Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1858-05-24
THE GAZETTE.
MONDAY MORNING, MAY "a, 1888
TUE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

MONDAY MORNING, MAY "a, 1919
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.
This group of islands. Of which little sap
parently known to most Of our people Is 20"
making quits rapid progress, and Is destlL-
cd to become large producer and consumer.
With q most unrisalled climate, and a most
fertile soil, all that is necessary for develop
ing her wealth is supply Of labor. The
natives, like the inhabitants Of most tropical
countries, have natural antipathy for work,
and as the necessities of life are obtained
there cheaply, the profits ola few days labor
will support man for some tine. Some
years since it was supposed that the intro
duction Of Coolies would be attended with
good results, but upon trial it was founo tna'
they we're too unruly, and since then no 'u'-
Their importati4ns Of them have oeen maoe
Large numbers of cores. 1t Is salo, are no~
lying uneultivatsd, needing only ,he iaoorer
to make them yield most bountl'ui nsrvestS;
The form of government 10 Consutoeiooai
Monarchy, and the Legislative branch coz
sis,s of the House OF n 1bles and the House OF
Rsnresept stives; the former appointed by the
King. the latter elected by the People,
vriter 10 De Bows Review states that life
and property are safer there than almost
anywhere else, and that the resident foreign
or enjoys privileges unheard of elsewhere
With the Inducements which are thus offered
TO the emigrsrt, we believe that the only rea-
500 why these islands have not received
large accession to their Inhabitants, is be-
cause comparatively little is known concern
ing them. TO our own cOuntryDen they
should present great Inducements, since their
people have always evinced toward us, the
most friendly feelings. and frequently has
the question of annexation been discussed 10y
them.
As these Islands lie about two thousand
miles from the western coast OF our Union,
and 10 the track of vessels calling between
this country ADD the Ess. Iudies, China and
Australia, they are frequently visited for the
purpose Of procuring water and provisions,
and they are ON this account OF much import
ance to us commercially. Our whalers also
have been accustomed to visit them for like
purposes. France and Eogland have slrea-
dy acknowledged by their different acts the
important position which these Islands can
be made to occupy, and it therefore becomes
our policy to maintain with their Government
the most friendly relations. Annexation is
not desirable, but it would be preferable 10
having them pass under the protection OF any
foreign power. As, however, there is no
probability Of any such contingency as the
latter, all that is necessary for us to do, Is
20 take care of our own interests, and to ct,
courage the emigration of our people thither.
Among the present productions OF these
islands are cotton, sugar, c,ffee, and wheat.
The principal exports, however. are sugar,
molssses, coffee, arrowroot, pork, hides. and
goat skins. The value of the exports in so
wa $3.50 .544.22, while in 81 it was $685.
526. 10. This increase was 10 our favor. Tor
while the trade with Great Britain aud Ger
many fell of, that With the United States in
creased. OF the 80 merchant vessels which
visited the islands during the past year, Of
were American.
By the last intelligence from the Pacific,
it appears that Frarce has just concluded a
new treaty with the goveroment. by which
the duty on brandy was to be reduced from
S to 8 dollars per gallon. This reduction che
has been seeking for long time; but 1t Is
said that the benefits she expects may not be
resped, since in the grape brandy OF Caliior-
nis there may be found successful rival to
tho ordinary production of the French vine
Yards. However this may be, the fact that
France bias earnestly sought the reduction OF
this duty, proves that she is anxious to &C
cure the growing market Of these islands,
and that she wishes to cultivate friendly re-
lations With them. As many ofour country
men have already settled there, as the peo-
pie have always exhibited partiality to u,
% our trade with them is increasing, we
regard to them be not interisred with.-N.
p Courier