The New York herald., 1874-11-29

Sketch OF King David Kalakaua, the
Royal Visitor to tho United States
Object Of His Journey to Washingt0n-
Reciprocity and Commerce.
King David Ka!akaua, whose arrival of San
Francisco Is announced in the above despatch,
succeeded TO tho throne Of the Sandwich Islands
on the 18th Of last February. He visits this coun-
try on the special invitation OF our government,
which places ar his service the irigate Benicia to
perform the trip from Honolulu. 1t Is his intention
to reach Washington as soon as possible; but, in
order to avoid the severity Of the winter. 1t
Is probable he Will extend his journey to Europe.
King Kaakaua succeeded King Lunalllo, whose
brief reign only extended q little over twelve
months. Before reaching the throne Kalakaua,
who was Q high chief, was Commander OF the
Royal Guards and member OF the House OF
Mobiles He is we'll educated, speaks English
nuently and Ia Of polished manners and bearing.
He is In important respects contrast to his pre-
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, prudent, OF marked strength
OF mind and clearness OF thought He has already
instituted many reforms, and devotes himself
with earnestness to promote the happiness OF
his subjects. When Kamehaneha v. died,
In December, 1872 he urged his claims
to the succession. and was supported by
. considerable portion OF the population so deter
mtnedy that fears were entertained OF serious re-
suits. But Lunalllo appealed to . pleDlscitum,
which turned out In his favor and the Legislature
confirmed the decision OF the people. Neverthe-
less, Kalakaua issued strong appeal and advised
that no attention be given to the call for vote.
Il was In the ancient Hawaiian dramatic style Of
language and alluded to the influence OF foreigners
over the government and consequent danger of
THE TRANSFER or TIN SOVEREIGNTY
OF the islands to the United States. He promised
to repeal all personal taxes. to put only natives
into government oflices and closed with the battle
song OF the conqueror OF the group. A legislature
specially called for the purpose elected Kaiakaua
King on the death OF Lunalllo, but the former
found In the widowed Queen Emma, competitor
for the throne, who seemed resolved to
push her claims to the utmost extent re-
gardless OF consequences. The contest was
fierce and each was backed BY o strong
body of retaincrs. There were doubts as TO Queen
Emma acquiescing In the result; and 1t turned
out that her followers enraged ut her defeat, at
taoxed and set FIRE to the House Of Assembly. A
party OF marines from American and English
men-of-war landed and dispersed the rioters and
extinguished the flames. The new King. our visi-
tor did not for some time consider bis person rec
IRON danger. and rumored threats OF outbreaks
circulated frequently. The continual presence
Of United States fieate at Honolulu added to the
feeling of security and kept in restraint all DIS
posed to turb1lance. Matters have recently
quieted down. and. as will pc seen, Queen Emma
to disturb the established government.
OBJECT OF THE ROYAL VISIT.
The great object OF the Kings visit to the United
States Is to aid in the negotiation OF reciprocity
treaty. 1t Is considered In Honolulu that the pres
ent seems TO be more opportune time than on
any previous occasion to effect such an arrange
ment which. 1t ls believed on all side, viii be OF
the greatest advantage to every part OF the
turned to the subject BY the recent discussion on
the Canada treaty. and the section OF the onion
now calling iOr that treaty will be more likely
a Rtuatllr treaty with Hawaii than IL ne
Dominion question OF reciprocity was not up for
approval. The planters and foreign residents In
the Islands desire reciprocity with the United
states. and In 1856, 1867 and 1869 unsuccessful
attempts. were made to bring it about. More
River Harbor, six miles from Honolulu,
as an inducement to our government
s suia aa Major SG0e % d Hs
Alexander, United states engineers, proceeded
last year from San Francisco to the islands,
and made survey OF the territory aud port in
question. A bill recently passed the Assembly, in.
tended to authorize the King and his Ministers to
tunty oers, without reerence to the Legislative
Assembly. provision Of the Hawaiian constitu-
tiOn makes 1t necessary tnat any treaty
AFFECTING THE TARIFF
shall be passed upon by the Assembly before 1t can
be binding. The anxiety to have such treaty
voted Tor the bill. although warned tnat It con-
nlcted with the constitution. King David when
to act as he deems best, and Whatever arrange.
meDt he may succeed In making VIII, no DOUBT
be ratified by legal authorities In his own COun-
try. The islands lie several hundred miles south
OF the commercial route between San Francisco
and China and japan. They are q STATION ior the
English line of steamers from California to the
Fiji Islands and Australia. The most important
product is sugar, the greatest portion OF the crop
In 1873 having gone TO Melbourne and sydney,
tween Honolulu and San Francisco from 1853 to
1879 including freight, passage money and caFg0es,
amounted to $40, OOO, ,000 American duties on sugar
exported reached $225. 900, and other commodities
$4,000, amounting to $500, 900 annually. The I'm
ports from the United States In 1873 exceeded
$l,Oo0,O00. They consisted chiefly OF manufactured
goods lumber cured meats, breadstuns and
groceries. The amount OF sugar sent TO San
Francisco Increased from 2S2, 900 pounds
in 1853 to 15,500,000 pounds in 1872 The
total export In 1873 was 23.129,0 900 pounds.
the most melancholy feature In the con-
dition OF the Hawaiian kingdom is the rapid
disappearance OF the native population. When
first visited by Captain COOK they numbered
100000. BY the Official census OF January, 1878,
there remained only One-eighth OF the people.
The figures are Natives, 5l,5U0; Chinese, 1850;
Americans, 800; all other nations, l,67O children
OF foreign parents born IN Hawaii $50. The debt
OF the Hawaiian Kingdom IS $355,000.
THE TWO KAMEHAMEHAS IN NEW YORK.
Two young princes, Alexander Lunailo and Lot
Kamehamena. WHO afterwards occupied the throne
or the Hawaiian kingdom as Kamehameha Nv. and
Kamehameha ", arrived in the city OF New York
IN charge OF MIR. Judd, the American Minister, on
the 7th Decemoer, 1S4e. They came by way OF san
Francisco and the Istnmus Of Panama. The young
men were brothers, aged respectively sixteen
and seventeen years, ana were adopted
sons OF the reigntng monarch. Tney are