Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-12-23
KING OF THE CASNIBAL ISLANDS.
KaIakaua's History as Told by His
4AA A.a444ts Cousin.

In the year 1921 the whale-ship In
dependence, from New Bedford, Mass,
foundered in the Pacific Ocean, and all
on board perished with the exception
of four sailors, who made their escape in
boat, which, after tossing many days
on the boundless deep. at last reached
the Sandwich Islands, then in state Of
semi.barbarism, that being about the
time of the first appearance OF Christian
missionaries there. One of these sea-
men was fine looking, stalwart young
man from Barnstable, and in the strange
land upon which he was cast up from the
waste of waters at once engaged in such
pursuits as vivscious disposition and
true Yankee genius discovered, both for
employment and livelihood. He soon
succeeded, ana in year or two after
making his involuntary settlement
among the Kanakas had the extraordin-
ary fortune OF marrying the daughter and
sole princess Of the monarch then on the
throne of the island. This royal damsel
had fallen in love with the wrecked
mariner, proposed wedlock in right
oueenly style, which the young New
Englander accepted for the reason that
the King ordered him to do so, or have
his head chopped off. Being son-in law,
and recognized as a member of the
dynasty, our hero adapted himself to
the dignity Of prince consort. and from
| this remarkable union issued the present
King of the Sandwich Islands. the only
surviving son of Massachu setts man,
out of a large family, The anne kala-
kaua denotes the origin as the sovereign,
and translated means safe journey
or "God speed, referring TO the escape
of his immediate ancestor from the
perils OF the wave as related above.
Depressing from the general narrative
here. we will mention that the father OF
our august visitor, notwithstanding bis
ilIustrious alliance, had never forgotten
his home in the distant republic; but
day after day and month after moHth
looked out from the portico of his pal.
ace for the friendly canvas and flag OF
his native land, but five and twenty
years Of weary watching were endured
before the keel of an American ship
elided into the Island harbors When
this did take place the Yankee prince,
yearning for the scenes and associations
Of youth, one night deserted rank, wife
and children, jumped into the sea which
quarter of century before had cast
him up caked to become the progenitor
of kingly line, and sailed away for the
shores Of Narragansett After long
VOYAGE Barnstable was again Wis
| tied, but all had changed. Leaving |
there in sunny youth, the traveller |
now found that the few remaing &C
ouaintances of the past had died, de-
parted to other places, or had grown
gray and forgCtful of the time when all
were boys at school together. 1t was a |
mistake 10 return; for the heart could |
not give up its love for the wife and chill |
dren of more than score OF years In
the far of islands of the Pacific. The |
| longings of the wanderer and his loneli. |
ness were intoIerable. He then once
more looked for the speedy bark to carry |
him back to his only home, and waited
three years before an opportunity came.
Then he sailed away forever. In le4I
the whaler Thomas Jefferson, from New
London, Conn, was fishing in the Pacific, |
Meeting a school OF leviathans, the
crew prepared for action, and among the
| parties sent out from the ship to operate
against the monsters OF the deep the
prince was one first to volunteer in the
hazardous duty. As has often happened,
the boat Of the harpooners was demol-
ished by q wounded and infuriated whale,
several of the men, including the father
of Kalakaus, perishing IN the disaster.
| That was the end OF our hero's 70
mantle career. The balance of this
interesting story may be stated briefly.
| When the New Englsnder fed
from the Sandwich Islands his spouse
mourned for the customary period, but
| girief did not cause her to neglect the
grave RESPONSIBILITIES Of widowhood. |
| She gave her children the best education
the islands afforded, and David being the
/ favorite, though not the eldest son. was
sent 10 San Francisco TO study politics
and finances. His mother also directed
i him 10 visit the home of his father and
kindred, but the young man, for some
reason satisfactory TO himself, did not
then 10 10 Barnstable. BE will do 90
now. however, after FIRST concluding his
| official interview with the President OF
the United States. Thus we have an
easy solution OF the friendship Of this
monarch for our country and instltu
tions.
For this interesting narrative We are
indebted 10 q coRsin Of His Majesty,
residing in this city, Major -, well
known in mining circles, who, with the
exception Of being few years older, is
said 70 resemble the King IN remark
able degree. Their fathers were broth.
ers, born aud reared in the good old State
lof Massachusetts.