The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1866-11-24

= His Excellency General Z. NJ. NcCook,
American Minister Resident at this Court. ac-
comIanied by his wife. took passage in the [.
). Steamship VauderjiH on Thursday for San
Francisco. Mrs. McCook's health i feeble. and
the voyage i partly for her benefit. II is cur
rently rumOred, however, THAI the principal
object of the Generals visit to san Francisco. i
10 communicate with his government, by tele-
graph. and ask leave Of absence to visit Wash
ington, TO confer with the Cabinet respecting Il
Reciprocity Treaty. or 4 revision of the present
treaty. If this be -, and We sincerely hope
it IS. there Is scarcely any doubt that the
Government at Washington Will direc, him TO
proceed thither, and lay the subject fully before
it, 10 consider what il any terms can be sxed
on between the Two nations. which may prove
more advantageous than those now existing.
The General has been here long enough to
learn the real position OF things at the islands,
to see how dependent we are on the American
Pacific coast Tor 4 market for all our chief pro-
ducts, and how very advantageous, nos only TO
the interests of Americans resident here. but also
70 those Of the Hawaiian Government and Peo-
pie, will be a tre-ty bringing the two nations
into closer relations Of friendship, amity and
commerce. There is no use in denying that we
are practically a colony Of America, and our
trade is and will be almost wholly with her as
the mother country, if rightly directed and fos-
tered by treaty sdpulatiuns. Not only will our
islands gain by it, but the United States Will
derive Il large benefit in the increased trade with
this group.
\ Reciprocity Treaty, which is now 50 much
sought for, admitting our sugar, molasses,
hides, wool, &c, into America duty free, and
admitting her lumber, -four and manufactured
goods into this kingdom free, though apparently
IT first benefttins the islands most, will be
really of mutual benefit. We import from the
United States about rs much in value ~ we
export to them. BY extraordinary duties the
American Government derives $500, 900 from
our products. By very low duties, and by
allowing to whalers extraordinary privileges and
freedom of traiic,-we derive only Il fourth part
OF that sum from the same valuation of mer-
chandise, or say $l25, 900 in duties. The Ia-
waiian Nation and People are thus acting with
u llberality towards America, which she does
not reciprocate. We, u small nation, are be-
slowing premiums. rs it were, on her people and
her commerce If we were TO impose the same
import taxes on her goods, as she does on ours,
we might raise a much larger revenue, and, in
the course of time, transfer the manufacturing
of goods wanted TO our own shores.
Such a treaty will be advantageous to both
the contracting parties. 1t will give an i'm
mense impulse to the manufacture of sugar, and
Introduce foreign capital while as a necessary
result, 1T will Increase the trade between the
two countries a hundred-fold within two years,
and give to America and her manufactures an
immense advantage over other foreign countries
trading with these islands.
The United States and Canada had such a
treaty for years, and nothing but the open SYM
pathy OF the Canadians with the Rebels would
have terminated it. England and France have
a Reciprocity Treaty, which works to the ad-
vantage of both Countries.
If there could be an expression of the senti-
ments of our planters, in favor of Il Reciprocity
Treaty, supported ~ a similar move on the part
of the Chamber of Commerce of san Francisco.
and the capitalists of Oregon, Washington and
Nevada, it would add greatly to the chances of
its adoption by the present American Admins
tration.
1t is thought by some that there has not been
a more favorable time for making such a treaty
than now. And if there is any disposition on
the part of the authorities at Washington to
negotiate one, we hope our Ministry will be
ready to respond and enter into the engage
ment. The Minister who succeeds in elfecting
such Il treaty will be Il public benelactor, and
receive the homage of the nation. Let national
prejudices and interests be for once laid aside,
and the good of tie whole people be sought for.
Many think that no measure can prove so great
q national blessing as such Il treaty. And we
trust that, if General McCook returns with
authority to treat on the subject, he will be met
in such Il spirit on the part of our Ministry as
will ensure a new and acceptable Reciprocity
Treaty.
81 There is much sickness prevalent, result