USA > Hawaii > Honolulu: sketches of life, social, political, and religious, in the Hawaiian Islands from 1828 to 1861 > Part 9
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Honolulu.
The admiral took up his abode on shore, after sending the Carysfort and Dublin to sea, and awaited the ap- proval of the Home Government. He took a lively in- terest in establishing order in legitimate hands, and assisted in advancing the best interests of the people, as well as establishing court rules and etiquette.
In the meantime an American commissioner arrived and an English consul-general, so that, with the French, and four other foreign representatives, there was quite a diplomatic corps in the metropolis of Honolulu.
XXX.
My First Diplomatic Dinner-Our New Home-A Daughter Born under the English Flag-Why the Hawaiian Flag was Restored-My Husband Ill- John Ricord-Secretary of Foreign Affairs-The Soldiers Pardoned-Restoration Party-The Census Improvements-Mr. Damon-The New Palace- Restoration Anthem.
1843.
A DMIRAL THOMAS had taken the lead in a round of diplomatic dinner parties, and it belonged to us to follow. There was a difficulty ; we were pledged to the sovereign and subjects on the temperance question. Commissioner Brown, an earnest advocate of the temperance reform, persuaded us that the time had come when public opinion would sustain us in giving an entertainment without wine, and moreover it was a duty to do so. Moral courage was a noble virtue, and he was sure the admiral would approve, although of course he had never dined without wine in his life, and probably would be uncomfortable without it.
He was therefore consulted, and expressed his approval. The invitations were explicit. It was to a cold-water entertainment to which the guests were invited, and they were quite at liberty to accept or decline accordingly.
The corps at this time included the king and high chiefs of the land, the English admiral, the American commissioner, the consuls of Great Britain, France, United States, Peru, and Bremen-fourteen in all.
Duty once decided, no pains or expense was to be spared
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Honolulu.
in making the dinner the best the realm afforded. The services of Monsieur Guéval, a prodigy in the art culinary, were secured. The table linen was fine and spotless. The silver was borrowed from the ample stores of the governor. Handsome porcelain, glass-ware, and beauti- ful vases of flowers adorned the table. The guests arrived and were duly seated, according to the approved code of etiquette, the oldest in office taking the prece- dence. This was a matter of very delicate adjustment in our little court, for any fault or mistake was sure to give serious offense.
The soup was good-the fish, the finest and fattest from the royal ponds. The rice and curry were good enough for the Great Mogul. Roast beef, mutton, boned-turkey, ham, ducks, chickens, salads (hot and cold), lobster, game, omelets, patties, puddings, pies, almond pastry, fruit, nuts and raisins, crackers and cheese fol- lowed each other in due order, all faultless. But the waiters were slow. It seemed a life-time between the courses. I tasked my brain for sprightly sayings. The admiral was cheerful, but it was plain he missed his wine. His secretary had cramps in his stomach; cold water always produced that effect upon him, and he could eat nothing after his soup. I had half a mind to go to the medicine chest and get a glass of wine for him, but there sat our sovereign and chiefs, and I would not set wine before them for a kingdom.
Three hours dragged their slow length along, and the cloth was removed for tea and coffee, but the admiral excused himself, as his hour for an evening walk had ar- rived. Others followed, in haste for antidotes against the cold water that was chilling them. A few remained and made themselves sufficiently merry and agreeable with drinks that "cheer, but not inebriate."
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Dîner Sans Vin.
When all the guests had retired, I sat down to reflect, half mortified, half vexed. Can it be possible, I thought, that high-bred gentlemen, of intellect and education, are so dependent upon artificial stimulants, that they can not relish a good dinner without them? Are the wit and the fine sayings at the social board of great men nothing but the sparkling effervescence of champagne, and are fine spirits the spirits of the distillery only ?
We were happy to receive afterward the full approval of the admiral, who assured us that such a course was the only proper one, and would secure the happiest re- sults, although he had at first regarded the principle of total abstinence as an ultra measure.
HONOLULU, October, 1843.
The die is cast-we have left our pleasant home in the Mission premises and moved into a furnished stone house of the premier, adjoining the palace. The old lady has not occupied it since the death of her sister, Kinau, who was laid in state in this drawing-room for six weeks. Prince David, the eldest of Kinau's sons, died here also. The pupils in the royal school near us assure our children that the house is haunted, and wonder how we can bring our minds to live in it, affirming we shall surely see ghosts.
The high ceiling, large windows, and papered walls afford such a contrast to our little cottage, that I feel like a traveler at a hotel, or on board a finely-furnished steamer-a mere lodger for the night. The situation is cooler than at the Mission, and commands the sweet breeze from the valley. The upper room is a fine place for school, where I spend an hour and a half each morning with the children. They are allowed to attend the royal school in the afternoon, which is quite agree-
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Honolulu.
able to Mr. and Mrs. Cooke, as well as to their royal pu- pils. It is so near that I can over-look the play-ground from the window where I am writing.
We have named our youngest, born March 16, 1843 under the English flag, after my dear mother, to which name we have added Augusta, for our much esteemed Mrs. H-, to whom I am indebted for much kind- ness.
As to the termination of the English contest, Admiral Thomas supposed that some great wrong had been done to English subjects here, and sent Lord George Paulet to inquire, with express orders to put himself at the com- mand of the English consul. But when tidings reached him of the seizure of the islands, Admiral Thomas lost no time in hastening to the rescue, as I have said.
The long-expected Belgians do not come to claim lands, build mills, and make us all rich. The English accuse the Government of partiality in granting such an immense monopoly to Americans, and they have reason on their side.
The barque Columbia, from Columbia River, arrived a few days ago and brought a young lawyer, J. Ricord, Esq., from New York State. Dr. Judd, though confined to his room, sent for him immediately, hoping to secure his services for the present, at least. He has a fine address, and is very good looking, is well educated and of French extraction. I feel as if a kind Providence had sent him just now to save my husband's life, for I am quite sure he can not sustain such a load of toil and responsibility much longer without assistance.
-
On the arrival of Mr. Brown, the American commis- sioner, Dr. Judd was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs, as he says in a letter to Mr. Richards, which I must quote, it is so characteristic :
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A Striking Scene.
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" December, 1843.
". . . . You will have heard, ere this, that I am appointed Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. This seemed necessary for the present, in order to do business with Mr. Brown. I, of course, take the bull by the horns. I do not like the office."
·
, The king and premier have removed from Lahaina to this place. I wish I could adequately describe a scene that occurred in our large upper room the day after the flag was restored, when the native officers, who held commissions under Lord George, and drilled troops for the service of Her Britannic Majesty, came to receive the king's pardon. Most of them were the companions of his childhood and his personal attendants. They for- sook him in his adversity for what they considered the popular side; they were traitors, of course, and might have been hanged for treason.
As they came up-stairs, one by one, and kneeled be- fore him, and he extended his hand in token of pardon and forgiveness, I could see the struggle it cost him to restrain himself and keep back the big tears that were blinding him.
They made the king a grand supper a few evenings since in the rooms so lately occupied by the British commission. These rooms belong to Haalilio, and will be occupied soon by Mr. Ricord. Toasts were given- in cold water, of course-and were not the less hearty on that account. The king continues true to his temperance pledge. John Young's sentiment was so original I must give it you :
"To the Hawaiian flag, which was lowered under a mistaken idea, as the ends of the lanyards are in the hands of the king's envoys in England."
I repeated it to the admiral, who seemed to enjoy it exceedingly.
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Honolulu.
I have not time to give a description of the Restora- tion party given by Mrs. H-, wife of the American Consul, assisted by Com. Jones and Capt. Stribling, of the American navy. The supper-table, spread in a long arbor, was decorated in a very tasteful manner, and the fine band from the ship-of-war United States was in at. tendance. Grave and gay promenaded to the national air of "God save the King." Dancing was deferred until ten o'clock, when the older guests took leave.
Notwithstanding the disturbances of the past. year, there have been some improvements. Streets have been widened and planted with rows of trees and a few hand- some stores and dwellings have been erected by foreign residents. Carriages are becoming quite common, and oxen are fast taking the place of human teams. The census has just returned the number of inhabitants in Honolulu as nine thousand, one thousand of whom are foreigners, representing fifteen different nations. Gov. Kekuanaoa is a kind of mayor, and keeps this heteroge- neous mass in order. Eleven ships-of-war have visited this port during the year, five of them American, five English, and one French.
Public opinion improves, particularly in regard to the temperance question. Mr. Damon, our beloved Mr. Diell's successor in the seamen's chaplaincy, is an ar- dent temperance man, and his influence in the good cause is felt among seamen and strangers who visit us. This principle seems to be the very foundation of our national prosperity.
A few words about the new palace. The building is of coral, and contains a double drawing-room and two other rooms divided by a hall. It was built by the governor for his little daughter Victoria, but purchased for the king as a temporary residence. The sofas, bedstead,
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" Restoration Anthem."
tables, and clock-case are carved from the native mahog- any by a German cabinet-maker. The grounds adjoin those of the premier, where we live, and are tastefully laid out and planted with young trees. It is a great pleasure to assist in purchasing and arranging center- tables, vases, chandeliers, etc.
A guard stands at the gate, and people are required to send in their names before admittance, which we hope will prevent the rabble from access to the king, as here- tofore, with every petty concern, as if he were a con- stable or justice of the peace.
Dr. Judd has purchased and put up for the king a handsome billiard table, so he need not be tempted to seek amusement beyond his own premises. He is pas- sionately fond of the game, and is said to be very skillful in it. We are ready to contrive anything that is inno- cent to withdraw him from low associates.
Haalilio will be appointed chamberlain on his return. He has refined tastes naturally, and improved by his foreign travels, will appreciate the improvements in the royal household.
I copy the "Restoration Anthem," composed by E. O. Hall, and sung at the picnic given by the king to the admiral in Murami Valley :
TUNE-" God save the King."
" HAIL to our rightful King ! We joyful honors bring This day to thee. Long live your majesty ; Long reign this dynasty ; And for posterity The sceptre be.
" Hail to the worthy name, Worthy his country's fame. Thomas the brave.
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Honolulu.
Long shall thy virtues be Shrined in our memory, Who came to set us free, Quick o'er the wave.
"Hail to our Heavenly King ! To Thee our thanks we bring , Worthy of all. Loud we Thine honors raise ; Loud be our song of praise ; Smile on our future days, Sovereign of all."
XXXI.
Letter of President Tyler-A Declaration-William Richards to G. P. Judd-Mr. Brinsmade's Letter -Prospects of Failure-Sir Geo. Simpson's Letter -Belgian Hopes and Promises-Admiral Thomas' Parting Address - Parting Salutations - Ship of State fairly Launched-Mr. Ricord-Mr. Wyllie - Dr. fudd - Mr. Richards' Return - Mourning for Haalilio-Leleiohoku-Death of Gov. Adams; his Effects-A Struggle-Haalilio-Death of Au- hea ; her History.
O FFICIAL letter from President Tyler to His Ha- waiian Majesty :
" To His Majesty Kamehameha III., King of the Hawaiian Islands :
" GREAT AND GOOD FRIEND :- I have received a letter and ac- companying documents, which your Majesty addressed to me on the 31st of July last, announcing that in consequence of pro- ceedings of Rear-Admiral Thomas, Commander-in-chief of Her Britannic Majesty's naval force in the Pacific, the flag of your country has been restored to you with all the honors due to the sovereign of a free and independent State.
"I congratulate your Majesty upon this event, and trust that it may be the occasion of continuing and confirming the inde- pendence and prosperity of the Hawaiian Islands, and of con- tributing to the tranquillity of your Majesty's reign.
" I pray God to have your Majesty in His holy keeping.
" Written at Washington the 20th day of November, 1843.
" Your good friend, JOHN TYLER.
" By the President.
" A. P. UPSHUR, Sec'y of State."
"DECLARATION.
" HER MAJESTY, the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and His Majesty the King of the French,
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Honolulu.
taking into consideration the existence in the Sandwich Islands of a Government capable of providing for the regularity of its relations with foreign nations, have thought it right to engage reciprocally to consider the Sandwich Islands as an Independent State, and never to take possession, either directly or indi- rectly, under title of Protectorate, or under any other form, of any part of the territory of which they are composed.
"The undersigned, Her Britannic Majesty's principal Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, and the Ambassador Extraordinary of His Majesty the King of the French, at the Court of London, being furnished with the necessary powers, hereby declare in. consequence that their said Majesties take reciprocally that en- gagement.
" In witness whereof, the undersigned have signed the present declaration, and have affixed thereto the seals of their arms.
" Done in duplicate at London, the 28th day of November, 1843.
" (Signed,) ABERDEEN. /
"ST. AULAIRE."
Extract of a letter from Mr. Richards to Dr. Judd :
" .... We have had the untiring aid of Mr. Brinsmade, not only in making out our originals of the communications to the Foreign Office, but he has spent days and nights in copying for us.
"Should there be any failure in the accomplishment of our plans in Belgium, so that he should not receive recompense from that source, he will in such case be entitled to a handsome re- ward from Government for the aid he has rendered. In relation to the operations of Mr. B. I can say, that last week we had definite promises from heavy capitalists, and if any reliance can be placed in the most business-like men in Belgium, all will be satisfactorily arranged in a week. But we have fully learned to consider words as nothing, till they are written on paper-par- ticularly those which relate to time. In this last respect they are as bad in France and Belgium as they are in Hawaii."
Extract from Mr. Brinsmade's letter to Mr. Judd, dated London, September 14, 1844:
". . . . I hope myself to see you soon after you receive this, as I am fully determined that I will not remain much longer in
I35
Address of Admiral Thomas.
Europe. No person can tell how much I have suffered during the last year and a half from the anxieties and uncertainties at- tending my movements.
" But hoping to have some long evenings for reviewing the scenes which have transpired during our separation, I shall re- main, with unabated regard for you and yours, and all that con-
corns you, Faithfully, Your friend and servant,
" P. A. BRINSMADE."
From Sir George Simpson to Mr. Richards :
" LONDON, November 29, 1844.
" I found Mr. Brinsmade in London, on my arrival, at St. Paul's Coffee House, and still clinging to Belgium hopes and promises. It has, for the past twelve months, been quite evident that nothing tangible would arise out of these negotiations, and I believe he has broken off further communication.
" Mr. Brinsmade pressed me very much to assist him in getting up a joint stock company in this country (England), with a view to the sale of his privileges from the Hawaiian Government, and to the establishment of an import and export trade with the Islands; but I considered it too visionary to be entertained for a moment, and I declined taking any active part in the matter."
Address of Admiral Thomas :
" I have the honor to congratulate your Majesty upon the ar- rival of Consul-General Miller. He is the bearer of those assur- ances of friendship from my sovereign, which I had the pleasure to anticipate and of conveying to your Majesty in July last.
" I am grateful in being allowed this opportunity of expressing to your Majesty how highly I appreciate the attention which has been shown to me during my residence of upwards of six months at Honolulu. And I have now the honor to take leave of your Majesty, with an earnest hope that my visit to your dominions, and the permanent residence of a diplomatic agent from my sov- ereign, may be the happy means of closer uniting our respective countries by ties of amity and commercial advantage.
" May the Divine Providence be pleased to bless your Majesty with health, and grant you to witness for many years the increas- ing happiness and prosperity of your subjects.
"RICHARD THOMAS."
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Honolulu.
Extract from the Polynesian : *
" Agreeably to a general invitation a number of the foreign residents assembled on the evening of February 26, at the house of Dr. Judd, to tender their parting salutations to Admiral Thomas. The guests assembled at eight o'clock, and as the ad- miral entered the avenue the whole house was suddenly illumi- nated, so that darkness was turned to day.
"His Excellency the Governor, Consul-General Miller, the United States Commissioner, the American, French, and Peru- vian consuls, several English naval officers, foreign residents, ladies and gentlemen, the families of the American Mission, and the school of the young chiefs were present.
" The utmost ease, cheerfulness, and kind feeling were mani- fested. The admiral and suite were in high spirits.
" An address was made to the admiral by the American consul, Mr. Hooper, in behalf of the residents; and before he could re- ply, many rich and mellow voices joined in a farewell song pre- pared for the occasion, which was followed by 'Home, sweet home.' Those who were present will not soon forget the inter- esting and deeply exciting scenes attendant upon the farewell salutations to Admiral Thomas."
From this period we may consider the ship of State fairly launched, and her independence acknowledged by three great nations.
Mr. Ricord proved himself a man of talent and an indefatigable worker, crowding the labors of years into months. He prepared a new code of laws, and organized the Government into distinct departments-the foreign, financial, interior, and educational-the last destined for Mr. Richards on his return.
Long pending disputes were yet undecided; and as the Government had been recognized "as capable of sus- taining its relations with foreign powers," it was neces-
* A newspaper published in Honolulu, edited by Mr. James Jackson Jarves.
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Death of Haalilio.
sary to shoot ahead and anticipate the march of the native mind, in order to cope with foreign skill and in- trigue.
Dr. Judd resigned his office as Minister or Secretary of Foreign Affairs, and R. C. Wyllie, Esq., a Scotch gen- tleman, who came in the suite of Consul-General Miller, was appointed to fill it. Dr. Judd was obliged to fill the office of Minister of the Interior, as well as that of Min- ister of Finance, and to control all the departments, as the king and chiefs held him responsible for the acts of all the other officers of Government.
In the midst of the high pressure, in settling unjust and fraudulent claims to large tracts of valuable land, and other vexed matters of law of long standing, there were people found weak enough to stir up discontent among the people, and excite their suspicion and jealousy against the white men employed in Government offices, particularly at Lahaina, where perhaps there might have been a little pique on the removal of the Court from that place to Honolulu.
One Sunday morning in March, 1845, we heard the king's voice calling to us from his veranda and saying, "Mr. Richards has returned, but Haalilio is dead."
A letter to Mrs. Bingham from Mrs. Judd :
" HONOLULU, March 24, 1845.
" MY DEAR MRS. BINGHAM :- Captain Snow, in the Montreal, arrived yesterday morning, returning Mr. Richards in health and safety, and, sad to tell, the lifeless remains of our dear Haalilio. Our very hearts bled, we so longed to greet him again in his own native land, for his own sake, for the love we bore him, and then we had so many cherished plans, in which his accomplishments,- enriched by observation during his three years' travel, were to be turned to great account. The new palace finished and fur- nished, the grounds laid out, the king and queen assuming a
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Honolulu.
position calculated to secure respect, every arrangement made to place Haalilio at his post by the king's side as chamberlain-but alas ! alas ! our hopes are laid in dust. I wish you could have been with us yesterday morning at the palace when Mr. Richards arrived. All the chiefs, old and young, numbering thirty, assem- bled for prayer. It was an intensely sad and interesting scene to us all. The king is perfectly heart-broken, and mourns as David for Jonathan.
"Why did not you and Mr. Bingham return with them? The people are disappointed, as they had been encouraged to expect you with Captain Snow. How glad, how very glad we are to welcome back Mr. Richards. He looks well. Mrs. R. is at La- haina, and Mr. R. goes for her this evening. I trust all the bitterness of their long separation will soon be forgotten in their happy reunion.
"Death is making sad inroads among the rulers and the Mission also. Your old friend Governor Adams is gone. He left his property to Alexander, Leleiohoku, and his Kanaka agent. Auhea* laid claim to a lion's share. Poor woman ! how soon she followed him to the 'silent land.' John Young is appointed premier in her place, and will do much better. You know how it was-she had the office, and honor, and pay, too, but Dr. Judd had to do her work.
" Leleiohoku has signed the temperance pledge, but it is hard work to keep it after so long indulgence. He is to forfeit his fine schooner (his pet) if he breaks his pledge. He has resigned himself into the hands of Dr. Judd, as a dutiful child, and says he is his only friend. It is true, the king and old chiefs have been rather severe in threatening to deprive him of rank as well as property, But then he behaved very badly when he drank, you know. He struck the king and would have killed him, if not prevented. He has had a very severe fever, and in his de- lirium would submit to no one but the doctor.
.
" Old Governor Adams's things were brought down here from Kailua and sold at auction, instead of being thrown into the sea, as you have witnessed on similar occasions. It was a curious medley, such heaps of old military coats, broadcloth and flannels, mouldy and moth-eaten, silk, crape, nankeen, bombazine, damask
*Auhea, Kekauluohi-mother of Lunalilo.
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Kekauluohi Dead.
and velvets all dropping to pieces-material enough to clothe all the people of his village. He left also quite a sum of ready money, which Auhea claims, and very properly, perhaps. She pacified her conscience by giving one thousand dollars of it to support the native schools.
"You can perhaps have some idea of the political turmoil among us. It is the same old story, except that the new Govern- ment, with its naturalized white officers, takes the place of the missionaries between the nation and its enemies. It is very dis- couraging. Every inch of ground, every prerogative for the king, as an independent sovereign, has to be fought for. While unjust claims to large portions of land, and undue influence in the na- tive courts by foreign officers, are being warded off with one hand, the other is just now needed against an attack from disaffected natives, with our good David Malo at their head. He was always a radical. Then again some of our dear friends are afraid we shall not be able to bear so much prosperity. How little we know, sometimes, of what is passing in each other's hearts, or sympathy instead of censure would be called forth.
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