The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1866-11-17

-3Ol
This is not only the largest feet sent out by
any country now in this hazardous but profta-
bic business, but it is also thoroughly equal to
the feet occupied immediately before the rebel
lion. We have no account of the number of
vessels employed in the business belonging to San
Francisco, but, IT our memory serves Us, there
are some eight or ten.
1t is curious To note the changes in the whal-
ing grounds. In those localities that were con-
sidered the best fifteen or twenty years ago,
scarcely a whaler is ever seen now. while the hest
grounds at present were seldom or never ire
quented then. The North Pacific lin the Ochotsk
Tegion) is now probably the best location for the
right Whale, while the coast of Lower California
has ~latterly become Il favorite resort. All these
changes. in connection with the trans-cOntIner tai
telegraph and projected railroad, point to San
Francisco as the principal place of rendezvous
for whalemen ultimately, in place of the Sand
wich or Hawaiian Islands. Indeed, each. sue
ceeding year witnesses an increased number of
arrivals at San Francisco 10 discharge and reft-
vessels that formerly were in the habit of recruit
ing at the Islands. The only drawback TO such
a change is found in the greater difficulty of set
Ting with the crews there than at the Islands
For Instance, at Honolulu the American Consul
fixes a price for oil and whalehone. and the crews
abide by such price; whereas, in San Francisco,
great difficulty is experienced in getting a salts
factory settlement with The crews, who, almost
invariably, fall into the hands of pettyfogging
'.' N'1 ~ -"
expensive suits of litigation. If some expedient
can be adopted whereby such litigated cases may
he obviated, however, there is no reason why San
francisco shall not become the great mart for
whaiemen in the Pacific. The advantages of that
port for whalers are manifold and obvious.
There, all outfits and supplies may be obtained
considerably cheaper, the facilities for transport
ing oil to the Atlantic ports are far greater, and,
through the medium of the telegraph, the mar
ket for oil and bone in the East can always be
ascertnipaI fraDn rUo ra fbraa S.nES earlier than
ut the Islands.
We do not. however, expect TO see the COM
merce of the Hawaiian Islands dwindle away in
the event of such a change as we have alluded to
The Islands bear much the same relation to our
Pacific pIssessions as the West India Islands bear
to the Atlantic States. The resources of the
Islands are rapidly being developed, and COM
merce between them and California and Oregon
enlarges every year. The Pacific Mail Steamship
Company, to which has been awarded the con
tract Tor the new line, originally contracted to stop
at Honolulu, but at the last session of Congress
the company applied to have that condition remit
ted and il was done, with the understanding
that Il new line will be subsidized to run more
frequently to that point. 1t is said that an alter
native condition, imposed by Congress, Will pre-
vent the company from accepting the bill, and
that an )ther application will be made at the next
session for the release from the detour to the IIa-
waiian Islands. The argument in its favor Is
that the great object of the line, the trade with
the East, will be endangered by the prolonga;ion
of the voyage, that it will place us ut a disadvan-
tage in the competition with England. To this
it is replied that the commercial Importance of
the Hawaiian Islands was one controlling motive
in the establishment of the line, and that we are,
more than ever before, interested in n frequent
communications with them. There is SO much
strength in both these views, that a compromise
will probably be effected, by which the great line
will be permitted. on Just conditions. considering
the reduction Of its expense thereby, to maintain
the most direct communication with the East,
while another line will keep up and extend and
strengthen our relations with Hawaii. The ISL
ands are peculiarly American their civilization
was accomplished at a great sacrifice and cost by
Americans, and now that they are in a position
to aid us materially with their commerce., their
importance should not be overlooked.