The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-06-07
The Government.

Inc government OF INC lsllDts uillcE IiS
former chiefs and kings, was despOtic. The will
OF the king was the law of the subject. But
although the government was arbitrary. 1t is be-
licved that generally it was mild III its admins
tratiOn.
Kamehameha I. a ruler as proved by his career,
of great ability, though uncultivated - COM
menced his reign in the latter part of the last
century, as chief of Il district embracing about
one-fourth Of the Island of Hawaii. BY treaty
and conquest be subiugated the rest of the chief
doms Of that island, and in the same manner con-
tinued to make accessions 10 his dominions, until
he had consolidated the whole group into one
sovereignty. with him as it's ruler.
1t is generally conceded that he reigned wisely,
seeking the good of the people according to his
views, as well rs the consolidation of his own
power. lie died in 1919, whilst the first mission
aries Of the y. B.. &. F.. VI. were on their way
from Boston TO the islands. His successor. ka-
mehameha ii. distinguished himself by the over
throw Of idolatry, by breaking the religious pro-
hihition forbidding the men TO eat with the
women. No doubt taught by foreigners residing
with him not to fear evil results, be made Il feast
and sat nj the table with his wives and others
seeing no evil follow, did so likewise. But some
chiefs and priests, dissenting, raised a rebellion.
\ battle was fought, and the impious king was
victorious. Thenceforward idolatry was forbidden
by law; and to worship idols was the symbol OF
rebellion. In November, 1898, the king, in COM
pliance with an invitation received from the
master Of a British whaleship, with his ~iavorite
vile and n NAL retinue, embarked for England.
lie was received by the king with respect and
consideration; but both he and his wife soon sick
ened of the measles and died. Their remains
were returned TO the islands by the government
in the frigate Blonde, Lord Byron commanding,
which reached Honolulu in May, 1926. Kaahu-
manu-, the favorite wife Of Kamehameha l. and
guardian OF the young king, still in his minority,
became resent,-as she had really been the ruler
from the departure of the late king for England.
Dying in 1892, she was succeeded by her daugh-
ter, kinau, in the regency; until in 1883, the
king, attaining majority, entered upon the duties
of his Office. He chose Kinau, the former regent
and his halfsister. as his premier; who, dying in
1889, was succeeded in the premiership by Re
kauluohi 1.-THE mother of William L~unalilo, the
present king,) who died in 1S45.
Eamehameha Ill. died in December, 1854. He
first gave 4 constitution TO his people. The first
declaration Of rights was drawn up by Mr.. Rich
ards in 1899; and the first constitution and laws
from the same pen-appeared in 1910. In
1852, one still more complete, prepared by a COM
mittee, of whom Chief Justice Lee was chairman,
passed the Legislature, and received the royol
signature. Alexander Liholiho, the youngest son
of Kinau, succeeded to the throne under the name
of Kamehameha ". He died in November.
1868, and was succeeded by his brother, Lot Ka-
mehameha, under the title of kamehameha V.
He died on the 18th of December, 1872; and as
he named no successor, the present King was
elected January 8, 1878. by the legislature con-
vened for that purpose, according to the prOvi-
sion of the constitution. He Is q half-eousin of
the late king.
Arrival of Missionaries.