The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1872-11-06

American citizens in these islands (the Malay
Archipelago,) in the future, your Committee
have deemed it advisable to present brief state,
ment of the geography, commercial history,
productions, resources, and population of this
interesting portion Of the globe.
1t is important to a settlement of the questions
at issue that the House should understand the
magnitude of the principles involved :
The whole area Of the islands and inland seas
is equal in extent to the surface Of the United
States and Territories, and contains population
of 27OOO,OOO nov about 35OO0000) Of souls.
The general productions of these
islands are spices drugs, gums, fancy and dye
woods gold, silver, tin, iron, anthony, and dia-
monds. Coal to supply the world exists on the
larger islands, and there are innumerable products
to supply vast commerce.
The immense wealth of the Archipelago has
been boarded for ages. European and American
enterprise required to put in active exercise its
productive faculties The Archipelago contains
laborers sufficient if their labor is intelligently
directed, to put in motion the machinery of o
vast commerce Its political end social organiza-
ton is such that it may become, under proper
control an important instrument in opening their
ample resources.
The native population is predisposed to friendly
intercourse with civilized nations, notwithstand-
ing the unfavorable view of civilization that has
been presented TO them by the Dutch colonial
system. The policy of the Dutch has been to
rspress production everywhere, where it would
not result in their immediate profit, in order to
secure monopoly of traffic to their own limited
possessions. They have as far as possible shut
out the Archipelagian from contact with eniiglt-
ened races. Every art has been employed to
exclude Europeans and Americans from these
fields. The violent proceedings instituted against
Mr.. Gibson is only one of the many methods
adopted for this purpose"
This report was highly approved of by Senator
Wilson, of Massachusetts, and by him presented
to the Senate in an earnest speech. There was,
at the time the liveest interest felt in endeavor-
ing to establish a direct commercial intercourse
with the Archipelago. and bill proposing to
provide for a Commissioner to make treaties
with the native princes of Malaysia passed the
House Of Representatives and only failed in the
Senate by very close vote. This report points
out to us the existence Of numerous races, almost
as distinct in character as the various races of
Europe, and many who are evidently adapted to
our needs OF labor and population.
The Dyaks, though as savage as the FJans,
have been found susceptible of training, and have
proven, where tested, very docile, and capable of
systematic labor.
The Bughis, of CeIebes, surpass all other
Asatics, not excepting Chinese, in mechanical
skill especially in shipbuilding; and hundreds of
vessels of their construction enter
the port of Singapore every year.
The races of the Banda Sea are careful agri-
and supply all the labor in producing
the chief portion of the spices which supply the
world.
The Javans we know, can not be surpassed as
4 peasantry, for docility and industry.
The people of Lingen. Mas, and other small,
oOpulous islands, contain people of the same
character, and as the chiefs of these small States
nave frequent intercourse with Singapore, there
would be great facility afforded at that point to
enter into negotiations that would enable us to
procure the laborers and people we may desire
rom the Archipelago.
But as we are not going to direct our efforts
n that quarter at present, it may be asked in
what respect does this report concern US, and
Why have called attention to it. 1t points out
o us an important Oceanic neighbor, about
whom We have hitherto felt no interest whatever
t indicates the likelihood of important relations
'etween the Great Republic aud the Great
Archipelago. Our little Archipelago may become
he pioneer and first intermediary for this inter-
curse In our attempt to procure the races we
Tant We will, no doubt, open up for ourselves
nd the United States an important trade in
heir products. Why should not we be origin
tors in new fields of enterprise? Need the
oorness of our country impoverish our thought?
)ur territory, our population, and our present
interests are sufficiently small to be compact,
nd welded with unanimity in the march Of
ioSiSSo' Ooi ittoitiiSSS yes US " CO-OpeIdte.
'ut may say that though our commencement
{ enterprise may be small, and any company
'e may organize, and any fund we may provide
lay be Insignificant, yet they will be as large as
he first efforts which laid the foundations Of
,nglish and Dutch East India Companies, and
Their great enterprises of the commercial world
In contemplating the foundation of the Eng
sh East India Company, and the first feeble
forts of few merchants Of London. we notice
circumstance that presents very interesting
ontnst to our minds. The first adventurers
ere furnished with letter Of credence purport-
lg to be written by the authority of Queen
Elizabeth, but which probably she never saw, and
new nothing about, which was addressed to the
ultan of Acbin, in the Island Of Sumatra, in /
hich the English Sovereign entreated the Malay
otentate to grant his protection to her poor
objects in their humble enterprise in the East /
ndies. After lapse of years there is still
ultan Of Achin but be was a Midshipman in
lie service of the successors of the English
company, receiving his education at their port of
bombay, and his State is now most insignificant
,eck in contrast with The mighty political do
ain founded by the humble traders who sought
is ancestors protection.