The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1874-05-27

the King would be deposed in twenty-four hours II
it was not granted. Aad on the following day ac-
cordingly they kept their promise. Now however
they were accompanied BY & large number OF the
residents Of Leyuka. Many OF these not antcipat-
ing anything serious attracted by idle curiosity
The Kings advisers BY this time were prepared Tor
their reception and is wonderful that great
slaughter did not ensue An outpost consisting of
the Kings Private Secretary, and small guard
(native) was detached at about hundred yards from
the government buildings, and on the arrival OF the
mob they were told that only deputation Of two
or three persons could be permitted to approach
His Majesty. The leaders of the mob, or rather
those most determined QOr the real inciters kept
back in terror, when they saw guard stationed TO
prevent their approach rushed this front guard and
drove it back; then appeared a large number OF
Fjiaus who called out for the whites to retire. and
then commenced violently putting them back by
the butt ends of their nuskets. general melee en-
sued from which the whites made a very hasty re-
treat The foremost of the politicians rushed madly
back to Levuka, in the greatest CONSERVATION The
stampede OF whites was general and ridiculous.
1t is wonderful, as have said, that some dire re-
suit did not from this outrageous attempt TO
menace rightfnl sovereign in his very place OF habi-
tation But the natives behaved with extraordinary
tole-atlon. From amongst the whites three shots,
(he only ones fired) were discharged, and one ma
tive soldier was severely wounded. Still the latter
made no deadly assault bu. contented themselves
with keeping back the refractory foreigners And
retired so soon as the whites disappeared.
The determination of this absurd manifestation
was great triumph for Ministers II was seen that
the government were prepared 10 stamp out IeOei-
lion from amongst foreign residents. And were
determined that the law should prevail. a signit-
cant peace followed.
should now mention that in the month of Janu-
airy, 1875 Mr.. Thurston, Chief Secretary, in con-
sequence of an outcry for annexation, had written
to Lord Granville Her Britannia Majesty's Secretary
Of State in London, stating that the Fijian Govern
ment would be prepared 10 treat with the English
Government upon terms that might be agreed on,
at least to listen through the Kings Ministers TO
any proposals England might make with reference
thereto. Aud shortly after the disturbance have
mentioned II. b. NJ. 5. Pearl arrived in Levuka, and
Mr. Edgar Leopold Layard soon followed, being
commissioned by the Queen, with Commodore JAS
G. Goodenough OF the Pearl, to inquire into and
port upon the matter. The British Government
were no doubt impelled TO this by the AntiSavery
party of Exeter Hail. the most exaggerated reports
having reached England of the slavery that it was
alleged was going on here. Reports would here
say more than eXaggerated-in mauy instances made
by interested parties for base moiye,-and utterly
false.
The arrival of the Royal Commissioner was hailed
by the whites generally, of whatever nation with
great satisfaction. The annexation cry was re-
echoed with increased energy. The opponents of
the Fijian Government saw it in ready weapon, if
il could be found plant enough, to overthrow the
Kings Ministers. Calumny of the most outrageous
character freely disseminated against them,
which found publication in local Journal the Fiji
Times. And as Commodore Goodenough kept aloof
from Ministers, and it leaked out that his sympa-
thies were against them, great was the rejoicing of
tanty to their reduction.
But Commodore Goodenough, who is a gentle
man Of great ability, appears to have been very
chary of trcspassing upon the limits of information
al law. He Kept his " Haleck" in constant occu-
patton. And much as he evidently desired, and Ill
imately succeeded in obtaining offer of cession
from the King, he never permitted it to be in
fcrred that the country would be wrested from the
native population, or that the British flag would be
hoised here unless with their full and free concur
renee. In fact in conjunction with the British Con-
sui, to that effect he issued proclamation. And
this proclamation was printed in the Fijian well
as English language. Moreover in Her Majesty's
ship he visited all the Islands taking with him ma
tive interpreter who well known TO the chiefs,
aud who perhaps not very favorable to the local
government. Wherever they could be held there
were meetings OF both natives aud whites. The
Commodores mission was effectuay promulgated
And it believed that all the natives of any weight
were favorable to annexation by England.
In the meantime, the King with the advice of
Ministers had requested assemblage of all the /
chiefs at Bau, island almost considered sacred
His Majesty, and where is the royal residence The
ostensble object of that meeting being determine
what course should be adopted, and whether the /
country shouG be ceded not. Thther in Febru- |
airy all repaired and it being ntimated to Commo /
dorc Goodenough that the Fian people would there
give him their ultimatum in Her Maestys ship, and
accompanied by the British Consul, to that royal I
residence he went And am bound TO say, that at |
this time, such untirng eXertiOus having been made
10 that end every one (tOreiguers) religlously be-
lieved that annexation TO England was fat .
aec0mpi:
rive fud this article so lengthy, that we are com
PEELED to defer the remainder till next issue Ed.
GAzETTE.l