258 
SAN FRANCISCO TO MANILLA. 
It was my first intention here to part with the Flying-Fish, for the 
reports of her commander led me to believe that she was becoming 
unseaworthy. She was, therefore, thoroughly examined; but the 
report made upon her was sufficiently satisfactory to determine me to 
retain her until we had passed through our explorations in the Sooloo 
Seas. She was refitted and put in as good condition as possible for 
service. Captain Hudson superintended these duties, while I had my 
time fully occupied in making the magnetic experiments for the third 
time, and attending to the rates of the chronometers. 
Honolulu showed signs of improvement, but I regretted to perceive 
that during the year the morals of the place seemed to have declined. 
The number of grog-shops had apparently increased, and the sailors’ 
dancing-halls, with their music, were allowed more license than at 
our first visit. Yet, as far as the prompt execution of the law went, 
I did not find the authorities deficient. Indeed, at times, Governor 
Kekuanaoa is rather too precipitate in his decisions, of which we soon 
had an instance. 
During our stay of ten days, the crew T s were allowed in turn, 
recreation on shore. Among the number was Lewis Herron, the 
cooper. In the course of his liberty, he was desirous of entering 
one of the sailors’ boarding-houses, at the door of which his progress 
was arrested by a coloured man, who was on guard with an old 
cutlass, and who threatened Herron with violence if he attempted to 
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, 
