100 VOYAGE TO THE 



CHAP, cargo of this sugar it was hoped would be ready for 

 ■ , exportation in 1827, which was then to be carried to 



Jan. the Cahfornian market, where, as it has already been 

 said, sugar attains a high price. But the Sandwich 

 Islands, until much more advanced in the science of 

 cultivation, will always have to compete with Manilla 

 in the sale of this material. Tobacco, coffee, and 

 spices have been introduced into the islands, and it is 

 to be hoped they will succeed under the fostering 

 hand of the indefatigable individual before mentioned. 

 An attempt was made to encourage the planting of 

 cotton, which was tolerably successful the first year, 

 but for some reasons, which were ascribed to the 

 . rigid observance of the church duties, the labourers 

 were prevented from gathering the crop, and it rotted 

 in the pod. It is particularly unfortunate that the 

 attempt to cultivate this plant, which would be of 

 great advantage to the islands, should have failed both 

 in the Society and Sandwich groups, as it will pro- 

 bably discourage the inhabitants from any further en- 

 deavour to produce it. Salt has been collected from 

 some lakes near the town, and for some time past has 

 produced a small revenue. Hereafter it is likely to 

 be in greater request, for the purpose of curing meat 

 for sea store, or for exportation to Kamschatka, where 

 it is in great demand. Flax of a good quality grows 

 upon Owyhee, and rope for the vessels of the country 

 is made from a species of urtica P As yet, however, 

 the sandal wood is the only material that has produced 

 any revenue of consequence. 



Soon after the Christian religion had been intro- 

 duced into the Sandwich Islands, several of the chiefs 

 were taught to read and write, and were so delighted 

 at the idea of being able to communicate their 

 thoughts to friends at a distance, without the necessity 



