HAWAIIAN GROUP. 



fortune in obtaining tiie services of one who has made such exertions 

 in their behalf, and who is so well qualified for the responsible 

 situation he holds. 



Mr. Richards had, as missionary, been for years a resident of these 

 islands, and was thus in close connexion with the king and chiefs in 

 their spiritual concerns. That they should have desired his counsel 

 in their temporal affairs, is a strong proof of the affection and 

 esteem with which they regarded him, and is alike creditable to his 

 character and the soundness of their judgment. It was not, however, 

 to be received as an evidence of any undue influence of the missiona- 

 ries in political questions; and from a close examination I am satisfied 

 that no such influence exists. Mr. Richards, since his appointment, 

 has no voice in council, and is merely an adviser on such questions 

 as the council may consider as demanding an acquaintance with the 

 usages of civilized nations. 



The council, in which the government is in fact vested, is composed 

 of thirteen persons ranking as chiefs of the highest order, four of 

 whom are females. 



When any subject demands their consideration, the facts and 

 reasons, pro and con, are fully laid before the council, in a compre- 

 hensive and simple manner, and the vote and decision of its members 

 are had, without any further recourse to Mr. Richards. The subject 

 is always acted upon with great deliberation, and frequently with 

 much discrimination and judgment; for not only are the chiefs a 

 strong-minded people, biit the female members of the council are also 

 remarkable in this respect, and all appear desirous of doing what is 

 right and proper. 



An anecdote of what occurred at one of their deliberations, will, I 

 think, illustrate their simple mode of coming to a proper decision, and 

 show that when they are made to understand that any act or regu- 

 lation will prove unjust, they are quite desirous to revise their own 

 intended vote. 



When they had under consideration the law relative to the descent 

 of property, and previous to its final passage, each was, as usual, 

 asked whether it should become a law. All had assented to its passage 

 except one of the female members, who, when the interrogatory was 

 put to her, laughed, but gave no answer. On being pressed, she said, 

 " The law to which you have assented, has it not passed? My vote 

 is not then needed." But, supposing from this, that she had reasons 

 for withholding her vote, they pressed her to speak, when she asked. 



VOL. IV. 



