The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1859-01-27

But the Governor has most magnific ideas OF
the Importance of the whale fishery of the North
Pacific, probably obtained by counting the num-
Der of vessels which appear in the New Bedford
Shipping List, and supposing that they all con-
c~entrate here every fall. He says
/" The advantage of obtaining this immense trade
must be apparent to all, when it is remembered that
six hundred and fifty vessels, of the largest class,
manned 10y over eighteen thousand seamen, and rep.
reseuting a capital of more than twenty millions OF
dollars, are engaged therein. Every class OF the
community is deeply interested in making San Fran
cisco the depot Of this immense fee"
In summing up the paramount advantages of
San Francisco over Honolulu as a whaling rem
devious, the Alta says:
cit is much nearer to the whaling grounds than
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on New Bedford can be obtained
here at q less discount than at the Sandwich Islands
vessels can always be found here for the tranship-
ment of the years catch, and supplies can be pro-
cured at less rates than at any of the islands OF the
Pacific"
Vessels leaving the Northern whaling grounds
would probably reach San Francisco a week or
ten days sooner than they would the Sandwich
Islands. To a merchant vessel, bound for a mar
ket or to secure a freight, this would be an i'm
portant consideration, but with a whaler it is
quite different. The former, with all sail set,
rises above the horizon, and scuds along for its
destined port, making the most of every slant of
breeze, while the latter, its home and occupation
being most emphaticaliy on the mountain
wave,' takes things leisurely. and be the wind
fair or foul, rarely carries sail, unless to claw off
a lee shore.
Secondly-drafts on New Bedford could not
well be obtained at a less discount than at the
Sandwich Islands the past season, seeing that
exchange ruled at par about the entire season.
We have heard, however, of a few outside trans
actions during the first part of the season as high
as FIVE and seven per cent. discount, but latterly
par has been the rule.
Thirdly-vessels have always been found here
for the transhipment of the years catch. and the
past season there has been a surplus of fine clip
pers, while freights have been easy.
Fourthly-it may be true that most of the
vegetables needed by whalers can be procured in
the San Francisco markets, of better quality and
cheaper than in Honolulu, but the assertion can
not be substantiated in regard to such other sup
plies which are required by whalers.
Another consideration, which is lost sight of
by our neighbors across the water is, that the
market of San Francisco is a very fiuctuating one
OAn hhS NO6 >hSoP
mine prices. Even vegetables, confessedly supe-
rior to ours of some kinds, are not always either
cheap or plenty.
Finally, our California friends may rest assured
that without a total changein the existing order of
things, they cannot hope that the whaling fleet
will forsake the snug harbors, delightful climate.
and good accommodations of the Sandwich
Islands for the fogs and chills, the petti-fogging
lawyers, and the landsharks of San Francisco.
Commercial Table.
We present below our usual annual compare
tive view of the commerce of these islands, en-
bracing the statistics of the past thirteen years,
so far as iobtainable. In our commercial column
will be found some reflections which have been
suggested by a careful examination of this and
the tables furnished by the Collector-Genera Of
Customs. 1t is a source of congratulation that
the statistics of trade for 1858, show a much
healthier condition of imports and exports, rela-