Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864, 1855-05-12
HONOLULU, H. l., MAY IL, 1855. s--aaaa

to his own hands, in redress of untried griev
ances, alleged by their cOuntrymen. In ar
official dispatch, which on ihe l4th February
lS4S, he addressed TO my late lamented friend
General Mahlon Dickinson, of New Jersr Y.
then Secretary of the navy, claiming compen-
satIon for extra services, he took credit TO
hImself for having on the fourth day after
I signing that treaty, secured the subsequent
payment of over $500, 900 due by the late
King Kamehameha lst of the Sandwich ISL
ands TO sUndry citizens of the United States
whose claims his Successors had refused to
recognize, and for the settlement of which.
the claimants had sought the interposition of
the United States government
Along with a copy of the said treaty, was
inclosed officially, marked C. the severe reg
HlatiOns under which that enormous claim
was to be paid. TIE following IS an exact
copy:
g The following are the regulations adopt
edaaEd enforced by the Sandwich Islands au-
thorities, in December, 1896, for the purpose
of raising revenue to discharge their debts
due to citizens of the United Staies:-
g Every man is to deliver half a picul of
good sandal wood TO the governor of the dis
trict to which he belongs, on or before the
first day of September, 1927; in case OF not
Spanish dollars, or any property worth that
sum, will be taken in payment"
" No person, except those who are infrrn
or of.oO advanced an age to 20 to the noun
tains, will be exempted from this Iaw.'' -..
T (" Every woman of tho age of thirteen
years or upwards, is to pay mat IL feet
long and six wide, or tapa, OF equal value,
Ito such matt or the sum of one Spanish
dollar, on or before the first day of Septem-
Der, 1927"
The amount of these taxes TO be deposited
in houses appointed Cor that purpose; and on
no account is any part thereof to be removed
or 60 to any other purpose except iquidating
the debts due to the creditors OF the govern
ment -
"AlI moneys collected under this tax at
to be deposited 10 a chest secured by iron
hoops and firmly nailed, with a hole in the
top sufficient to admit a dollar; this chest is
to be placed under the charge of some trusty
person, and on no account to be opened with
out giving notice to the creditors. All persons
who intend TO pay their taxes inhogs, are TO
pay on or before the last day of January,
1927"
Every man who shall proceed to the
mountains for sandal wood shall be at liberty
TO cut one picul, and on delivering half a
Picul TO the person appointed to receive it,
shall be entitled to sell the other half OH his
own account and to whomsOever he may
think proper"
"After the public debts are paid, the re-
mainder of the amount of this tax to be divid-
ed between the king and goveTnOrs-one half
TO the Regency, for the use of the king; and
the other half to be divided between the gov
ernors, in proportion. to the amount collected,
from each Island. "
sc The last day Of each month is appoint
ed for the purpose of receiving the taxes from
such persons as may be desirous of paying
before the final period above mentioned.-
Should that day be on Sunday, the day follow
ing TO be considered the proper day for re-
ceiving payment.
Z" The amount OF these taxes, as soon as
money can be realized for the cloth and mats,
shall be paid to the different creditors, in pro-
portion to their respective debts, at the end
of every three months. The sandal wood also
to be divided 10 like proportion"
'' First payment, the lst day of April.
g Second payment, the lst day of July"
Third payment, the LIST day of September
(0ctober.")
Given under our hands and seals, at Oahu,
this 9th day Of December, 1896, in the
name, and on the behalf Of His Majesty
ELIZABETH KAAHUMANU,
QUEEN REGENT.
kARAtMOKu, PRIME MINISTER.
BCKI.
HOAPILI
EIDIA NAMAHANA.
Incredible though it seem, it would appear
that the amount was actually paid in a very
brief PERIOD for in the report of the com
mittee on Foreign Affairs to whom Capt.
Jones' memorial was referred, which report
was dated 23d MAY, 1888, the following pas
sage occurs-''The mission entrusted to
Captain Jones was of delicate and impor-
tant character, and was executed with great
ability and fidelity. More than $500, 900 was
secured, and subsequently paid by the King
/ of the Sandwich Islands TO citizens of the
United States, who had memoralzed govern
ment to enforce their claims; and for the man
ner in which he executed his order, and the
success which attended his efforts, your COM
miitee would refer TO the Report of the Sec
retary of the Navy; accompanying the PresI-
dent S message to Congress at the opening
of the session Of lS27-2S." Such are the
hard penalties which superior civilization ex-
acts of inferior-such the rule of christianity
applied 10 paganism, where no treaty exists
between the parties!-Yet these harsh exac-
tions left no hostile feeling among the Ha-
waiians, either to Captain Jones or 20 the
| United States; and il was well that IL was so,
for in subsequent years this kingdom has
had many proofs of the kind feelings of that
government, and has derived much benefit