Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1854-01-21
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
Mr.. Washburn of Maine made speech few
days ago on the sub lect of anhexation of the Sand
wich Islands. Mr. W. professed himself opposed
to annexation on the popular illibustering prnci-
PIES while.he contended that. annexation was mutu-
ally desirable to the Americans and the Islanders,
and that the latter were desirous of consumating
the measure. From his speech we extract the fol-
lowing facts relative to the Islands and their in
habitants.
The climate, though warm, is equablo and salu-
brious. "The heavens breath smells wooingly''
through the year, the mean temperature being
about seventy-fiye degrees, and the general range
for the year from seventy to eighty The soil is
rich in those parts Of the islands which have long
been free from volcanic eruptions. Their produc-
tons and capabilities are very great; and with the
spur and direction Of Anglo American enterprise,
the benefits of American trade and protection they
would be equal to those Of any country, although
half, at least Of the whole area is incapable Of
cultivation.
Independent Of kdto--an article Of food so rcadi-
ly grown that the entire population might be main
tanned, in health and vigor, upon the product of
six square miles-lrom which it will be seen how
easily human life may be sustained in these islands
the chief products are sugar, silk, tobacco cot
ton, coffee arrow root indigo, rice, ginger OIL salt,
pearls sandal wood, (nearly exhausted, it is to be
hoped, woods adapted to ship-building and cabi-
net work, some of them Of beautiful grain, and
nearly as hard as mahogany, skins and hides,
wheat, potatoes, and fruits Of various kinds. OF
the articles of commercial value. the most impor-
tant is sugar; as from the proximity Of the islands
to California, and other markets, the demand and
prices must be such to warrant its production in
large quantities, for which the soil aud climate are
very favorable. More than ten years ago Messrs.
Ladd Co. raised an average Of a ton and q half
to the acre, a rate at which one thousand square
miles would yield nearly n million tons, or four
times the total supply Of the United Kingdom Of
Great Britain and Ireland.
Sir George Simpson was of opinion that the ISL
ands might supply with sugar nearly all the coasts
of both continents above their own latitude Cali
fornia, Oregon, the Russian settlements both in
Asia and America and ultimately Japan;" and he
continues, "shOuld they be secured in this trade
they could hardly be dslodgcd from it by any rival
so long us they enjoy the advantage Of being the
great house of call both in the length and breadth
of the Pacific Ocean" The most reliable accounts
since received confirm his opinions as to the value
and promise Of this crop 1t is not known that our
late Commissioner Hon. Luther Scverancel has
never failed to urge its importance upon our Gov
ernment and people, and when his caution, sound
ness of Judgment, and means of information are
considered this fact speaks with great force for the
present and possible magnitude of this interest.
Inc WHICH lncSe lslilnuS would occupy are
so remote from our sugar fields on this side of the
continent, as to preclude injurious competition.
Silk may be cultivated to adya altage in certain
sheltered localities, and is believed to have even
fewer obstacles to surmount than sugar. II yields
six crops in the year, and may be produced at rates
which will allow it to be sold at remuncratng prices
in the United States.
Coffee, said to be equal to Mocha is among the
products of the islands that may be cultivated sue
cessfully, and raised in sufficient abundance to be
sent with advantage to almost any part of the
world.
Kukui oil is extracted from the nuts of the ku
ku light tree, and though inferior to linseed is
yet so much cheaper, that it finds an extensive
market in Lima, and has been sent with profit tC
the United States.
Salt is obtained in crystalline form from the
surface of small lake about four miles to the
west of Honolulu. The supply seems to be mex
haustible.
Upon the uplands of some of the islands pota.
toes and wheat grow with great luxuriance, and
besides supplying the domestic consumption and
the shipping, might be raised for expectation
The indigo plant, says a late number of the Poly
nesian, "thrives well at the islands, in all moist
situations, and grows spontaneously wherever il
once gets rooted. In fact, from single plant, it
spreads with great rapidity, covering in few
years many contiguous acres, and roofing out
Everything else, even the thick sod Of heavy
sward."
The more valuable animals which thrive in the
islands are cattle, horses, goats, hogs and in the
mountains, sheep. Fish are not so abundant as
around many other islands. They have, however,
several varieties and the inhabitants procure a toll
cradle supply
ain common with other islands of the Pacific, y
says Mr.. Ellis, they are entirely free from every
noxious and poisonous reptile, excepting centipedes
which are neither large nor numerous"
! Among the principal manufactures of the group
is kappa or cloth. 1t is made Of the inner bark OF
the wouty tree and is susceptible Of an infinite
riety of texture, smoothncss, and color. BY bleach
ing it is made perfectly white. 1t is adapted 70
various uses and for the sheathing of vessels is
preferred in the Pacific to felt.
In reference to the trade of the Islands, then
their importance as depot and house of call
almost incalcuable TO the United States, since the
possession of California and the opening up of O
new traffic between America and ASIA | cannot dc
better than to read extracts from an authority
to which have before made reference. The state
ments and opinions of Sir George Simpson, from
his intelligence and apparent candor, are entitled
TO great weight, and are generally sustained IL
important particulars by Ellis, Jarves, Walpole
Wilkes, and the more reliable encyclopedias whicl
have consulted, as we'll as by American residents
of the islands. He says:
From 1896 to 1889 inclusive there arrived a
Honolulu three hundred and sixty-nno vessels
On the 22d of October last, there were ninety
seven vessels at the three ports of the islands an(
] on the 9th of November, one hundred and six a