378 OPERATION' OF THE GOVERNMENT. [L^iO. 



him in the executive administration. Lands cannot be 

 alienated without the -consent of the king, and whore there 

 are no persons tc inherit real estate, it reverts to him. No 

 law, at variance with the word of God, can be enacted ; and 

 no man can be punished v. id conviction. 



entatives are i • by the • a national legis- 



re, or parliament ; and there is also a public council, the 

 members of which are the chiefs. No law can be enac 

 without the consent of a majority of the representatives and 

 counsellors, respectively. The king appoints four governors 

 under him, — one for Hawaii, one for Maui and the adjacent 

 isles, one for Oahn, and one for Kauai and the adjacent isles. 

 The supreme court consists of six ju Iges, four of whom are 

 appo by thee ind the other two are 



king, who is th s chief judge, and his premier. Subordi- 

 nate judges are appointed by the governoi 3. Tax-officers re- 

 mmiiisions and authority from the monarch and 

 premier. 



After the adoption of the constitution a new code of laws 

 was established, under which gers, as well as residents 



and. natives, are, amply protected in their persons and prop- 

 erty. Indeed, none of the other groups in Polynesia, all 

 as great security in this respect. The, authorities, in the 

 main, are, very impartial; and an excelleni police has b 



Whenever a vessel is landing her cargo at Hon 1- 

 lulu, two or throe constables, who carry canes as the badges 

 of their authority, are posted, along the wharfs, to keep olF 

 all intruders. The intrigues of foreign agents have occasion- 

 disquieted the country, but as its independence has been 

 1 by France, Great Britain, and the United States, 

 (here can be no immediate danger of an overthrow of the ex- 

 isting government. Should the native population ultimately 

 dwindle away altogether, and the foreign residents be left in 



occupancy of the islands, although they may not seek any 

 more intimate connection with the United States, the 1 

 of ih ■ government, anil the national character, will be decid- 

 edly American. 



