21t5 SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



February 8th. This forenoon we were honored with a visit 

 from his Hawiian majesty, Tamahameha III. As we had the 

 chronometers on board we did not salute him, but paid him, 

 however, every other mark of respect. Tamahameha III, or 

 Kamme, as he is familiarly called, is a son of the celebrated 

 Tamahameha I., and a brother of Liho-Liho, during whose 

 reign idolatry and the taboo system were abolished. He is 

 probably twenty-seven years of age, of a middle height, and 

 rather inclined to be corpulent. His complexion is dark olive, 

 his hair of a jet black and straight, and his countenance 

 mild and interesting. In disposition, he is frank, kind and 

 generous. The people always speak of him as a good man. 

 His manners are perfectly free and agreeable. He was edu- 

 cated under the surveillance of the missionaries, and, besides 

 reading and writing his own language, can speak English and 

 Spanish intelligibly. About two years since, he married the 

 daughter* of a chief of the second rank, but, as yet, he has 

 no children. He is generally attended by a number of favor- 

 ites who join in all his amusements and occupations. His 

 dress on state occasions, consists of a blue coat with epaulettes, 

 white pantaloons and vest, a chapeau, and a sword. At 

 other times, he generally appears in a blue jacket and a blue 

 cloth cap with a gold band around it. He is very fond of the 

 sea, and has a schooner belonging to himself, in which he 

 spends much of his time. He is also fond of all kinds of ath- 

 letic exercises, is an excellent rider, and a good shot. He 

 made us a long visit, and examined every part of the ship. 

 He appears to entertain a high opinion of Americans, and I 

 understand he frequently consults them upon matters of state. 

 The Rev. Mr. Richards, who acts as his private secretary, 



* It is said he married her from love, after the chiefs refused to allow him to marry 

 one of his sisters — a practice which in former times was not considered improper. 



