The Hawaiian gazette., 1869-12-01
Fiji Islands.

] amongst I1en were unfortunately luf Ant II
/ jams, sundry American citizens, who were more
| numerous in the group twenty years ago than
they arc at present, and at that time formed
the majority Of the white residents. One Mr.
/ John B. Williams was then American CONSUL
/ in Fiji. and on a certain 4th Of July, while he
was celebrating the national anniversary by
] firing cannon and setting off squibs and crack
ers on an island where he resided, his house
caught fire and was burned. A crowd Of ma
! tives collected. and n considerable amount OF
the Consul's property was stolen. 1t should
/ be mentioned here that these natives belonged
to tribe which was then hostile to Mbau. and
it was not until some years later that Tha-
kOmbau succeeded in bringing it under his sub
lection. Two years after this occurrence, the
United States ship of-war St. Mary's visited
Fiji, and Mr.. Consul Williams made applica-
tion TO the commander for compensation for
his losses, claiming the amount of 5000 dollars
and some odd cents. Captain NOW Admiral)
Magruder was unable TO inquire fully into the
matter, as his time was limited; but on leav-
ing the group be requested the Rev. Mr.. Cal
vert, one of the missionaries. and the United
States Vice-Consul, to examine the claims of
Mr.. Williams, and of certain other American
citizens, preferred against the native chiefs.
These gentlemen were requested to arbitrate in
the matter, and to report their decision to the
At W tuuf d HSll a. " AhS
commander of the next United States ship Wis
iting FIJI. At the end of 1853, the town of
Levuka, in the island of 0valau-whieh has
always been the principle commercial depot,
and the chief place Of residence, of the whites
was destroyed by fire. by the work of an in
cendiary, and further losses were sustained by
the Americans. Public opinion at the time
fixed upon Thakombau as the instgator of the
deed; but to this day it has never been ascer-
tanned whether or not the supposition was cor
rect, and therefore common justice would have
given him the benefit of the doubt. Consul
Williams had. however, a strong personal dis
like to this chief and it suited his purposes to
saddle him with the whole Of the claims against
the natives
In the year 1855. the Commodore command
ing the United States squadron in the Pacific
sent the sloop Of war John Adams, Command
er Z. B. Boutwell,, to the Fiji Islands, to in
quire into the American claims. giving that
officer instructions to pursue his inquiries in a
fair and impartial spirit-"not to take for
granted that all the allegations against the
offenders are true'-and that "a close and
thorough examination, upon the strictest prin-
ciples ofjustce, should be made into every case
for adjustment" These Instructions which
were honorable alike to the Commodore and to
the government he represented. were entirely
Boutwell,. Upon his arrival in Fiji Mr.. al
vert reported to him the decision that he and
the Vice-Consul had come to, in accordance
with Captain Magruder's request, which deci-
sion was somewhat unfavorable to Mr.. Will
Jams claim. In reply, Mr.. Calvert was in
formed that his interference was n niece of
presumption, the Consul and Commander
Boutwell, ''were fully competent to settle all
such affairs without any Of his assistance:"
although the missionary had been specially
requested to do so by Boutwell, superior officer.
Commander Boutwell,, then, acting in conjunc-
ton with Consul WILLIAMSBURG, it must be
remembered, was the principal claimant-and
without making any investigation in the man
ner prescribed by his instructions, proceeded
to inform Thakombau that certain charges had
been made against him Of deSpoiling American
citizens of their property, and required him to
restore the value with interest. and to ask par
don of the American natiunl The following
day, without waiting for reply, another let
ter was sent, demanding payment of 30 900
dollars, or an equivalent in produce, of which
Mr.. Williams was to receive 10 eco dollars, for
loss of property when his house was burned,
and the remainder was to go to various other
United States citizens, in compensation for
losses at the burning of Levuka, and on other
occasions. The Consul's claim had thus, by
original amount. This second letter contained
very vulgar threat, in the event of the claims
not being forthwith settled and it was accom-
panied by document for the chiefs of Mbau |
to sign, acknowledging the justice of the de- |
mand. and promising to pay the amount in |
twelve months. Thakombau was absent nj /
this time, but the chief next in authority ad- |
dressed a respectful remonstrance TO Command |
er Boutwell,, protesting that the island where |
the Consuls house stood was not subject to
Mbau at the time when the affair took place,
that the burning of Levuka was still wrapped !
in mystery, and that they were not accessories
to it. To this humble remonstrance the Com
mander replied by another letter, informing
the chiefs of Mbau that the only answer he
expected to his former demand was one of
compliance, and not letters of explanation.
going on to inform them that he was fully sat-
isiied with the guilt of Thakombau, and again
making peremptory demand for payment.
accompanied with vulgar sarcasm.
just at this time another United States shin
arrived, whose commander was Boutwel's
senior officer. To him Mr.. Calvert, who was
now chairman of the mission, addressed him
self, Informing him Of the rudeness be had
received from Boutwell, in consequences of his
compliance with the request of Captain Ma
gruder. Mr.. Williams, apprehensive that
Commander Bailey might not prove to be such
a stanch supporter Of his interests as his Junior
officer informed him that in his opinion the
matter oughtto be lef: in Boutwell, hands as it
was now in fair train for settlement: and
that any change in the demands upon the ma
tives might be injurious to American citizens 1
Commander Boutwell,, finding that Bailey did
not approve Of his summary proceedings. re-
quoted him to remain in FIJI and settle the
affair himself: to which the latter replied that
Il Boutwell, appeared to be acting in deviation
from his instructions, he should certainly felt
t his duty to remain and settle it, if it were
rot that the Consul had expressed decided
preference for BOutwell's adjustment. He
therefore, left it in his hands. but caution
ID him against the least deviation from {
us instructions, and ordered him ''to af
ord the accused every opportunity, upon
I'll formal occasions, to appear in per
on. well as BIZ respectable counsel. with i
ut regard to their nation or religion" For {
be honor of the American Navy, it is much
o be regretted that Commander Bailey did
lot determine on taking the matter into his L
wn hands; for upon his departure Boutwell, 7
roceeded to carry out these orders after his t
wn peculiar fashion. He summoned Thak {
mbau t. come on board his ship to answer ?
be charges made against him, and appointed !
'Fo Of his own officers to act as arbitrators. i
me of the missionaries was permitted 10 an d
ear as counsel for Thakombau, but was treat I
4 in an insulting manner, and was not al C
WED to call any witnesses to reply to Mr.. C
Villains charges. As a matter of course a
lie arbitrators decided in favor of the claims. c
was not probable that such a man as Com Il
lander Boutwell, had proved himself to be p
ould have suffered his officers to come to any e
her decision in the matter. But it will Il
4 r1Ir hn IL fL.t =.