16 HAWAIIANGROUP. 



consul contrived to turn the intervention of Captain Laplace to his 

 ovsrn personal advantage, as vrill presently be seen. 



The promulgation of this manifesto, and the exorbitant demand 

 with which it was accompanied, produced great consternation at Ho- 

 nolulu, and throughout the island of Oahu. The foreign residents 

 were in alarm for their property, which was exposed on the one side 

 to the dangers of a bombardment, and on the other to the pilfering 

 of the natives ; the natives were dismayed at the demand of a sum 

 they were unable to pay ; while the missionaries, with their wives 

 and children, were the objects of a proscription, from which, the 

 American consul was informed, their national flag should not be a 

 protection, nor guard them from insult and injury. 



Until the demands of the French captain should be complied with, 

 the port of Honolulu was declared by him in a state of blockade, and 

 no advices were allowed to be sent from it except with his knowledge. 



The conduct of the foreign residents, at this juncture, was most 

 extraordinary. So far from aiding, by their advice and countenance, 

 the government under whose protection they had been living and 

 making fortunes, they organized a committee to look to their own 

 safety in the threatened crisis, formed a company of minute-men, not 

 to act against the invaders, but against the natives ; and actually ap- 

 plied to Captain Laplace for the loan of arms and ammunition, to be 

 employed against those to whom they were in so many ways indebted. 

 They thus took part against the native government, which they de- 

 serted in its utmost need ; and it is with regret that I am compelled 

 to state that the Americans as a body did not form an exception, but 

 that some of them left the native rulers to struggle as they best could 

 with a powerful enemy. 



The missionaries who were proscribed, declined to involve the king 

 and chiefs in further difiiculties by giving advice, which, coming 

 from them, would have been obnoxious to the French commander, 

 but silently awaited the suffering which they seemed called upon to 

 undergo. 



The regent, Kekauluohi, and the governor, Kekuanaoa, succeeded 

 after some negotiation in obtaining a delay of the threatened hostili- 

 ties, until the king, who had been sent for, should arrive from Maui, 

 or until a sufficient time should be allowed for his so doinar; and 

 Haalilio was sent on board the friorate as a hostage, for the execution 

 of the treaty they were required to sign. The time which was thus 

 allowed to intervene, was spent on the side of the foreigners in creating 



