SAN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 275 



enter. This, Herron, though usually a very quiet and orderly man, 

 at once resented ; and the altercation finally came to an angry dispute 

 as to who was the better man. Herron, determined to prove that he 

 was, laid hold of the sentry, overthrew him, took the rusty cutlass 

 away, and struck him with it so as to give the man a slight scratch 

 on the leg. Herron now brandished his weapon in victory ; but being 

 told by the bystanders that it was unlawful to carry weapons, he 

 determined to take it himself to the governor at the fort, and deliver 

 it up. On his way thither, and just before he arrived, he was met 

 by some soldiers, who at once seized and carried him before the 

 governor, with the sword in his hand, which he had refused to give 

 up to any one else. 



The governor had a kind of trial held by himself, and not accord- 

 ing to law, (which provides for trial by jury,) to which he summoned 

 the very man who had caused the quarrel, as a witness, without any 

 formality or oath, and sentenced Herron to fifty dollars fine, and to 

 receive one hundred lashes; while the person who had been guilty of 

 using the arms, received but a nominal fine. One of the officers 

 hearing of the circumstance in the afternoon, went to see Herron, 

 heard his story, and then saw the governor, who promised that the 

 man should have another hearing or trial the next morning, at nine 

 o'clock, and that he should not be punished until I was informed 

 of it. In the morning, however, to my great surprise, I heard that, 

 by the governor's orders, and in his presence, Herron had, at eight 

 o'clock, an hour before the time his new trial was to take place, 

 received twenty-eight lashes. On learning this circumstance, an 

 officer was at once sent to wait upon the governor, to request an 

 explanation of the proceedings, and that Herron might be given 

 up, and held subject to the governor's order, for a proper trial. 

 On receiving the officer, Governor Kekuanaoa declared that it was 

 a misunderstanding relative to his having promised a new trial, 

 and declined giving up the man. In consequence of this, I at once 

 sent a message to demand him, and to state that if he was not sur- 

 rendered, I should be obliged to take him, for I would not suffer him 

 to remain any longer in the keeping of persons who would inflict 

 punishment with so much precipitation. This caused his delivery. 

 Shortly after, I received a letter, telling me that the corporeal part of 

 his punishment was remitted, but demanding the fine. I took this 

 occasion to write the governor a letter, pointing out wherein he had 



