Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1855-02-16
The Sandwich Islands.

The death of King Kamehamcha III, the
news OF which event came by the last arrival
from California, will have an important effect
upon the question of Sandwich Island annex
alton. The young King is said to be much
more under English influence than the late
King. and is decidedly opposed to annexation
1t was the opinion current at the Islands
that the whole subject would be dropped
We find the following account of the death
OF the late King in the New York papers
His Majesty, King kamehameha Ill, died
on the 18th of December, of hemurrhage ot
the lungs lie was born on the 18th OF March
Iol5, and was therefore Al years and nine
months old at tho timo of HE death
His Majesty and also the Queen were at the
parade und review of the military On the 2Stll
Uf November, which is u national holiday,
ana 1t was remarked by every one that tie
hlnS never appeared in better health but on
the afternoon Oi that day he WAS taken ill.
(prohably from excess OF drnking,) and did
not recover his health afterwards
His death was Immediately made known by
hoisting the ldrSe royal standard o, er the
Palace at hali-nast. At hali-pAst - clock
the bate on Punch Bowl commenced fri .
II minute guns; CORE >ponding with the
King 5 age, watch WAS f,lIowel in succes,o
ny tne I. 5. sloop 81. Mary and Brit sh
), 1ps Ir,ncomalee and P'luc, and by tue
French irigttc ArteDnSe ANA corvette Eury-
dice The minute gun, continued from Ia
to u . clock. =. NJ, wnlle all the war vess Is
wore Hawaiian ensigns ut halt mast
On the afternoon and also un the day follow
MS death, the corpse was Laid out in State at
the Palace, and was visited hy som, uOOO
persons at least, 1900 Of whUm "c,v fOIcis su-
ers. The Queen and high cels in the
room adjoining, and were evidently deeply
affected.
His Majesty was the warm friend of for
eigners, and they have lost one whom they at
all times found willing to listen to them.
The wtiling of the natives who were gath
cred by thousands in the Palace grounds, was
truly mournful. 1t was a relic Of their an
cient customs, which is only repeated on the
death of their highest chiefs.
On the second night after his death, the
corpse was lnclos d IN IL lead coffin, to await
the funeral, which was to take place on Sat
urday, the 3Oth December Great prepara-
tiOns were being made for the occasion, and
it WAS thought that it would be the grandest
display ever witnessed at the Islands. No
expense was to be spared. The palace, Gov
ernment Offices, court house and church where
the King attended, had all been draped with
At half past > o clock, December Is, His
Excellency the Governor Of Oahu, escorted
by company OF guards, caused the official
Proclamation given helow to be read in
Hawaiian and English ut the corners OF the
principal streets of Honolulu. The procla-
nation of His Majesty Kamchamelhl ". was
received with shouts from the people and
evident satisfaction wherever it was made
known
PROCLAMATION.
Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to
remove from this world our beloved Sovereign
his late Majesty klmehameht Ill, and
whereas, by the will of his late Majesty and
by the appointment and proclamation OF His
Majesty and of the House Ol No les, His Roy
al llighness, Prince Liholiho, was declared
TO be His Mujesty's successor Therefore
Public Proclamation is hereby made that
Prince Alexander Liholiho is King of the
Hawaiian Islands, under the style of Kane
hameha ".
God preserve the King. kEONI ANA
December Is, 1854 KUHiNA NuI
The young King, Kamehameha ". will he
2l years old on the 9Th of February, 1855
he is man of fair ability, having had a good
English educa ton, and has travelled through
the United States, England and France =
Hitherto he has given himself up to pleasure
to great extent, for want probably OF better
occupation, hut it is reported now that he
has determimined to abandon his billiard and
card associates, aud turn over new leaf
The former Kings Ministers Of course go
out of office, though they may all be recalled
by the present King. VIM. L Lee had ten
dered his resignation before the King death.
The new King has declined TO accept the re-
signaton, and Judge Lee will continue to
hold the Office of Chief Justice for the
present
there had not been the slightest indication
of any tlibustering outbreak Six hundred
soldiers were under arms and the presence OF
several war vessels also tended to Keep every
thing quiet.