USA > Hawaii > Honolulu: sketches of life, social, political, and religious, in the Hawaiian Islands from 1828 to 1861 > Part 10
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"It seems that Haalilio died December 3d, two weeks after leaving Boston. He was inclined to pulmonary affections. His health improved as he traveled, and he had borne the cold of the two northern winters, but those November winds off our coast were too much for him. What a pity Mr. Richards could not have sailed earlier. It was the desire of his heart, he said to Mr. R., to see his country once more, to embrace his beloved king and aged mother, then he could die without regret. He was baptized, as he requested, a few days before his death. His last breath was a prayer for his king and country. You, my dear sister, his first instructor, will join us in lamenting his early death, for his sun went down while it was yet day. With our united 'aloha ' to all your beloved household,
"I am yours, etc."
Extracts from the Polynesian :
"In the spring of 1845 a most distressing influenza visited the Islands, prostrating with acute suffering all classes of the population. June 7th, Kekauluohi, the premier, was attacked and died after a short illness.
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" In early life she was betrothed to Pomare, the former king of Tahiti, and had his life been prolonged, it is quite probable she would have been sent to him.
"She was married to Kamehameha 1 .. aichough he was her mother's husband ! And she was afterw .. d. che wife of his son, Kamehameha II.
" As she possessed a retentive merory, she was selected by Kamehameha I. as a repository of ancient lore, which consisted in genealogies, historic legends, song., and proverbs.
" Her education was in the hands of vigorous teachers, who required her close attention many hours a day for several years.
" Kekauluohi was strongly attached to the old feudal customs of the country, but was nevertheless not blind to its evil ten- dencies, and never withheld her consent to the liberal measures of reform, which have of late characterized the government of the Islands.
"She early gave attention to religious instruction, and made a public profession of her faith in Christ in 1828. Having re- ceived a large bequest from her relative, Gov. Adams, of Hawaii, she consecrated one-tenth of it to religious purposes.
" After the departure of Liholiho for England, she was mar ried to Charles Kanaina, and leaves a son ten years old, William Lunalilo, a promising boy and pupil in the Royal School.
" Her father's name was Kalaimamahu, who was the son of Keoua, who was the son of Keeaumaku, who was the son of Keawe.
" Being the last adult member of so high a family and the guar- dian of numerous dependents, she leaves a large circle to mourn her death and their irretrievable loss."
XXXII.
King resides at Honolulu-Furnishing a Palace- The Queen-Going to Church-Rivalry-Our Re- moval-Boarders-Politics in the Family-Trouble with George Brown - Trouble Generally - Mr. Richards' Troubles-Visit of Sir Geo. F. Seymour -Agitation at Lahaina-The King to Petitioners -King's Addresses-John Young's Addresses-The Oath of Allegiance-The Native Government Su- preme.
A FTER the removal of the king and queen to their new residence, some attention has been required to arrange their household.
It is the custom of the chiefs to keep crockery, table- linen, silver, etc., packed away in bundles and distrib- uted among their attendants, to be forthcoming when called for, which is only on great occasions, as they usu- ally eat fish and poi served in a very simple manner, re- quiring little else than a calabash, fish dishes, and finger bowls. The king has now a table spread regularly for breakfast and dinner, under the supervision of a well- trained English steward and purveyor.
I have had some amusement as well as labor in col- lecting together old silver teapots, cups, pitchers, glasses, candlesticks, India shades, spoons, knives and forks ; and as one mysterious bundle after another has been opened from its numerous folds of kapa, in watching the jealous eyes of the old servants, who look on with wonder and question if I can be so disinterested in the matter as to scour and rub and wash in such a way, just for the sake of making the king more respected, as well as more com-
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fortable. They see me removing rubbish and planting trees and flowers, and ask me if I am going to take them away by and by when we move.
The queen is fine-looking, but has had few advantages of improvement. She was married to her royal husband very young, and he has always kept her as close as a Turk. My daughters assist in arranging her wardrobe. She has laid aside her glowing reds and high-colored shawls, of which she was so fond, and looks very pretty in straw-colored satin, with hat, feathers, ribbons, flow- ers, and gloves to match.
We always call for and go with them to church, which secures regular attendance. There was some difficulty in arranging suitable seats for their Majesties, as it is not Hawaiian etiquette for any one to sit above the king. In olden time to climb a tree or housetop under which a chief sat, incurred the penalty of death. The galleries in the church seated the common people over the head of the king. There was some strong feeling upon the subject among some of the old chiefs and their retainers, but the king ended the difficulty by saying : " Old things are passed away. I prefer a place near the pulpit and by a window, so as to have fresh air. I do not care who is in the galleries, if they do not break through." This pew is cushioned, and the window draped with orange and crimson satin, with conveniences for hymn-books and Bibles. The king has a fine voice and is fond of sacred music.
The old premier was a little jealous of the queen, be- ing her superior by birth, and when I made purchases for them, I was always obliged to allow the old lady the first choice. She always wanted her sash a little longer and her bows a little larger than the queen's. And because the latter was young and had pretty hair, which
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A New Home.
she wore in ringlets, why, the dear old premier must have hers curled too, which made her a little ridiculous, yet she was really good and tried to be an exemplary Christian.
I have told you how we rented her house, with a written agreement that we might keep it as long as we wished, as she would never occupy it after the death of her sister. But when the king moved into a new house and everything looked so stylish and comfortable, she changed her mind and wanted her house again ; besides, we had dispelled the ghosts.
The governor in his kindness fitted up another place for us, and we vacated in her favor. Our new house is not so nice as hers, but in some respects we like it better. The yard is full of rubbish and ruins of adobe walls and pig-sties, and we shall have the pleasure for the fourth time of pulling up thistles and planting roses.
Mr. Ricord, now the attorney-general ; Mr. C. G. Hop- kins, an English law student, sent out at the suggestion of Mr. Richards; and Mr. R. C. Wyllie, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, are boarders in our family. This brings a good deal of company, and still more politics, into the family circle, which are not the best things for young minds. I often question if it is my duty to remain much longer at such a painful post of observation. When the independence of the nation was secured and the heavy debts paid off, we hoped for peace, but the hope was vain. No sooner is the Government out of one diffi- culty than it is involved in another.
The American commissioner has thrown down the gauntlet now and a fierce paper war is progressing be- tween him and the attorney-general. Both lose their temper. The commissioner threatens and raves; has interdicted all intercourse between the officers of the
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American men-of-war and those of the Government, ex -. tending the ban to even the families.
He made a great dinner on the " glorious Fourth," to which he invited every American woman in the place, with the exception of Mrs. William Paty and myself, whose husbands unfortunately belonged to the obnox- ious Government, and had taken the oath of allegiance to His Hawaiian Majesty. At evening he sent a fine band of music from a ship-of-war to serenade all the ladies, with special orders to pass us by. But as he did not put cotton in our ears, we enjoyed every note of it notwithstanding the interdict.
The Belgian contract was a very unfortunate affair, and gives rise to endless quarrels and disputes, and has alienated warm friends. And the end is not yet. Mr. Richards feels the responsibility, as he helped draw the plan and signed the contract in Europe, which bound the king and Government, though Haalilio refused his signature. My husband has put his shoulders to the wheel to help him out, thereby heaping upon himself a great deal of odium from parties interested.
Admiral Seymour, of Her Majesty's service, has lately made us a visit, insisting upon an immediate settlement of Mr. Charlton's land claim. Almost everybody in Honolulu believes the claim unjust and the papers dis- honestly drawn up. They were not presented until after the death of the principal witnesses, and the death of the person whose signature it bears. The claim is made to include the most valuable portion of the town and valuable wharf lots.
The town was in a state of excitement during the ad- miral's visit, and most absurd reports were circulated of threatened cannonading, frightening children, and mak- ing timid women very nervous. I sometimes think it
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More Foreign Troubles.
would be pleasant to live under a Government strong enough to defend itself from the inflictions of such wrongs.
As many of the Cabinet councils are held in our par- lor, it is impossible to remain in blissful ignorance of what is passing, as I fain would do. One of the keenest of all these trials has been the Lahaina agitation, origi- nating among natives headed by Malo, and petitioning the king to dismiss all the foreigners from his service, except Mr. Richards, and put everything back where it was three years ago; also, not to allow any more white men to become the king's subjects by taking the oath of allegiance.
Now Malo expected some good position under the new organization, and was disappointed in not getting it. The chiefs were afraid of his radicalism, for he was good and talented and conscientious, though headstrong. John Ii had the appointment; a milder, more judicious man, if less energetic. David recommended the old order of things as better than the new.
The king made a tour of the Islands and addressed the people in various places, explaining to them his posi- tion and policy.
The following is a close translation of the king's letter to one of the petitioners at Lahaina :
" Gracious salutation. Kindly inform the old men and women of the time of my father, that I greatly desire all ancient privi- leges should be renewed.
" One privilege which Kamehameha I. proclaimed to the com- mon people was, 'Old men and old women shall pass and lie down in safety on the road.'.
" That, as well as other benefits of ancient times shall be per- petuated, if they are conformable with others which have been added, and some of them will be changed to give them a new character, to suit new circumstances which have arisen in my
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reign. Therefore I have appointed certain foreign officers, as a means of finding out all the advantages that exist in the great Governments.
" I have not appointed these foreigners to office without regard to the people of the land. I have appointed them because my people do not understand fully the principles of action which exist in the great countries to whose family we have been ad- mitted. I can at any time put an end to their holding office in the Hawaiian Islands.
" I earnestly desire that the common people be employed, if it is their wish and that of my court, all the common people that are acquainted with business, after the manner I have adopted. G, L. Kapeau, a commoner, is secretary to the Treasury Board, and no doubt he will become highly competent. I wish we had many such.
"Such are my sentiments at present, careful lest the benefits conferred by my father should become a dead letter. At the same time I desire teachers to instruct me and my Court, how to transact my Government business agreeably with the practice of enlightened nations.
" The chiefs, to whom you think those offices should be given, I am well satisfied could never perform the duties, viz : Leleihoku, Paki, Keoni Ana (John Young). These all hold offices in my Government, but they are quite incompetent to perform the duties which I have assigned to others.
"I hope the time will soon come when all these offices will be filled by the young chiefs, as soon as their education is com- pleted.
"I am aware of the advantage of native clerks, but they can not readily become foreign clerks-therefore I see it is necessary to appoint others for that department.
" Therefore I refused assent to all the petitions of the common people, that the foreign secretaries be set aside for the benefit of native ones.
" Ancient men and women, I love you all, therefore I talk with you through the estimable person, Kamakau, who made known to me your love for us. KAMEHAMEHA."
During the king's tour around the Island of Maui, among several addresses, he made the following to the people of Wailuku :
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Plain Talk from the King.
" I have addressed you before with my ' kuhina' (premier), who is gone. I alone am left. I now repeat the same. I urge you to support schools and cultivate the soil. We are seeking the good of the country, but the work is not done. We are making laws-they are not obscure; if they were so to us, they would be so to you.
" Your hereditary chiefs have been in trouble, and therefore I have chosen some to aid them. They are ministers of white skin whom you see here. This is according to the old system. They know more than we, and I have chosen them for the sake of knowledge. You have heard of our trouble-I have seen it. Therefore we have chosen these helpers to help you.
" We have heard of your petitions. Should we consent to them, trouble would immediately follow before night. I ask of you, therefore, to put an end to your wish to promote that peti- tion. I do not think you meant wrong. You did what you thought best. But you have not been in our councils, and can not know. Abandon, therefore, that idea. Take care of your children. They know not how to do right, but you must lead them. Send them to school, that they may be wise to know our affairs. Then they can read and judge for themselves. It is by reading that knowledge is gained. This is for your advantage, that the dwelling may be peace.
" Hear me, parents and children, commons. This is what I have to say."
ADDRESS OF JOHN YOUNG.
" You have all heard the voice of your king; have often heard it. When he went around with Kaahumanu, we were all children then. Now we tell you the same. We promote the same re- ligion, the same justice, the same desire for education. We, all of us, have seen the past troubles.
" Formerly, when important business was done, Dr. Judd would be present, but must keep silent, or be sent away. When Kame- hameha III. put on him his own garments, then he was heard. He took the oath of allegiance, and stood in the gap to save us. This year you have petitioned against him-you and the people of Lahaina. Did you ever hear of a people destroyed by allegi- ance? America was overrun, as you have been told, and the red-skins were destroyed. But the white men owed them no
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allegiance. Do you think that I or Paki can do the work of a white minister? No. The young chiefs will, we hope, be quali- fied, but now we must have these white men.
"I do not think you have occasion to petition. The king knows best his own business. He weeps alone in his own house for troubles you know nothing of, and seeks the best means of relief. You have been led away by the inconsiderate."
At another place on the same island the king said :
" I have not often spoken. It is my wish to visit all my peo- ple. God has chosen me to be your king. You are my children. You see me before you in the enjoyment of peace. Read the public prints. What was esteemed in ancient times, is of little value compared with what we know now. Let us take care of ourselves. God is above. In no enlightened land is there a denial of God. You have heard His worship recommended by the old chiefs. They are gone. We, who were children, now stand to recommend the same. I have not a wish to act as a child, but to live in the faithful performance of my duty."
In another place he said :
"I address you in the name of God. Religion is the bulwark of a nation. Think not the missionaries alone say this. Every foreigner knows it. No country prospers without religion. Let us strive to attain it."
Mr. Young said :
"Laws are for your protection. If every man did his duty there would be no need of laws. Religion would, if sincerely pursued, do away their necessity. Formerly no one could ap- proach the king. Death was the portion of all who crossed his shadow. Now he is one of you. Then he was king and god, Formerly you offered your eye-balls to the king, and your bodies, now he requires you to use them in gaining instruction.
"The king has chosen foreign ministers. Mr. Richards went as subject with Haalilio. More have been needed and chosen. No land has been taken by those who have taken the oath of allegiance. Bad aliens alone are dangerous to the kingdom. The king has watched and wept over his toil, until he chose these
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Defence of Foreign Ministers.
men to aid him. And he is now at rest. Why do some of you say, It is a great expense ? Shall not wisdom be paid? Is not wisdom better than gold? Those who take the oath of allegi- ance, will be faithful to serve our king.
· " Why has he fatigued himself with this journey? For your good. He does not bathe in your waters to make them 'tabu ' for further use."
The principal disputes and difficulties in which the nation had been involved for years have arisen from the complaints of foreigners holding lands and real estate in the Islands (some of them married to native wives), and yet claiming the protection and interference of their home Government, exercised here through its representative. Now it was thought that if fealty to the rightful sovereignty of the realm was required, in order to hold landed prop- erty, it would be necessary to bring all disputes arising therefrom before the Hawaiian courts, to be settled by the only legitimate authorities.
The officers of the new cabinet took the lead. Um- brage has been taken by the American residents on ac- count of this measure, and contempt and ridicule are poured upon it with unsparing hand. Toadyism, traitorous, unpatriotic, and various other soft epithets have been applied to those who have had the moral courage to sustain the measure. Its defenders argue that it is the only policy that will insure harmony among the heterogeneous mass of foreign -born and native subjects.
If laws just and equal are impartially extended over all classes, there will be less room for jealous feuds on the part of the natives, while it will increase the interest of foreign residents in promoting peace and national prosperity. Those who intermarry should surely bring the civil and social blessings of the fatherland to the one
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of their adoption. Americans ought to glory in trans- planting and engrafting the liberal policy of their own fine institutions upon old heathen despotisms. If this noble work can sooner be achieved by owning allegiance to Kamehameha III., why should it be withheld? Thus far it works well, and proves a strong bond of brother- hood.
XXXIII.
Letter from a Distinguished Traveler-Opening of the Legislative Chambers-Feather Cloak-The Diplo- matic Corps-Female Legislators-The King's Speech -The Traveler's Testimony-Sabbath Evening Serv- ice at the Palace-The King's Birthday-An Acci- dent - Letter from a Correspondent - Dr. Fudd's Letter.
L ETTER from a distinguished traveler :
" HONOLULU, May 26, 1845.
" A brief account of the, for this part of the world, novel pro- ceedings which have characterized the opening of the session of the Legislative Chambers, may not be without interest to your widely-extended readers, who feel any curiosity in the politics of this diminutive kingdom.
" Probably most are aware that hitherto Government busi- ness has been most irregularly conducted, the discussions being more after the fashion of Indian councils than anything else, over which missionary, or merchant, or man-of-war captain has held alternate influence. The consequence has been, as might have been expected, a loose, disjointed, unequal legisla- tion, adapted neither to natives nor foreigners.
" The Legislature now called together, consists of the best men of the nation. It is divided into two houses-that of the Nobles, embracing the hereditary and the newly-created aristocracy of the kingdom, and that of the Representatives, elected by the people of the several islands.
" Assisted by the foreign professional talent in their service, it is proposed at this session to reorganize the Government, creat- ing an independent and well-informed judiciary, after the model of that of the United States, recodifying the laws, and doing other important acts.
"That the session should be opened with due attention to forms and dignity, it was determined that the king should go in
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state, after the fashion of Queen Victoria, to the Parliament, and read before them a speech.
" A large hall (the national stone church) was selected for the ceremony. A temporary throne was prepared in the middle, while in the rear and front, spreading in semicircular rows, were arranged seats for the nobles, representatives, officers of Govern- ment, the foreign diplomatic corps, and invited guests. The body of the house was thrown open to the public, and crowded to excess by people of all ranks, classes, and nations drawn to- gether to witness a spectacle so anomalous in Polynesia. Tues- day, May 20th, was the day appointed, and to add to the decorations of the hall and throne, the old stores of past grandeur had been thoroughly ransacked.
" Two only of those stately and splendid ' kahilis,' the plume- like insignia of royalty, at once so beautiful and appropriate, were to be found, and their feathers were worn and rumpled by age. They were, however, about twenty feet high, with massive and rich staffs-the one surmounted by black feathers on a white ground-the other by orange and crimson. These were placed so as to tower over the throne, over which was thrown the only really rich remnant of royalty left. This was a feather cloak, made of very minute yellow feathers, two or three only being produced by a single bird, and attached with great skill to a fine net or gauze work, so as to form a brilliant and even garment, resembling somewhat delicate and malleable plates of fine gold. It took eight generations of kings to complete it. There was also the fine old spear of Kamehameha I., and feather capes of scarcely less beauty than the cloak borne by young chiefs attend- ant on the king. But all those rich helmets and other articles, which elicited the encomiums of early voyagers for their skill and workmanship, have now either perished or been borne away to decorate the museums of Europe and America. In lieu of them the chiefs and nobles wore the more glittering uniforms of civil- ized lands, heavy with gold lace and gilt buttons.
" The diplomatic corps made a tolerably brilliant show. The American Commissioner's uniform is certainly the neatest and most appropriate that has appeared here-plain and republican, but not wanting in effect. The English Consul-General's coat was covered with silver lace and decorations. The officers of
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A Stranger's Impressions.
the English ships-of-war added not a little to the show and glitter.
" The effect of the whole was made more pleasing by the rich and tasteful dress of fifty or a hundred ladies.
" By the constitution of the country, female chiefs take an active part in Government affairs, and are governesses and peer- esses by birth. On this occasion they turned out in all their strength, if I can not say beauty, though some of them are very passable, particularly the queen, Mrs. Rooke, and Mrs. Young, if I can add size, for to no inconsiderable weight of influence they add weight of body, and all have waists that would carry envy through the most populous establishment of Stamboul. I do not think their average weight can be less than two hundred pounds. However, they were dressed in excellent taste, and appeared to very good advantage.
"The king was dressed in a costly and splendid uniform. He came attended by the queen, his cabinet, and military escort. As he entered the building, the new royal standard, containing the national coat of arms, designed at the herald's office in Lon- don, wholly from national emblems, was hoisted for the first time. The brass band, all native musicians, struck up the na- tional anthem ; guns from the fort thundered forth twenty-one times. The whole company arose, and the king walked with much dignity to his throne. A prayer was offered by Rev. Mr. Richards, chaplain of the Court, after which, at the command of the king, all seated themselves.
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