The Hawaiian gazette., 1912-01-16

I ~ NNM NNNM NH NNNN NN"N WN"N'NNN+I
with Palmyra 70 WA different, in
The late 500 u WAS taken possession
Of by two natufaliEod cliifens Of Ha.
wnii-suhiouts, NJ yon pieA-c, of Hh.
Il vail king and in ihe year ts09 these
men, Captain lrnas Bent and Captain
J. a. Wilkinson, came 60 Honolulu and
pciitinned the Hawaiian government
to extend its sovereignty over their
property.
Pursuant to this request cabinet
meeting was Mt once called, tho matter
gravely considered, and the petition An.
ally granted Thereupon a formal com.
mission was executed In which CaptainI
Bent and wilkinson we're fully author.
lied 10 take possession Of the island
In the name of the Hawaiian monarchy.
The King, Kamehameha ~, signed
this royal commission and sent the cap.
tains back to Palmyra, accompanied by
a number Of other citizens. Specific
instructions as to what they should do
were given them by Kamehameha and
his ministers
Captain Bent, who was the leader
Of the party, and presumably the prin-
cipal owner Of the island, landed there
again in the year 1862 and at once
raised a monster flag pole within the
fine harbor, and from this was flung
to the breeze the royal Hawaiian colors;
while upon the pole was affixed n pro-
clamation Of Kamehameha w., declar-
ing that the island had been taken pos
session of in the name of the Kingdom
of Hawaii and that thereafter it was
to be regarded as part of his domin-
ions.
Vbis box,;nr, haav ocoor,plisbad as n.
dered, Captain Bent returned to Homo
lulu, leaving number of men behind
in possession.
He informed the King Immediately
upon his arrival here of his action, and
proclamation was issued giving notice
to all the world that Palmyra Island
having been formally annexed, was
thereafter TO be regarded as part and
parcel of Hawaiian territory.
Again returning to the South Seas
Captains Bent and wilkinson continued
the Improvements they had begun years
before. A fishing station of consider
able pretentions was erected, with cur
ing houses and wharves. A kiln for the
proper drying and finishing Of native
woods was also built, and in this lat
ter much lumber of a kind resembling
koa, was handled and cured. None Of
these original buildings now remain,
but newer and better ones have taken
their places.
The little group, for, as before stated,
Palmyra is not single island but a
number of small islands forming an
elongated horseshoe, in the center of
which is a splendid harbor with han.
ldred feet Of water, presented beauti.
full sight to the settlers, and it was
early decided that the native woods
were of much value. Cocoanuts, pan.
danus and the tree resembling koa grew
Yin profusion, and more lovely aggre-
CATION of islets could scarcely be found
, in any ocean. While the exact number
of islands in the group is not known
here, as the charts vary somewhat, il
is believed there are thirty-four in tht
: group. Still all charts and document,
appear to refer to them as Palmyra Isl
/ and and later geographical maps give
Fhe group the single name.
That the United States had its eye
upon the little wave-washed territory
as far back as 1874 is known by the
fact that in that year, following order
from Washington, Captain Skerrett in
, command of the American man-of.waI
Portsmouth, visited the island and made
an extended survey with measurements
: soundings, elevation and SO forth. He
did not know, nor did his government
, Rt that time known, that Palmyra was
Hawaiian territory; but, learning that
it was, the American authorities refus
ed to further molest or notice the place
: and Hawaii s right 20 own and contro
t it was not disputed. On the other hand
the action of the United States was 6
, plain confirmation of Hawaiian sOver
(eignty.
} If Great Britain makes a pretense OF
any authority IN the little group it il
based solely upon the visit of British
! warship in lS97-the year before Pal
! myra, along with all the other domain
of the Republic of Hawaii became ar
integral part of the American NatIor
: and British naval surveyors worked
some weeks upon the harbOr and this
shore lines. But the Union Jack wa,
never hOisted, nor did the commander
of the cruiser declare that lie was there
by authority.
AS stated, Palmyra Became an island
property of the United States in 1898
and If John Bull has any htttie account
to settle regarding it he win have tC
, talk TO Washington and not Honol1Et
IA fact that makes a difference Il
John.
As to the private title it has been n
! Hawaiian citizens and corporation
since Kamehameha ~. proclaimed 1t
lpart of his kingdom, half a century ago
1.-THE various deeds and wills handing j
! down or transferring it ane a matte
of record in this city and there is N
lgainsaying the ownership.
But the recently set up' claims o
!. Britishers is of great interest Just 3
: tthis time, since Tanning ISLAND -
|, station of the British cable and whe
a the British admiralty is eonsideTin
!, plans for great coaling static
=, upon II.
Ninety miles away from FaHniag
r., Palmyra Island and Il is doubtly il
{. teresting 20 think that with the Pam
,e ana waterway running full blast Une
!. ram may put a second edition Of Pea