Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1864-11-17
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

The resources Of the Hawaiian, or as
they are more commonly called, the Sand
witch Islands, are but little understood by
the majority of the people of the United
States; nor is the importance of their
commercial relations with this country by
any means justly appreciated. On the
l4th of October last, ]. II. Mitchell, OF
the Oregon Senate, introduced series OF
resolutions into that body, urging the adj
visibility of a reciprocity treaty between
the United States and the Hawaiian Gov
eminent, for the remission of duties upon
certain articles of trade. Mr.. Mitcheu's
speech upon his resolutions contains much
valuable information on the subject of the
trade between the States and the Islands,
from which we quote the following:
The great and incalculable advantages OF
these Islands to the United States in COM
mercial point of view, and more especially
to the people of the Pacific States and Terri
tories, will not for moment be questioned
by any one. Foreign Powers-France and
Eugland-have long been looking down with
an avaricious eye upon their wealth; these
powers are not uninformed, or forgetful OF
their Importance as military foothold in fu-
ture gigantic efforts for the further extension
of Empire, and they are doubtless each to-
day looking forward to the time when its
banner shall wave triumphant over these
gems of the Pacific. They have long and
earnestly labored to obtain controlling
power by which the Hawaiian Government
would be rendered subservient to their will.
To-day the ports of British Columbia are
thrown open to their trade, and our northern
neighbors of Vancouver's Island, and other
portions of the British regions, BY reason OF
their free ports, are already enjoying all the
benefits of this trade, which we, by reason of
our high duties, are to very great extent de-
MED the advantages we might otherwise en-
ioy; while at the same time the revenue
arising to the General Government from these
high duties, after the deduction Of all ex-
penses, is but very meagre indeed. The
gradual entertainments Of the English Gov
ernment upon American commerce, and upon
outposts OF such vital importance to the peo-
pie of this coast, should not be overlooked BY
the American people, or BY our National
Government.
The binding ligaments Of trade are difficult
to be broken, and let these Islands be bound
70 us BY treaty and interest, and it will prove
the strongest barrier that can possibly be
reared against the encroachments Of foreign
powers upon trade of such vast. Importance
to us as a people. The United States Gov
ernment has at the present day great ad-
vantage over all the nations of the Earth
combined, so far as the trade Of these islands
is concerned; and it is alone by removing
the restrictions imposed by heavy duties, and
encouraging n closer relation of reciprocity
between the two Governments, that we will
be able to retain it.
It will be seen from the following table Of
statistics that our trade with the Hawaiian
Government, or rather their trade with US, is
very large, compared with any other country:
Value of Foreign Imports 10 the Sandwich Islands
for the year 1863 upon which they pay duty
From the United States, Pacific side. $i03,5O2 y
From the United States, Atlantic side. 1870 90
From Bremen Observation-Disclosures. lSi'4us ~
From Great Britain. Observation-Disclosures. 63,4OO II
From Yancouvcr's Island. 322lO %
From Islands of the Pacific ........-. l2,749 %
Total NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. S73O,UoO "
Amount of goods and spirits bonded, and goods
and spirits imported free of duty into the
Islands, from all countries, in the year. lso3
Goods and Spirits, bonded. sal Jus ~
Goods, free Of duty NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. so,1Si *
Total, bonded and free of duty .Si36,si6 Il
Time Il will he aeen that of the imnorta-