34 HAWAIIAN GROUP. 



habits, and feelings of the people. The offspring of such a union was 

 deemed of the highest possible rank. 



It is said the present king was desirous of marrying his own sister, 

 Nahienaena, but that this was prevented by the missionaries. 



The public feeling was so strong against the king's having heirs by 

 a woman of inferior rank, that it often caused the children to be put 

 to death in infancy by the high chiefs, in order to avoid any of them 

 laying claim to the throne, or to a higher rank than they were willing 

 to allow them. 



Illegitimate children of the king were almost sure to be put to death 

 in infancy, and sometimes by order of the father. 



The rank of a woman was not materially altered by her marriage 

 to the king. She acquired no authority in the government, and no 

 special rights or privileges, but usually received a present of lands 

 from the king, to be held during his lifetime. On his death, her 

 right to them ceased, although tliey might, through courtesy, be left 

 in her possession. It will easily be understood, that when a chief has 

 a wife of the highest rank and purest blood, he is naturally an object 

 of jealousy and distrust to the reigning house. 



Under the new constitution the descent is regulated, as has been 

 seen, but great latitude of choice is allowed. The king's heir shall 

 be the person whom the king and chiefs may appoint during his life- 

 time. If there should be no appointment, then the chiefs and House 

 of Representatives shall exercise it; and I found it the prevailing 

 opinion that their former customs would have much weight in their 

 decision. 



The next heir to the throne has already been chosen, in the person 

 of Prince Alexander, the third son of Kinau, and grandson to Kame- 

 hameha I. In this choice his two elder brothers, who are quite as 

 intelligent, have been passed over. The king is married to the 

 daughter of a petty chief It was a match of affection, and they 

 have no children ; but should he have an heir, it is thought that, not- 

 withstanding their former customs, the low rank of his wife, and the 

 choice already made, her child would inherit. 



The government, so far as one was established in past times, was 

 mainly of a feudal character, and vested in the various ranks of land- 

 lords, the king being considered as the head. The power of each 

 particular chief was, in most cases, supreme over his own immediate 

 vassals or tenants, and this power was not entirely confined to his own 



