38 H A W A I I A N G R O U P. 



were seldom disturbed. Self-interest must have pointed out this 

 course to the chiefs, and it not only prevented distress throughout the 

 different islands, but mitigated the evils of the frequent changes that 

 were occurring from one cause or another. The dispossessing a 

 tenant of his lands, also took away nearly all the personal property 

 which might have been acquired from the lands, either directly or 

 indirectl3^ 



The greatest confusion and changes took place at the deaths of the 

 chiefs or landholders, the right of the fief descending to heirs, who, as 

 a matter of course, had followers of their own, and almost invariably 

 dispossessed the old agents and put their own favourites in their places. 



On the death of a king, these changes of course affected the whole 

 kingdom ; and on the demise of a chief, whatever territory had been 

 subject to his sway. Under the present government the feudal tenure 

 still exists, but it is greatly modified. 



The new laws define the rights of the different classes, and prescribe 

 the rules by which each class shall be governed. 



Officers are also appointed to see that the regulations are observed, 

 and to assess damages according to law when the rights of one class 

 are invaded by those of another. 



No tax can be now laid, neither can any property be seized, not 

 even by the king, except by express provision of the law, and no 

 landlord dispossesses his tenants of their fief The right of tenure is 

 declared perpetual, except being subject to forfeiture for non-payment 

 of rent. The right to fix the amount of rent is regulated by law, and 

 the people have a voice in the legislature, so that no new tax can be 

 laid without the assent of their represetitatives. 



These are great modifications, which one would suppose must have 

 been found immediately effective; but the evils intended to be 

 remedied are but partially removed, owing to the fact that the officers 

 who are employed are ignorant, and fear to thwart the interests of the 

 chiefs and others. These evils, as the natives improve and become 

 more familiar with their laws and rights, must entirely vanish. Even 

 if the abuses should continue, they can be of no great extent ; for the 

 number of the superior lords of the soil is reduced to two, of whom 

 one is the king. 



The taxation under the old kings was sufiiciently regular ; it was 

 annually assessed by the king's agents appointed for that purpose, and 

 fluctuated but little. It did not extend below the ills or plantations, 

 which were taxed as follows : 



