USA > Hawaii > Honolulu: sketches of life, social, political, and religious, in the Hawaiian Islands from 1828 to 1861 > Part 12
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Our intercourse with Mrs. Ten Eyck was very pleasant the short period she remained among us, but too soon " she faded away." The American Consul, Judge Turril, and his wife are a great acquisition. The judge is a gen- tleman of the old school, rather taciturn, but a peace- maker and an inflexible friend. They have an interest- ing family, which is a bond of sympathy between us. Mrs. Turril is an embodiment of female excellence, dis- creet, reliable, and lady-like.
Mr. Brinsmade returned, as you know, without success in his Belgian scheme. He called on us and appeared very kind, but was not long in discovering the hostile attitude which many prominent men in the community
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Honolulu.
had taken against the Government; and he concluded to make a bold move, as it was "neck or nothing" with him now. He accordingly pounced upon the Govern- ment for the non-fulfillment of the contract, and sued for hypothetical damages to the modest amount of $300,000.
There was some difference of opinion in the cabinet. Mr. Richards had signed the contract and felt implicated, and was inclined to favor them, and assume their liabili- ties, and take their property-including the sugar plantation on Kauai-continuing it in operation at Gov- ernment expense. This measure was stoutly opposed by others in the cabinet, who argued that the debts were heavy, and that the plantation would sink money every year.
Arbitrators were chosen, and the case submitted to them. There was a great deal said by both parties, and time enough consumed to have made a little fortune, but breath, time, and money were expended to little purpose, except to widen the breach. The arbitration produced no beneficial results, and ended in the entire alienation of old and long-cherished friendships. This was very painful to some of the families.
My husband, you know, never inquires what course will secure most friends, or the greatest amount of pop- ularity, but only what is most conducive to the king's interest and the nation's good. He did try every hon- orable way to compromise and settle the matter amicably, but with no success. There was no alternative but to fight it through.
Mr. Richards' health suddenly gave way in the midst of the contest. A partial paralysis of the brain soon laid him aside.
Mr. Ricord resigned and has gone to a more inviting field for his enterprising talents in California. We were
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Fudge Lee's Arrival.
sorry to lose his services, for he has labored faithfully, if not always judiciously, for the Government three years ; and to him must be awarded the laurels of the first vic- tories achieved in the contest for the supremacy of Hawaiian laws, extended equally over foreigners and na- tive-born subjects. His successor, William Lee, Esq., will have the advantage of entering the arena cleared of some of its first giant foes. Mr. Ricord possesses brilliant tal- ents and great energy of character, and is ardent in his friendships, but often pains his best friends by his eccen- tricities and impulsive temper.
Mr. Lee and his friend B- came passengers in the Henry, famous for making the longest voyage on record around Cape Horn-eight months-stopping only a few days at St. Catherine's. These young men were bound for Oregon, and it required a good deal of persuasion to turn them from their purpose, and try their fortunes in this little kingdom. The manners of Mr. Lee are plain and unpretending, but if his face is a true index, he car- ries an honest heart in his bosom.
How many changes have taken place during the seven years last past ! Messrs. Whitney, Knapp, Dibble, and Mrs. Dole have gone to worship in that " upper sanctuary." The quiet old order of things in the Mission is broken up. The pastors are mostly supported by the people. The schools are sustained by the Government, with appro- priations of twenty, thirty, and forty thousand dollars a year.
A new court-house, custom-house, market, and print- ing office, all of coral stone, are going up, and when completed, with the fine private residences of Captain Dominis, Dr. Wood, Mr. Shillaber, and Paki, will give quite a new aspect to the city.
The old " homestead " in the Mission, where we spent
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Honolulu.
such a pleasant seven years together, continues to change occupants, and each tenant adds to or subtracts from its niches and " cubby holes." A truthful history of all the metamorphoses of that domicile would be quite amusing. Mrs. Bingham's old suite of rooms is much changed. The partitions are moved, a new window here and a door there, with old ones closed up, and a new paper on the walls.
The old school-house remains unaltered; with the same marks carved on the benches, during the general meetings by uneasy children. These children are now young men and maidens, some of them ready to take their parents' places in the work. Our sons attend Pun- ahou school, and the daughters also, a part of the year. But it is a deal of trouble to provide saddles and horses for so many, and it is quite too far to walk either in the sun or rain. We have secured the services of a private teacher for a few months.
I never felt poorer, even when a missionary, for we were obliged to borrow money to pay carpenters and masons who built our house, and give a mortgage on it for security. It is a miserable feeling to be in debt, and yet we are supposed by many people in this community to be rich, very rich ! "How can the Minister of Finance and Interior, with so many opportunities to fill his own · pocket, be otherwise?" There is so little real honesty among men, that that little is often suspected.
November 7, 1847.
Mr. Richards, our associate, friend, and brother, died this morning. The cloud of sorrow that wraps the widow and fatherless is too sacred for me to lift. He was watch- ful and tender of everything that pertained to the inter- est of his dear wife and children. A new home for them,
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Death of Mr. Richards.
situated in the neighborhood of the grass palace, was nearly finished, and they were looking forward to a time of quiet in it, after so many years of wandering and sep- aration. "The Lord seeth not as man seeth." He is gone to the "many mansions" prepared for those that love God. His end was peace. We have lost a beloved brother and faithful friend, and the nation is bereaved of one of its staunch supporters. Such a life as his needs no eulogy from my feeble pen.
November 13.
Our beloved brother was carried to the royal tomb with military honors at the king's request, and Mr. Dole preached a sermon at the stone church.
Dear Miss O- has been with the afflicted ones dur- ing the last illness of Mr. Richards. What a ministering angel is that good woman! The king will make com- fortable provision for Mrs. R. and her two daughters.
XXXVI.
Extracts from Journal, 1848-Mr. Farves resigns- Mr. Dillon arrives and Bishop Maigret-Massacre of Dr. and Mrs. Whitman at Oregon-Portrait of Louis Philippe -- Opening of the Legislature-In- temperance and Temperance-Report of Minister of the Interior-Hamburg Treaty-Louis Philippe Dethroned-Gold in California-A. B. Bates and Family arrived-Reminiscences -- Trouble Ahead -The Measles-The Land Commission-Committee to Divide the Lands-Mr. Armstrong-The Young Princes.
J ANUARY 8, 1848 .- Treaty concluded between Ham- burg and the Hawaiian kingdom. Mr. Wyllie and E. A. Suerkrap were negotiators.
January 22 .- Mr. J. J. Jarves, for five years the able editor of the Polynesian, and director of the Government press, resigned the pen and scissors, "with his best wishes and hearty 'aloha.'" "Friend after friend de- parts," some to fatherland, and some to the silent land.
February 5 .- The French corvette Sarcelle arrived on the first of this month with a new consul, Monsieur Dillon, lady, two children, and servants, with chancellor and secretary. Bishop Maigret, of the Roman Catholic Church, returned with them from Valparaiso.
A barque from Oregon has just arrived, bringing news of the horrible massacre of Dr. and Mrs. Whitman and other whites by the Kayuse Indians. Suspicion that Dr. Whitman was administering poison, instead of medi- cine, to the victims of an epidemic disease, had been created in their minds by ill-disposed persons, and
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Louis Philippe's Portrait.
roused the Indians to revenge. Two hundred volunteers have gone in pursuit of the murderers, and to rescue thir- teen captive children.
February 15. - The full-length portrait of Louis Philippe, the King of France, was presented to Kame- hameha III. at the palace. It required twelve men from the Sarcelle to carry it, and a body of marines to guard it, a band of music, and a salute of twenty-one guns ! The picture, in a massive gilt frame, was wrapped in the national flag, and followed by the wife of the consul and others in carriages; Bishop Maigret and the Catholic clergy, all the French residents in procession, up one street and down another, to magnify the occasion.
On arriving at the palace gate, the Hawaiian guards extended on both sides of the avenue, from the gate to the palace steps. Another salute was fired from Punch- bowl. The king, queen, young chiefs from the royal school, Government officers, ladies and gentlemen, stood on the steps to receive the portrait. Paki, Lord Cham- berlain, with a few men to assist, succeeded at last in getting it safely into the reception-room, where it is to remain.
The French consul made a fine speech, with the usual amount of compliments on such occasions, and His Hawaiian Majesty made a 'neat' reply, which he had in his pocket, written for him by the Minister of Foreign Relations. This is the custom in other countries, but our king's own speeches are a thousand times better than those prepared for him, because he does not blunder in reading them, and they are more natural and sincere.
The king opened the palace in the evening to receive calls and exhibit the portrait. It is certainly a very dis- tinguished compliment to our little court and kingdom to receive such a princely gift.
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Honolulu.
Madame Dillon is fair and affable. Monsieur le consul is shrewd, and has had a long training in the office of M. Guizot. Professions of extreme good feeling and cor- diality are ample.
April 27, 1848 .- The Legislature opened at the stone church with much less display than last year.
The king was scarcely able to get through reading his speech. He had not made himself familiar with it, and it was too long. He recommended giving titles to lands in fee simple to his subjects.
It is much to be regretted that wine has been intro- duced at the king's table at public dinners of late. We know his love for stimulants is so strong, that, if he tastes liquor at all, excess is sure to follow. It gives us much uneasiness.
Judge Lee is a firm supporter of temperance principles, and is president of the Oahu Temperance Society. He stated, in an address to the society, that $90,000 had been expended during the past year for wines, strong drink, and spirituous liquors by the residents and the sea-faring portion of our community.
The Minister of the Interior reports that five hundred foreigners have taken the oath of allegiance since July, 1843. He reported also on the committee appointed by the king in privy council to effect an amicable division of lands between His Majesty, the chiefs, and the konohikis. Under their management the division had been made in a manner highly beneficial to all concerned.
August 1 .- We hear, by the arrival of the Rhone, from England, that all Europe is in a ferment and likely to be revolutionized. Louis Philippe abdicated and fled in dis- guise on February last, just ten days after we received
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The Gold Fever.
his splendid portrait at the palace of Kamehameha III. The King of Prussia, whose portrait likewise adorns the palace walls, is a fugitive in a foreign land. "Coming events cast their shadows before."
This year the general meeting of the missionaries was uncommonly interesting. Some of them had not met for fifteen years ! Mr. Baldwin made a report of a school celebration at Lahaina ; there were fourteen tables, each one hundred feet long. The parents were the waiters ; each child had a plate, knife, bowl, tumbler, and chair. They sang, made speeches, etc., etc.
Card playing is a growing evil among the natives. The price of a pack of cards is twelve and a half cents.
October 21. - Our young friend Leleiohoku died of delirium tremens.
The discovery of gold in California, in fabulous quantities, is reported, and produces a great sensation in our little realm. Provisions are high in California. Sugar, butter, hams, coffee, potatoes, sell at a dollar a pound in the mines, and woolen blankets from fifty to a hundred dollars apiece. There are already twenty-seven vessels running between the Islands and the coast. Every one expects to make his fortune. Old blankets, cloaks, pea-jackets, etc., are shipped ; our market is likely to be stripped of eatables, and we may be reduced to fish and poi. Three hundred persons have already taken passports for the land of gold, and still they go. Croak- ers are abroad, who say that our fair islands are to be depopulated and commercially ruined.
Fune 28 .- Mr. A. B. Bates and family have arrived, and are now quietly settled in a small cottage near us. Mrs. Bates, my husband's sister, parted with us at the old homestead in Oneida County twenty-one years ago, little dreaming we should meet again at the Sandwich Islands.
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Honolulu.
November 3 .- It is twenty-one years since we left Bos- ton Harbor in the little Parthian. It is pleasant to notice these anniversaries. The changes of season, summer and winter, make the year seem longer; while here the dif- ference of seasons is very slight.
We have been going over the 103d Psalm in the fam- ily, repeating it at the breakfast-table. The Christian's experience of God's goodness is the same in all ages. Our cup of domestic blessings is full-we have much to be grateful for. And yet there are very great trials and an- noyances inseparable, perhaps, from our position. We are accused of ambition, self-seeking, and avarice, while but too conscious of pecuniary embarrassment and op- pression. It is easy to see that undermining influences are at work to injure my husband, and weaken his influ- ence with the king. He is a target for all parties to shoot at. Foreigners hold him responsible for every mistake or blunder of the Government, while the king, chiefs, and natives hold him responsible for all the acts of other Government officers, including clerks and em- ployés.
Every act must be strictly according to law, Judge Lee says, while there are no laws to suit the act-or very imperfect ones.
Foreign officials have cliqued together and sustain a newspaper, which attacks and misconstrues every public measure, and heaps abuse and ridicule upon the Govern- ment and Ministers, not sparing His Majesty himself.
The king, we fear, is less conscientious in his moral deportment than he was formerly, and the young princes of the Royal School are growing restive and impatient to break their bonds and act for themselves. Some of them have outgrown the institution. How can their education be finished? And how occupy this restless
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Imported Epidemics.
activity? How secure them from tempters on every side, greedy for their unwary prey ?
The measles and whooping cough have been intro- duced from California this fall, and have spread through- out the group, proving fatal in every tenth case. The poor creatures in the midst of the fever rush to the wa- ter to bathe, which suppresses the eruption and they die suddenly. They are so improvident, with no food or comforts laid by for a sick day !
The clergymen have been obliged to turn their ser- mons into medical lectures, and instruct their hearers . how to manage the sick and take care of their bodies. I have been able to do little else for three weeks than serve out rice, sugar, tea, arrow-root, bread, and gruel to my suffering neighbors. There has not been a death among all those we have nursed and fed in this way. In the list of mercies, I would not be ungrateful for health.
My husband's vigor and energy were greatly benefited by his long tour with the king around the different islands.
A commission for the adjudication of land titles was formed long ago, when Mr. Ricord was in office, Mr. Richards being president. A hundred or more claims were settled and patents given. But now disputes about the legal proprietorship of extensive portions are con- stantly arising. Was the king the owner, or some chief to whom he had given it in charge, or the residing land · agent (konohiki)? It was found necessary to go back and begin at the beginning and settle these points first.
After a great deal of investigation and buffeting with old usages, it was concluded that one-half of all the lands properly belonged to the king and his chiefs, and the remainder to the people, whose claims should be adjusted according to the laws. Every man who could
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Honolulu.
prove his occupancy of a land for a certain number of years, was to be considered the rightful owner of a por- tion, and could claim his title in fee simple.
The land commissioners, unable to make a division of these rights, referred the matter to the king, who, with the chiefs, had been discussing and considering the de- tails for three years without coming to a satisfactory conclusion ; but as the commissioners could not proceed without a division, the king appointed a committee, con- sisting of John Young, G. P. Judd, and J. Piikoi, to do the work without reference to the wishes of the parties interested. They made short work. The name of every , land in the islands was recorded in a book, the division made and also recorded. Of course, the king had the lion's share, and in the end made a division of one-half of his share for the Government.
It cost a deal of hard work to disentangle complicated claims overlying one another, as they have done from time immemorial. We look upon the measure as a great sacrifice on the part of the rulers, who, according to old customs, owned it all, and think that they should have the full credit of it, instead of being stigmatized as " land pirates," as they were in a public address not long since. Can history, past or present, point to an aristoc- racy who have yielded so much to the people in so short a time? This has not been brought about by the influ- ence of commerce, as some would claim. The divine precept, to do unto others as ye would they should do unto you, has produced its legitimate fruit in subduing selfishness and curbing the natural disposition to aggran- dize self at the sacrifice of the happiness of many.
Friday, December 24, 1848 .- Moses Kaikioewa, second son of Kinau, aged nineteen years and six months, died
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Personal Changes.
to-day. He was educated at the Royal School, and was prospective governor of the Island of Kauai.
Changes in our little kingdom chase each other like the figures and hues of a kaleidoscope.
A special meeting of the Mission was convened in May last to arrange and carry out the measures recom- mended by the A. B. C. F. M. in regard to their support. Several members had already withdrawn their connec- tion with the Board, and one of the pastors of a native church had thrown himself upon it for support. His ex- periment was a successful one, and the effort of the na- tives to sustain their own minister and teacher afforded new incentives to industry, and called for the correspond- ing effort.
Rev. R. Armstrong has dissolved his connection as pastor of the first native church in Honolulu, and en- tered the Government service as Minister of Public In- struction. Mr. E. O. Hall, secular agent of the Mis- sion, has received the appointment of Director of the Government Press. Mr. and Mrs. Cooke have left the Royal School and removed to the Mission. Mr. J. Ful- ler continues to teach the few pupils that remain. The princes Lot and Alexander are removed and board with Mr. and Mrs. Bates in Nuuanu Valley. They find em- ployment a few hours every day in writing at the Gov- ernment House. They read, write, and speak the En- glish language perfectly, are good mathematicians, and are well versed in geography and history. With so little to occupy and interest their inquiring minds, we fear a retrogression in mind and morals, unless some- thing special can be devised for their advancement.
One of the young ladies from the Royal School is married to a lawyer, and keeps house in a neatly-fur- nished cottage in the valley. She has a pretty flower garden and a piano.
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Honolulu.
The Female Boarding School at Wailuku has been remodeled and has changed teachers. Day scholars are admitted. There is a vast amount of talking, writing, and printing on the great subject of national advancement and prosperity, both in and out of the Mission. One great question is, How can the wings of the destroying angel be stayed, which at the present fearful rate of rav- age will exterminate the Hawaiian race in a few years ? "The decrease is steady and silent, as the falling of leaves from old and decaying trees in a forest."
A great number of young men go to sea and never return. Several companies have gone to the mines, from whom we have good accounts. They are reported as the most orderly people there, observing the Sabbath as a day of rest, and are in the daily maintenance of family worship and reading their Hawaiian Bibles and newspapers.
XXXVII.
School Composition-Old Hannah-Her Fortune- Extract of a Letter from a Prince.
1849.
A COMPOSITION written by one of Mrs. J-'s daughters.
OLD HANNAH.
" Old Hannah came to live with us five years ago. She is nearly forty years old, but can not tell exactly, as the natives reckon by some event that took place-not by the years. She says she was a little girl when old Kamehameha Ist died; that she belonged to the train of Queen Kamamalu, who died in England. She used to be a skillful dancer, and now, sometimes, when she is talking very earnestly, she forgets herself and steps off to the right and left, gesturing with her hands, as if she were dancing.
" Kuaole, her husband, is very stupid about learning to read, but is a very good farmer. He takes care of the garden, plants taro and sweet potatoes. Old Hannah orders him about as if he were her servant, and he generally does as she wishes, though sometimes he growls a little.
"They sleep in their own house, a little distance from us, but always manage to be here in season for a warm breakfast, partic- ularly a bowl of hot tea or coffee, of which they are very fond.
"They are both church-members, and Hannah spends a great deal of her time in looking after straying church-members and getting people out to meeting. She is never tired of walking and talking.
"She is a great flatterer, and when she wants any particular favor of my mother, she always begins by telling her how somebody had praised her children, or said how young and good-looking she was, and how much all the chiefs had always admired her looks and skill.
" She takes care of the poultry and does some housework-is very fond of planting and watering the flowers.
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Honolulu.
"She is a leader of the fashions among her class, and often comes to us to contrive some new style of dress for them. She likes red or blue basques with white skirts. When she sweeps the house she always gathers out every fragment of silk, ribbon, or bright-colored cloth, and makes them into trimming for her bonnet.
" A few months ago she heard of the death of her father, on Hawaii, and that he had left her his fortune. Accordingly, on the 18th day of December, she bade adieu to all the family, with many tears, and sailed one hundred and fifty miles across the rough channel, after her fortune.
"We did not hear anything from her till a week ago, when her husband came in and said Hannah had returned, but could not come ashore till we had sent her a dress to wear, as hers was worn out. The dress was sent and she soon made her appear- ance.
"She related her adventures as follows : The schooner made a long passage of twelve days, when she landed at Kawaihae, where the old temple was built in the days of Kamehameha Ist, and where old Mr. Young lived. She went on foot up to Waimea, where Mr. Lyons lives, fifteen miles. There she made a visit, as she formerly lived there. Then she traveled through the deep forest of Mahiki, and down the great pali to Hamakua, where her fortune was. She obtained it. It was a few goats, one pig, two ducks, and one turkey.
" She drove them a long distance, but one goat was trouble- some, so she dispatched it (she did not say how) ; after that the rest went along quietly, and she reached Kawaihae, where they embarked with two ducks and a turkey, leaving the rest to come by the next vessel.
"The schooner made a long voyage down, and she was very sick. She ate one of the ducks during the passage, so all she had to show for her trouble and fatigue was one duck and one turkey !"
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