THE .SAXDWICH ISLANDS. 241 



and lord of the fortress of Hana-rura, in this 

 island, which is the most important of all, on ac- 

 count of its harbour, is prepared to take it for 

 himself, and buys ammunition and ships on his 

 own account. He is perfectly agreed, and bound 

 by intimate friendship, with Teimotu, of the war 

 race of Owhyee, and brother of queen Kahumanna, 

 who is to have the island of Mowee for his share. 

 The king of Atooi will retain his hereditary king- 

 dom, as an independent prince ; and the natural 

 heir to tlie kingdom, the weak, dull-minded Lio- 

 Lio, (the Prince of Wales of the EngUsh,) nephew 

 of the last king of Owhyee, son of Tamaahmaah 

 and the lofty queen Kahumanna, before whom his 

 father only is allowed to appear uncovered, will 

 be limited to the hereditary island of Owhyee. 

 No foreigner, though there are so many among the 

 most powerful chiefs, and vassals of the kingdom, 

 can make any claim to govern the natives. 



Notwithstanding these approaching political 

 changes, the Sandwich islands will remain what 

 they are — the free port and staple of all the navi- 

 gators of these seas. But should any foreign power 

 conceive the foolish idea of taking possession of 

 them, the jealous vigilance of the Americans, who 

 possess the almost exclusive commerce of these 

 seas, and the secure protection of England, would 

 not be wanting to frustrate the undertaking. 

 The conquest might indeed be effected. The fort 

 in the back-ground of the harbour of Hana-rura, 



VOL. III. R 



