The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-01-13
CALIFORNIA CORRESPONDENCE.
iron ouR REGULAR coRREsroSDEST.l
San FRAScIsco. Dec. 50, 1853


Tropical Society again.
Social life in the Tropics is an Interesting
theme, but ii has been awfully misrepresent-
ed through the Overland McnfAly This pc
riodieal, from its first issue, has been receiv-
ed Us one of the best magazines OF the coun-
try. 1t is extensively read on the Pacific
Coast, and has q large circulation in the
cities of the Eastern border. 1t has been
most latteringly noticed by a great number
of the most popular Journals on both sides
of this Continent, as well as In Europe. II
began, and for several months sustained it.
It Is published. Its writers being men of crl-
ture and learning. How 1t could have al
lowed itself to become the medium through
which some illgraeious rover has vented his
possible to conceive. The Overland Monthly
is, undoubtedly, by this time, thoroughly
ashamed of the article, as the author is
ashamed of his name. We have not been
able TO ind out who wrote the article, nor
how much its author paid to have 1t pub
lished. Like the author OF the Honolulu
Looking glass, his name may remain secret.
1t gives us pleasure TO say that the late Min
lister Resident is not the guilty man. This
was so strongly insinuated in an article in
the Bulletin OF Dec. 18th, that the impression
was publicly denied by the editor In the fol-
lowing number. A reply TO the article has
been published in the same paper. 1t places
Island society in better light before the
world.
Diplomatic.
The Bulletin in its issue of December 10th,
makes the following pertinent remarks re-
garding the Islands:
The lack of correct intellectual and social
appreciation of the Islanders has been sadly
manifest at times, on the part OF our Govern
ment. How otherwise shall We account for
the prevailing opinion that our diplomatic
representation has generally been quite be-
/ low the average intelligence and culture OF
the foreign element at the Hawaiian islands,
Nor has it altogether worthily represented
! the best phases of American life at home
| 1t is better that this mission should be abol-
| ished, than that II should be so filled from
| time TO time 10y needy and importunaie men,
as 10 fail in all the essential requisites Of
I II
| influence would have been any less II during
the last ten years We had sent no Commits
/ sioners to the Islands, or had allowed each
to enjoy the salary of $500 per annum at
home. One of these Commissioners was so
] awkward and knew so little of the proprie-
ties of his position that he was the laughing
| stock of both foreigners and natives. An
other armed himself with bowie knife and
made murderous attack upon a leading cit
/ iZen because, as editor, he admitted n com
munication into the columns of his paper,
/ critieizing-the conduct of the Commissioner
The man of bowie knife accomplishments
took himself incontinenily out OF the coun-
| try by way of China. A third Ambassador
was noted for vulgarity of speech and man
ners, and made brilliant close Of his minis
| try by writing and publishing the famous
| lampoon upon the people, known as the
Honolulu Looking Glass. Another, we be-
| lieve, during term of Office of three years,
spent about ten months of his time in the
Hawaiian kingdom.
We are glad to see that the press of this
/ State has taken hold of that subject, and we
hope that such an influence may be brought
ington as will cause our Government to send
true and faithful diplomatic representatives
to the Court of Hawaii.
1t is more likely that the appointment will
be given to California or Oregon. which here
tofore has claimed the honor, as the latter
State sent Democratic electors to Washing
ton.
A Bold SwindIer.
We have had visit from one of those
honest looking. nice appearing, afable gen.
tlemen, who talk smoothly, while playing
an underhanded game to the modification Of
their unsuspecting victims About2 months
since Mr., Thomas Stevens arrived in this
city from Panama, and represented himself
as one Of the principal stock owners in the
Panama and New Zealand Royal Mail Steam
ship line He was introduced on board the
steamer at Panama by Mr.. George seely, the
agent of the above named Company at that
place, who seems to have been taken in. On
the steamer he sumptuously entertained and
the compliment was returned in like manner.
On his arrival here be was introduced to the
firm of ]. c. Merrill & Co., by the Purser Of
the steamer, brother of F. L. Hanks, for
merly of your city. Mr.. Stevens lived in
style at one of the first class hotels, and
made many new and admiring friends, all of
whom he entertained in prineely style. He
was fine looking old English gentleman,
with an honest face, and very ministerial
cast of countenauce. He examined our-city
front for the purpose of obtaining docks,
slips and wharves for the projected new line
Of steamers of this company.
This line, we believe, was to run between
this city and Australia, touching at Homo
lulu en- route.
The enterprising house of J. C. Merrill d
Co. was let into the scheme; and at last Mr..
Stevens wished to use some ready money.
Perhaps dim visions Of a future agency, bet
ter than the expiring line of San Francisco
and Honolulu packets, flashed across the
beaming faces of the members Of the above
named unsuspecting establishment. How
ever that may be, Mr. Stevens gave draft
on George Seely, the agent Of the steamship
company at Panama, and obtained from J. c.
Merrill & Co. the sum Of $500 The draft
went to Panama, and Stevens went overland
TO New York The draf came back protest
ed, Mr. seely informing the holders that
Stevens had no funds there, and no authority
to draw upon the company for any sum what
ever.
The police Of New York were posted on
the circumstances Of the case, and few days
since they arrested Mr.. Stevens at the Aston
House, and a requisitiOn was sent from the