USA > Hawaii > Honolulu: sketches of life, social, political, and religious, in the Hawaiian Islands from 1828 to 1861 > Part 13
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Extract from a letter of one of the young princes :
" HAWAII, July, 1849.
"MY DEAR FRIEND :- I received your letter of the 13th the day after we arrived at this place. We have been traveling two
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A Hawaiian Prince's English.
or three days over nothing but sharp lava and deep ravines, sleeping in caves with nothing but our ponchos or pea-jackets for pillows, and a single blanket for covering, the weather quite cold too.
" We have come to this place, which is a little better. We go out almost daily for wild cattle for subsistence. We live in ' papais'-little huts made by ourselves.
"I am using the top of Mr. H-'s trunk for a writing desk, while he is sitting by me using a cigar-box for the same purpose.
"You must excuse me for not writing a longer letter, as I have spent a very unpleasant night, and do not feel well this morn- ing.
"L-'s handkerchief, unfortunately, I forgot to give you, and I still have it with me. With the hope that this will find you well and happy, I remain,
"Your sincere friend, LIHOLIHO."
XXXVIII.
Fournal, 1849-Death of Alapai -- Arrival of Admiral de Tromelin-Courtesies-Arrival of the Steamer Gassendi - Imperative Demands-Destruction of the Fort - Seizure of Vessels-Visit of Madame Dillon-Negotiations-The Yacht Carried Off- My Husband Going to France.
1849.
A LAPAI, wife of John Young, died very suddenly of apoplexy. Her husband is absent with the king on Hawaii, and the funeral services will be delayed until their return.
A French ship-of-war, with an admiral, is at Hilo, Dr. Judd writes. He is very friendly, and hopes the diffi- culty between Monsieur Dillon, the consul, and Mr. Wyllie, Minister of Foreign Relations, will be amicably adjusted without resorting. to arms, as threatened.
August 12, 1849 .- The French frigate La Poursuivante, Admiral de Tromelin, arrived from Hilo, where she had been ten days. The admiral called on me with Madame Dillon. He speaks English very well, and is very affa- ble. He appears well disposed toward the Government and people.
He has rooms at Madame Dillon's cottage in the val- ley, and has exchanged salutes with the governor of the fort.
Sunday .- The French steamer Gassendi arrived from Tahiti. The political atmosphere portends a storm.
19th .- The king and suite returned, hastened by the death of Mrs. Young. She was a favorite of the king,
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The French Demands.
being one, of the maids of honor in the train of his be- loved sister.
22d .- A dispatch was received from the admiral, couched in very imperative terms, demanding an imme- diate interview with the king. It was received during the funeral obsequies of Mrs. Young, and before it could be replied to was followed by another, which required the complete adoption of the treaty of 1846, as it reads in the French text. The demands were as follows:
The reduction of duty on French brandy. A rigorous equality for the two forms of Christian worship.
The adoption of the French language in official inter- course between French and Hawaiians.
Concession and redress with reference to customs duties, and the return of a small fine imposed on a French ves- sel, for the infringement of custom-house regulations.
An official apology for the impious conduct of certain native pupils of the High School at Lahainaluna (who put their hands in the holy water).
Indemnity to the keeper of the French hotel for prop- erty damaged by some drunken English sailors.
The removal from office of the governor of Hawaii, who enforced the payment of taxes by a person in the employ of a French priest, on Hawaii, and who evaded the policemen by sheltering himself in the house of said priest.
Prompt compliance was required, or the admiral " would resort to the means at his disposal for coercion !"
Replies-calm, reasonable, and dignified-from the king's cabinet, requesting the admiral to show cause for this extraordinary proceeding, were of no avail. While the negotiations were pending, and before the king's ulti- matum was received, a French force of sappers and miners were landed, who took possession of the fort and
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Honolulu.
magazine, and French guards were placed at the custom- house and at the Government offices. The king's yacht and several vessels belonging to foreigners were seized ..
All the guns were thrown from the walls of the fort or spiked. The magazine was opened and the powder poured into the sea. All the old muskets, swords, and bayonets that could be found were broken to pieces, and every article on the premises destroyed, not sparing the old clock on the walls of the governor's house. Two large camphor-wood trunks, containing kahili feathers and various articles belonging to Kinau, were carried on board the French ships, and even the calabashes were smashed and thrown into the well.
This glorious warfare was carried on by the soldiers of that most chivalrous nation without the slightest re- sistance on the part of natives or foreigners. The dam- ages amounted to one hundred thousand dollars at a fair estimate.
While the French were doing this mischief, not to redress a national wrong, but in obedience to the orders of M. Dillon, for personal revenge upon the minister, the French flag was pulled down at the consulate, and the Hawaiian Government held responsible for damage to French property, and Madame's furniture removed from her residence in the valley a mile above our dwelling to the steamer Gassendi.
She called on her way down, as we had always been on the most friendly terms, and assured me of the most kindly feelings on the part of herself, her husband, and the admiral, toward the king and all his cabinet, with the exception of the Minister of Foreign Relations. She said if the king had only listened to the advice of her husband and dismissed the obnoxious minister long ago, if he would listen to reason and sacrifice him even
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Madame Dillon.
now, all this evil might be averted. But if he would not rid himself of so unworthy a person, the innocent must suffer with the guilty. The consul had power now, and would have satisfaction for all he had suffered of insult and indignity at the hands of the minister. She offered protection for me and the children on board the steam- er, and assured me that if still harsher measures were resorted to, great care would be taken to save our premises.
I thanked her for her kind offer, but replied that our interests were identified with the Hawaiians, and their fate must be ours. I could see no just cause for this destruction of property, as all the disputed points in the treaty of 1846 had been referred to France for adjudica- tion, and the other complaints had been settled in our courts of justice-the only proper place. I could not understand how her husband, who had been trained for so many years in the political school of M. Guizot, and who had always professed so much candor and sincerity, could allow himself for mere private pique to inflict such injustice upon a feeble, peace-loving people and an inno- cent community.
She affirmed that her husband had borne and suffered a vast amount of ill-usage for a long time from the Min- ister of Foreign Relations, that he had remonstrated with the king and Minister of Finance in vain, and it was no more than right for the king and cabinet to suffer for their obstinacy. And moreover, we should be very soon equally convinced of the unworthiness of said min- ister, and that Dr. Judd would reap the bitter fruit of his (Mr. Wyllie's) intrigue and malice, and yet be a victim to fall by the same hand.
I thanked her again for her offer of French protection and kind interest and friendly warning. I told her I had
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Honolulu.
great confidence in the prayers of ten thousand hearts, which daily ascended in behalf of the suffering nation. That hitherto God, the righteous Judge, had interposed to save in times of trouble, and I did not believe He would forsake them now. I asked her if she had not heard the bell ringing with the earliest break of day during the past week, to call the people up and down the valley together for special prayer in behalf of the rulers, and assured her that those prayers inspired me with more confidence than a hundred line-of-battle ships. And thus we parted. Madame Dillon took refuge on board the war steamer, and I remained at my own quiet home.
On the evening of the same day Judge Lee and Dr. Judd went on board the Gassendi, with the king's dis- patches to the admiral, where they remained several hours endeavoring to negotiate a settlement. The French guards were still at their station before the Cus- tom House and Government offices.
Some of my kind neighbors came in to express their sympathies, fearing the commissioners would be de- tained on board as prisoners of war, or harmed in some way, and were quite surprised to find me asleep !
The Hawaiian Government, conscious of right and justice on its side, and regarding these hostile proceed- ings as at variance with the solemn compact entered into by France and England, November 28, 1843, could not yield nor swerve from its position, let the consequences be what they might. They could only protest and ap- peal to the honor and good faith of France.
The utmost quiet prevails on shore. It is suspected that, in case of further hostilities, the American flag will be run up in place of the Hawaiian, and that will com- mand respect, Consul-General Miller has kindly offered
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Coming Troubles.
protection to women and children, and Judge Turril, the American consul, is ready for duty. It is difficult to restrain the tide of indignation called forth among all classes, native and foreign. They would most willingly rush to arms, but any resistance would only afford pre- text for further aggression.
September 4th .- The king's yacht was manned by Frenchmen and sent to sea. We watched the little beauty as she glided out of the harbor, with no benedic- tions on the heads of the actors in these proceedings.
The wrath of M. Dillon is appeased by the wreck of property he has caused, and after exchanging another billet-doux with the minister, he has embarked bag and baggage for San Francisco in the Gassendi.
In order to appreciate the necessity of this manifesta- tion of French prowess, one must know the magnitude of French interests in these islands. Aside from the priests and their missions, there are twelve French sub- jects, one of whom is a merchant, who transacts about one-thousandth part of the commercial business of the place.
September 6th .- Dr. Judd returned from Privy Coun- cil and handed me the following: "It has pleased the king to nominate G. P. Judd, his Minister of Finance, as his Majesty's Special Commissioner and Plenipotentiary Extraordinary to the Governments of France, England, and the United States."
September 11th .- Dr. Judd is gone. He sailed in the' schooner Honolulu, Captain Newell, bound for San Fran- cisco, accompanied by the two princes, Alexander Liho- liho and Lot Kamehameha. The king, queen, chiefs, and a large concourse of natives and foreigners accom- panied them to the ship. The welkin rang with cheers for their success and a speedy return ; and all the ships
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Honolulu.
manned their yards to do them honor. But what conso- lation does it all afford to wife and children quite away from this demonstration in their own distant dwelling, weeping and watching the little craft that bears from them the joy of their hearts, the light of their home, their stay and staff ?
One cargo of French merchandise has been imported and one French ship-of-war has visited the islands during the last five years. French schooners have occasionally brought freight for English and American merchants, and there are a few whalers in the Pacific who touch now and then at this port.
There is no prejudice against Frenchmen as such, and the few residents among us express their unmitigated disapproval of the late proceedings. Admiral De Tro- melin is only to be blamed for allowing himself to be the tool in the hands of the consul, as did Lord George Paulet. Both acted contrary to their own convictions of right, but were constrained to do the bidding of their respective consuls.
September 5th .- The French ships are all gone. The war is all over, and we have visited the battle-ground, and what a scene is presented ! Those famous old guns, used only for the exchange of friendly and national greetings, which Governor Kekuanaoa prides himself in doing in the most approved military style, all thrown from their carriages, spiked, and mutilated ! The ground is covered with broken muskets, cartridge - boxes, bay- onets, and swords. Every window and door of the governor's house is broken and battered, and the walls are covered with charcoal sketches. Every box, barrel, and calabash is crushed to atoms. " A glorious victory !"
The winter of 1849 was remarkable for the amount of
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A Gloomy Winter.
rain that fell, and the great number of cloudy, foggy days.
Multitudes from California poured in upon us for food and shelter, from their own inclement regions; and they were accused of bringing their climate with them. All the hotels, boarding-houses, and untenanted buildings became full. Food grew scarce. Prices ran up exor- bitantly high, and still the tide of immigration poured in. Flour was thirty dollars per barrel ! California gold was scattered about with reckless hands, but no alche- mist's skill could change it to bread. Kalo, that nutri- tious, substantial vegetable (thanks to the toil of the kanaka) did not fail.
Spring came, the rain ceased, and the tide of humanity set back to the El Dorado, leaving the evil of high prices and increased wages for all kinds of labor, but binding us with the strong cords of reciprocal interests and mutual dependence.
XXXIX.
Visit of U. S. Ship " St. Mary's"-Address of Commo- dore Voorhies - The President's Message-E. H. Allen, United States Consul-Breakfast at the Palace-Letters from Dr. Fudd and the Princes- California-The Treaty-At the Irving House- In London-At the Foreign Office-In Paris-The British Ambassador - Protracted Negotiations- The Princes Employed-Presentation to Louis Na- poleon-The Greek Ambassador-Duc de Broglie- Guizot-Mr. Rives-Return to London.
1
1849-'50.
T HE United States ship-of-war St. Mary's, Commo- dore Voorhies, visited Honolulu in December, and brought the following words of comfort to our desponding sovereign :
" May it please your Majesty, I have had the honor to be ap- pointed by my Government to convey to your shores an envoy, in the person of Charles Eames, Esq., for the purpose of making a friendly treaty with your Majesty, on the principles of reciproc- ity and mutual advantage. On my way hither, Mr. Eames met at San Francisco with Dr. Judd, your Majesty's representative, and, finding him duly appointed for the purpose, concluded the treaty with him there, of which treaty I had the honor to be the bearer, and placed, as I have no doubt you have been informed, in the hands of His Excellency Mr. Wyllie, your Majesty's Minister of Foreign Relations.
"On the conclusion of this treaty Mr. Eames, United States Commissioner, deemed his mission at an end, and remained at San Francisco, leaving his place open to be filled by a successor, who he presumed was about to be appointed to fill the vacancy.
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Friendly Messages.
Otherwise he might have accompanied me, as was originally de- signed.
"I am most happy to congratulate your Majesty upon the happy arrangement of a question, which I trust will be equally advantageous to both nations. The United States entertain a most friendly interest in the welfare of these Islands. I can not but feel myself to be flattered in having been charged with a matter, by which I have it in my power to say to your Majesty, may the friendly relations so long subsisting between the Gov- ernment of the Sandwich Islands and the Government of the United States still longer continue, and without interruption."
This kind message was delivered to the king at a special audience at the palace, December 10, 1849.
The king's commissioner and the princes arrived in New York early in December, where they were most kindly received by the city authorities, and shown every possible attention and hospitality. The polished man- ners of the young men won much favor.
As Monsieur Dillon was in advance, it was necessary to proceed to Europe without delay. The treaty with the United States was therefore committed to our old friend, James J. Jarves, Esq., to finish at Washington.
Extract from President Taylor's message :
"The position of the Sandwich Islands with reference to the territory of the United States in the Pacific, the success of our persevering and benevolent citizens, who have repaired to that remote quarter, in Christianizing the natives, and inducing them to adopt a system of government and laws suited to their capac- ity and wants, and the use made by our numerous whale-ships of the harbors of the Islands, as places of resort for obtaining refreshments and repairs, all combine to render their destiny peculiarly interesting to us.
" It is our duty to encourage the authorities of those Islands in their efforts to improve and elevate the moral and political condition of the inhabitants; and we should make reasonable allowance for the difficulties inseparable from the task.
9
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Honolulu.
" We desire that the Islands may maintain their independence, and that other nations should concur with us in this sentiment. We would in no event be indifferent to their passing under the dominion of another power. The principal commercial States have in this a common interest; and it is to be hoped that no one will attempt to interpo e obstacles to the entire independence of the Islands."
FROM THE JOURNAL.
March 10th .- The American Consul, Elisha H. Allen, Esq., of Maine, arrived with the treaty signed at Wash- ington, on the 26th of December, 1849.
In an English newspaper, received by the last mail, I found the notice of the safe arrival of the young princes and Dr. Judd in France, and of a conference had by Monsieur Dillon with the President of the French Re- public and the Minister of the Marine at the Champs Elysées. The young princes are mentioned as every- where giving evidence of good manners and education, and are received with becoming dignity and attention. This is very gratifying.
April 25, 1850 .- Invited to breakfast at the palace to meet ex-consul Turril and family. The breakfast was excellent, and elegantly served by the new steward, St. John. The porcelain breakfast service and Bohemian glass, lately received, are very handsome. The king was in excellent spirits, and Mr. Young is always cheerful. A great many pleasant things were said by all parties. His Majesty remarked that he would trust no other man but my husband with such a charge, but he was a phy- sician and guardian, and would take care of the young princes, both soul and body. Mutual regrets were ex- pressed at the separation from Judge Turril and family, who have proved themselves such valuable friends.
The queen's carriage was in readiness to convey Mrs.
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The Diplomatic Journey.
Turril and her children to the wharf, where they em- barked for San Francisco.
Extracts from letters received in 1850 from Dr. Judd and the princes :
" AT SEA, NEARING SAN FRANCISCO.
" .... Tuesday, September 11th, was a sad day. We must bear cheerfully this separation which God has willed, as I hope for the good of the nation to whose service we devoted our lives in 1827. God alone can sustain and prosper me under all the trials of this arduous mission. The consciousness of so many imploring the divine blessing upon us, is a source from which I derive consolation and courage of heart.
"The boys appear well. I leave them free to associate with whom they choose on board, and to do as they please, since I find them desirous of doing their best."
"SAN FRANCISCO, October 4th.
" . . . . Arrived at one o'clock yesterday. The steamer for New York passed us in the fog the night before we got in. Have met and shaken hands with a great number of people, Commis- sioner Eames and Commodore Jones among the number. This is a miserable, comfortless place, the weather cold, damp, and foggy. Poor lodgings, no fire, and we pay six dollars a day for each of us. The streets are knee deep in mud, and thronged with fierce-looking men. There are two hundred and fifty ships in the harbor.
" A dentist, who sits opposite me at table, says he charges six- teen dollars for extracting a tooth, and sixteen hundred for a set of new ones !
" Dead bodies are found almost every morning-perished from hunger, cold, and disease ; a bullock's hide and an empty cask being their only covering and shelter.
" We have visited the Dolores Mission. The church is going to decay. The present priest is said to be an Indian. I did not see him. A restaurant and liquor-bar are kept in one end of the building. Found an Island acquaintance, who keeps a boarding-
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Honolulu.
house. Ordered dinner. Had soup, sardines, boiled beef, cab- bage, and chocolate, for which we paid eight dollars. ....
" Met a man from Boston, who came overland. Eight months on the road. Lost all his animals-had the cholera. Two of his companions killed by the Indians. What suffering in this rush for gold ! . . . .
" Have been here three weeks and have completed the draft of the treaty with the United States Commissioner, much to my satisfaction. Commodore Voorhies will take a copy to the Isl- ands. It is too wordy, but that is not my fault. The Commo- dore promises to call and report progress. You will be pleased with him.
" The California press comes out strong in our favor, and con- demns the course of Monsieur Dillon. The latter labored hard while here to impress the public mind with the idea that the Hawaiians were incapable and unworthy of independence. He sailed in the last steamer for New York, leaving his family here. We are off on the first, with Captain Budd, formerly in the United States Exploring Expedition. Dr. Winslow and Captain Stetson are fellow-passengers. This will comfort you."
" NEW YORK, December 11, 1849.
"We arrived on the 8th, after a delightful passage of nine days from Chagres, stopping at Kingston a few hours-an old, moss-grown English town-where we bought oranges for our New York cousins.
" We are at the 'Irving House.' Our parlor is thronged with company, and our table covered with cards left when we are out. The Mayor paid us a visit with all the honors, and extended the hospitalities of this great city of Gotham to us. I am particu- larly gratified with this, as you know Americans generally are not very partial to colored people.
"We sail in the Cunard steamer Canada, as soon as the tailors are done with us."
" LONDON, Tavistock Hotel.
" .... Here we are in this great metropolis of the world, a place you have always desired so much to visit. The only alloy
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London Visited.
to my happiness is that I am here without you and the chil- dren. . . ..
"We stopped at Halifax two hours, where we had a fine sleigh-ride. It was a bright starlight evening, with the ther- mometer below zero. The princes enjoyed it, though it was very cold. The passage of twelve days across the Atlantic was rough and boisterous, but the Canada ploughed her way at the rate of three hundred miles a day, with dignified indifference to wind and waves. We got into Liverpool on the 24th, and whirled into London on Christmas-day. This was our first ride on the railway, and we were delighted with it.
" London remains as it was when you last heard of it, shrouded in smoke and fog. Have seen Mr. Barclay. Lord Palmerston is out of town, spending the holidays; so is everybody else. We shall proceed to France.
"The Times of yesterday announces, on the authority of a Paris correspondent, that the French papers give notice of the arrival of 'M. De - (some French name), Prime Minister of Kamehameha, King of the Sandwich Islands, for the purpose of arranging the late difficulties. That the said M. De - had been in the service of the king twelve years, and was originally a native of the Grand Duchy of Baden !' So you see how clear everything is in France. I think it is too bad that I must fight the battle all over again there, where I can not speak a word of the language, nor pull a string, but all must be done by main strength.
" We have visited the House of Commons, Westminster Hall and the Abbey, the Tower, Zoological Gardens, the Museum, and Gallery of Paintings. The young men enjoy themselves, and are in excellent health. Please report to the king.
"The President's Message has come to hand, and adds another item to my hopes. Whether it will influence France or not, we shall see.
" January 23d .- Have had a good visit from Admiral Thomas, who has interested himself in our behalf, and obtained a promise from Sir George Gray that I shall see Lord Palmerston as soon as he returns to town.
" Prince Alexander is ill. Sir James Clark attends him. . .. Went to the Foreign Office, by appointment ; was kept waiting two hours, as the Viscount was occupied with the Belgian Min-
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