The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1880-12-04
CORRESPONDENCE.

We are not responsible for opinions expressed by cor
respondents, our columns being open to all for the dis
cussion of public affairs from every point of view.
Correspondents will please observe that all letters
must be authenticated by the names of the writer's, not
necessarily for publication, but as q guarantee of good
faith.
To the Editor Of TIE Pacific Commercial Advertiser
SIR,-I have read, in your two previous issues,
articles on the question Of immigration, signed
respectively by "One Who Knows " and "X. Y. T."
Although 1 do not care to enter into q newspaper
controversy on the matter, 1 feel, as my name has
been mentioned disposed to make your correspondents
some reply, and l beg therefore q short space in
your columns.
AS regards my reports, which used to appear in
the public papers. 1 may state that they appeared in
print not 80 much at my own request, but by the
unanimous consent and desire of the members Of
the Board Of Immigration. 1 was always careful to
omit nothing in such reports of what occurred during
my voyages, and the places visited by me. with the
results of those visits. 1 was particular also in re-
porting the quantity of supplies I obtained at the
different places touched at. and 1 see that, on refer
ring to my old cash account, the sum Of $4,000 is
about the actual amount of disbursements for the
first three cruises of the Stormbird-that is to say,
disbursements whilst away cruising. or about 81
pei Nat ~ WV OhOo6hh NoiAhk hhOsC
enthusiastically not a great amount.
Why reports Of the doings of our immigrant ves-
sells have of late not been made public 10 not
a question for me to answer. Upon my arri-
val at Honolulu in December Of last year,
in the bark Hawaii, L most certainly presented Mr..
Wilder with q full report of everything that occurred
on board the Stormbird up to the date of my resign
ing command Of her at Jaluit, and it is quite true
What 81 v V To atafpa that a dunlieafa NJ snoh
report is in my pOssession-Q have bee1Strained in
early life always to keep copies of all official corre-
s~pOndence it is wise to do so)-but / cannot. Of
course, comply with the request Of "One Who
Knows" in making any document I possess public.
unless in the proper course.
1 most certainly possess much information las '.One
Who Knows states) about matters connected with
immigration from the South Sea Islands ; but % I
am not now in that branch of the Government SER
vice, 1 do not care to move any more in the matter.
There are many islands in the Pacific (besides the
Kingsmill Islands), from whence . good number Of
people could be obtained, and from one group Of
islands in particular where the natives are equal. if
not superior, in physique to the present generation
of Sandwich Islanders. 1t WAS my intention, had 1
remained in the Stormbird, to have worked some of
these islands but 1 did not remain in the Storm
bird. so there is an end Of the matter.
As to where these other immigrants could have
been obtained, that is my business. 1 should, how
ever, have no objection to give every assistance and
advice to any proper person seeking such in Q
proper and straightforward manner.
As to why our immigrant vessels have Of late not
been SO successful as might have been expected /
think is a question what most Of Us have en- opinion
about. have my own opinions on the matter, but
I do not care to express them and I think. under
present circumstances. it would be very much out Of
place to do so.
/ think 9 One Who Knows" 10, however, very
right in saying that o proper inquiry should be
Instituted by the Board Of immigration" with q
view Of getting all the information they can about
South Sea labor ; it would be q very wise course,
and they would probably get hold of facts Of which I
know they have at present very little knowledge.
The suggestion of i" One Who Knows Of putting
the right men in The right place is very good. 1
might add q little more, and say When in the
right place, make IL Of sufficient indueemsnt 10 keep
there. am, Sir, yours, &C.,
GEORGE E. GREsLEY JACKSON.
Navigating Lieutenant, R.N. (retired).
December 2. 1880.