The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-06-20
Another Rumor as to His Business
in America.
A CLAIM FOB A MILLION DOLLARS.
a Preposterous Story Recently Pub
lished in tho New York Herald-A
Fairy Tale About the Early Mission
aries that Smacks of RoyaIist Origin.

The following rich and rare gem
Of fairy lore was published recent
ly in the New York Herald. 1t will
prove interesting reading for many
people.
A racy chapter of half forgotten Ha-
waiian history is likely to cause sem
sation in the United States, and particu-
larry in the ranks of the American Board
OF Foreign Missions, within the next
three months. 1t is nothing less than
the fling of claim for 81 O00, COO against
the United States Government. The
claim is based on alleged robberies by
the missionaries of 1926, led by Hiram
Bingham and abetted by Captain Jones
and his men, of the United States sloop-
of-war Peacock.
The story of how the poor natives were
compelled at the lannon's mouth to
raise property worth 81 900, 900 for those
who came in the name of Christ to save
their souls is like chapter from the his
tory of buccaueering in the days of
Spanish hupfeLDdCH. 1H0 mSSSdSo Dtdi-
ere f 1926 were not so davout as to
train their minds wholly on spiritual
things, for some were shrewd traders.
In their strange dual capacity of half
priest and half Yankee trader they car
ried large stock of looking glasses and
email hand mirrors, bunnets and cloth
ing from ancient and shop worn st cks
in Boston. the natives bought freely Of
these wares, and when the early chiefs
hesitated OH account of hard times they
were charitably given unlimited credit.
SOME AsTUTE TRADERS.
Though they know nothing about the
devouring principle OF compound inter-
est they hesitated TO accept credit, but
were finally coaxed TO buy the goods
offered lest their refusal to purchase be-
construed as an insult to their ingenious
visitors. In buying Christian goods at
the prices current in early church circles
they be ieved they were pleasing the
Lord. Later they We're surprised by
demand for immediate payment in sand
al wood, which then brought very high
prices In China. They were by this time
hopeless,y involved TO the extent of
nearly 81 100000 indebte ness. The
chief items were looking glasses. which
were sold for sums ranging from $50 to
$1,000 each. The smallest hand mirrors
brought $3.50, and it is said it was a fad
In 1926 Tor every young buck Kanaka to
buy each OF his swevthearts-all had
several hand mirror. There WAS no
excuse for non-complianc1swiih the Gus
tom, because the Hawaiian lassies knew
that the message bearers refused credit
10 none.
took the people one bright morning. in
limo 1903 rrhau tho war llpop paun, nh
arrived in Hawaiian waters. They had
seen war ships before. but none had ever
come save on a friendly mission. The
unexpected arrival of the Peacock excit-
ed the native curiosity, The more
particularly because its commander
was often seen in elise consulta ion
with Hiram Bingham, Hunnewell
and company and other missionaries.
Finally some of the chiefs were sum-
moned before Commander j mes, of the
Peacock. who Questioned them severely
as to WY their PEI pie had not paid for
goods sold and delivered to them by the
missionaries. Hiram Bingham Was the
interpreter for the Commander, and
though he wrote an extended history OF
the Hawaiian Islands he nowhere in any
manner hints at the remarkable claim OF
million dollars which was collected at
the bayonet's point.
HOW THE CLAIMS WERE COLLECTED.
After the taking of brief amount o.
ex parte evidence Commander Jones
concluded that the claims were all Just,
and he sent King Kanehameha word
that the sum must be paid or he would
enforce it in the name of the United
States. In reporting the matter to Hon
Ogden Hoffman. who was then in Con-
press. Commander Jones said in 1888
We compelled the natives to pay nearly