921 ,5ee, Notwithstanding
in this amount suppositionary calculation is
made, charging each whaleship's supplies in
gross.
To recur back to the consideration of the
amount asserted to be paid by the United
States government, for the purpose of arguing
the complete absurdity of the statement we give
the full amountreceived by his Kanaka majesty
at the present time from the nation for the sup
port of his dignity. 1t is taken from the civil
list, approved August 18th, 1854: !.
For his majesty's priTy purse...........$10,00 900
For his ma jestys royal state. 4,UuU
For his maestys medical Attendant. 5000
For her majesty the queen 1000
For his royal hghness heir APPARENT. 5000
For prince Kamehameha, general of
division and privy counsellor............ sou
10000
Which is the whole amount received by the
king and heir apparent.
We opine it would be satisfactory specula-
ton for his majesty to sell out for a snug sum
Of $780, per annum.
The whole receipts of customs amounted in
the year 1853. to 1856, SAC, from which is to be
deducted the cost of collection, leaving the nett
assets at a small figure. -.....
That these islands will eventually be incor-
porated into our Union is beyond question, but
not on such exorbitant and indefinite terms.
There is a possibility, if not probability, that
the "heir apparent may live fifty years, and it
is scarce y to be supposed our government would
lay itself liable to give him twelve times the
salary Of the president during that period.
The Nacogdoches Chronicle says that the
cotton crop comes in pretty-freely, and is ship
ped off daily by ourmerchants. Shreveport and
Grand Ecore will divide the shipping business
of this place. The crop is far behind that of
last year, and is perhaps the worst yield in ten
years. The staple however is good, and will
command very good price. Until the late
frost, the prospects Of second crop were very
fair; but the wilted blossoms now give little ev
idence of any future growth.
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The New York Herald predicts that there
will be but two political parties known during
the next presidential contest, viz: ''the Amer
lean party" and ''the foreign party" The
former, it says, will be composed of the Ameri-
can people, without regard to past political is
sues; and the foreign party made up Piercites,
the Office holders and their relations.
We perceive by the telegraphic reports that
a rumor has reached New York to the effect
that doctor Kane (of Grinnel's American ex-
pediton) had found the remains of sir John
Franklin and his company, frozen to death, in
a complete state Of preservation
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It is stated that the administration contem
plate a naval demonstration in the ports of
Dutch india to enforce the claim of captain
Gibson and compel the authorities there to re-
ceive consular agent from the United States.
We do not believe word oft.
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Much distress now prevails among the labor
ing population of Richmond, Virginia, in con-
sequence of the high rates ofprovisions, and the
deep depreciation in the price Of labor, conse
quent upon the completion of the ship-lock and
other public works, which, during last winter,
afforded employment to hundreds, who are now
out of work.
The New Orleans papers record the death of
colonel John R. Grymes, the distinguished at
torney at law, in the 68th year Of his age. He
was appointed by Mr.. Jefferson, United States