The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1888-05-09
SANDWICH ISLANDS HISTORY.
How an American Commercial Firm
suffered at the Hands of the Ha-
V.iiaa Government
springfield Republican, April 4th.I

Springfield Republican, April 4th.1
To the Editor of the ''Republican":
In the year 1843 the British sloop-of-war
Carysfort, commanded by Lord George
Paulet, entered the harbor of Honolulu
and anchored directly opposite and close
to the Kings home A warp was taken
out astern with kedge and the ships
broadside made to bear on the house.
An officer was Immediately sent ashore
and instant redress demanded for alleged
wrongs to British subjects. Lord George
seized the Islands; but his violent acts
were soon disowned by his Government.
This speedy release of the Hawaiian flag
was largely owing to the efforts in
Europe of Mr.. Marshall, merchant of
Honolulu, who was materially aided by
z. A. Brnsmade of che firm of Laid &
Co., OF Hawaii, the American CONNER
cial house long established in Hawaii,
and whose financial ruin by the govern
ment of the Sandwich Islands | will now
relate.
About the above period the French
were violently threatening Hawaii, and
there was great probability that they
would send naval force and take the
islands. One pretext was that the au-
tlorities under the influence of the
American missionaries had enacted
stringent laws against the introduction
of French brandy and kindred infu-
his squadron was prowling about. He
did about that time take violent posses
sion of Tahiti, one of the Society group.
A well-grOunded fear of French schemes
possessed King Kamehameha Ill, the
native Chiefs and their principal conf
Dental adviser. When the French in
vason seemed imminent, great gather
ing of the King, his Minister and the ma
tive Chiefs, assembled at Lahaina to
discuss plans for protection against for
eign aggression. William Ladd & Co.
were firm Of highly respectable Amer
lean merchants III Honolulu, having
large interests in the various islands,
and holding from the government on a
lease OF fifty years a magnificent planta-
lion at Ko,oa. Laid & Co wished to Sc
cure wider area of sugar lands. Their
great energy and enterprise were known
to the King and his government. 1t
would seem that some proposition from
Laid & Co. had been made previously
to the authorities for a long lease of all
the unoccupied lands of the island. 1t
was concluded that if bona fide lease
for 100 years were made with citizens
of the United States of all the best lands
of the islands, then the French would be
diverted from the Hawaiian group in
their Quixotic crusade around the Pacific
the high Chiefs approved the making of
such contract and then and there
passed an enabling act.
A covenant was entered into with that
American commercial firm of William
Laid & Co. on the oath of November, |
l841, by King Kamenameha III. and |
the high Chieftainess Kehauluohi. 1t |
for 100 years to Laid & Co. |
and their assigns, the use of all unoccu.
pied lands of all the islands suitable for |
raising coffee, sugar and other products |
Many great privileges and also sovereign |
rights were also granted. William Laid |
ceed to the United States or Europe and |
secure proper agricultural colonists and
and also the necessary work
ng capital. They further covenanted
% make large developments annually of
he lands. P. A. Brinsmade, one of the
irm of Laid & Co., and acting for that
irm, proceeded to Europe for the capital
md colonists. Mr.. Richards, a mission
try and confidential friend of the King,
md Haallio, native Chief, also went
o Europe on special diplomatic errand
or the Kings government, who fully
them also to act with Mr..
3rinsmade in assigning the 100 years
ease to financial syndicate to secure
he colonists and machinery
They arrived in Belgium syndi-
ate of rich capitalists and powerful men
vas organized. The agents of the two
PARTIES of Laid & Co. and the Hawaiian
government laid their plans and powers
before the syndicate. The powers were
ubmitted to Belgian lawyers and pro-
lounced satisfactory. A contract was +
made with that syndicate by the said
gents of Ladd & Co. and the Hawaiian
government covering that lease of 100
ears, with all its rights and privileges
he syndicate covenanting to furnish the
ecessary capital colonists and ma
hinery; and also to pay Laid & Co. for
aid lease, over 100000 cash and to
i've them large block of the stock of
he new Belgian company. The par of
bat StOcE waS O0O francs O. Co~rIor