310 



Future prospects of the 

 Hawaiian islanders. 



SAN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. Departure from Honolulu. 



wish it. The power on which they must become 

 dependent hereafter, is that which is to be esta- 

 blished in Oregon and California; and, adapted as 

 they are to supply all the products of the tropics, 

 they will become a valuable appendage to those 

 states; but I deem the idea entertained by many, 

 who suppose they ever can become so powerful as 

 to command those states, to be a mistake. So far 

 as the consumption of a small amount of manufac- 

 tures go, and the convenience of our whaling fleet, 

 but no farther, they will be beneficial to the United 

 States. In this relation, the character of the go- 

 vernment becomes a source of solicitude to us. It 

 is the interest of the United States that they should 

 maintain the neutrality that they seek to establish, 

 and should not be permitted to fall into the hands 

 of any other power. 



I am rather disposed to think, that, in the pro- 

 gress of civilization in the South Seas, this group 

 will be considered of less importance than it now 

 appears, and instead of its being looked to as a 

 point of attraction, or a place wherein to obtain 

 information and supplies, it will be only visited by 

 whalers for recruiting. Their growth has already 

 arrived at the greatest extent to which it can ever 

 rench. A direct communication with Oregon and 

 California will do away with the necessity of inter- 

 course through the islands; they must, consequently, 

 be left to their own resources to maintain trade; 

 and when California and the Oregon territory can 

 afford the whalers equal advantages, which, when 

 settled, they will do in a few years, the advantages 

 derived from this source will be withdrawn. Un- 

 fortunately for these islands, a fictitious importance 

 has been ascribed to their geographical position, in 

 the belief that much political ascendancy in the 

 Pacific must accrue to the nation which may possess 

 them; this state of opinion has been brought about 

 by the exertions of the American missionaries, who 

 have been the means of raising the natives so 

 rapidly in the scale of civilization, and from whose 

 success our countrymen have acquired much influ- 

 ence. This ascendancy, however, has been partly 

 the means of provoking a sectarian war, which has 

 brought about much trouble, and been the cause 

 of great distress both to the king and people. These 

 troubles have probably been of some advantage to 

 the people, and afforded the means of increasing 

 their wealth, ard causing a demand for their pro- 

 ducts, which, though trifling as to amount, yet in 

 such a small community has been sensibly felt, and 

 has enabled them to obtain many advantages they 

 could not have had otherwise. I have some doubt 

 whether the Hawaiian Islands can ever become an 

 independent nation by the exertion of their own 

 people, since they have unwisely invited foreigners 

 to reside among them, and given them equal rights 

 and privileges with natives. Endeavours are now 

 making to introduce foreign labourers and capital, 

 which, although proceeding from a disposition to 

 advance and develop the resources of the islands, 

 will have a tendency to injure the native Labouring 

 population. The introduction of foreign labour 

 will necessarily bring with it foreign habits and 

 custom, which the natives are, even now, too prone 

 to imitate ; and the examples that are set before 

 them are generally, if not always, of the worst 

 description. 



The inducements held out to the king and chiefs 

 to make large grants of land to foreigners, have 



been great ; but such grants can never be carried 

 into effect without endangering the very existence 

 of the government and people. In all cases that 

 came within my knowledge on the islands, the ob- 

 ject of the majority of foreign residents was solely 

 to increase their own wealth ; and on the accumu- 

 lation of a sufficient amount, they withdraw from 

 the islands, taking their capital with them ; and 

 this will always be the case. So far, therefore, as 

 their influence goes, instead of enriching the island- 

 ers, their exertions have in some degree had a 

 contrary effect, and the result does not justify those 

 engaged in mercantile pursuits, in attributing the 

 advancement of the islands to themselves; on the 

 contrary, they leave very little but evil habits and 

 vices behind them. Few foreigners have made 

 any permanent improvements, and when they have, 

 they pass into the hands of others, to the exclusion 

 of the natives, who are looked upon and treated as 

 slaves. 



It is impossible for a disinterested person to re- 

 side any time among these natives, without imbibing 

 a strong interest in the progress of their institutions, 

 and the development of their government. In the 

 Hawaiians are seen many things to condemn ; but 

 they have, on the other hand, many good qualities, 

 which their religious instructors are endeavouring 

 by every means in their power to foster and de- 

 velop. In taking leave of them, I cannot recall a 

 single instance in which they did not conduct them- 

 selves towards us with a full belief that they were 

 acting right; and I feel rejoiced to say, that during 

 all our intercourse with them, no incident occurred 

 to mar the harmony which existed on our first 

 arrival. I am, indeed, fully persuaded that with 

 proper attention and forbearance no difficulties will 

 ever occur. One thing, however, ought always to 

 be borne in mind on visiting this island, viz. that 

 too much credit must not be given to those who 

 will on your first arrival endeavour to impress on 

 you their own views of the character of the people, 

 and of those who have been their benefactors, and 

 are constant in their exertions to promote the 

 welfare of those they live among. The natives and 

 the latter class are far better able to judge what 

 the islands require or stand in need of than any 

 casual visiter, or he who may be a sojourner only 

 for a few weeks. 



I shall always think with pleasure and satisfac- 

 tion of the many friends we left in the Hawaiian 

 Group ; and I am fully satisfied, that, with few 

 exceptions, and those growing out of a mistaken 

 zeal, our country has just reason to be proud of 

 the advance these islanders have made within the 

 last twenty-five years in civilization, morals, and 

 religion; an advance that has been almost wholly 

 the work of our citizens, either at home or abroad, 

 the one in furnishing the means, the other in giving 

 the instruction. 



The expedition had become so much identified 

 with the history of these islands during our stay, 

 that we were made familiar with all the village 

 scandal. Few who live in such small places are 

 aware how unfavourable an impression they make 

 upon visiters, and the bad light in which they ap- 

 pear, by this habit of talking of each other; what- 

 ever may be the terms on which they associate to- 

 gether, or however discordant the materials of 

 which the society is composed, they would do well 

 to avoid showing their uncharitable feelings, or 



