8 HAWAIIAN GROUP. 



England was not the only nation whose ships of war were brought 

 to aid in overawing the natives. A Frenchman, who claimed the title 

 of consul, although not recognised as such by the king, persuaded the 

 captain of a French frigate to insist upon his being acknowledged as 

 a government agent. Thus, while this half-civilized community was 

 struggling to make advances in morals and religion, French and 

 English men-of-war* alternately, and occasionally in concert, did all in 

 their power to break down the laws and regulations by which alone 

 the union of the native barbarism with the worst vices of civilization 

 could be prevented. 



In this state of things it became evident to the king and chiefs that 

 they were in want of information in relation to international law, and 

 they in consequence desired to obtain a competent person to give them 

 advice on that subject. For this purpose they endeavoured to procure 

 a suitable counsellor from the United States. Failing in this attempt, 

 they requested the Rev. Mr. Richards, one of the missionaries, to 

 undertake this duty. 



The missionaries, as a body, seem to have thought it a duty to 

 abstain from meddling with any temporal matters, but Mr. Richards 

 was prevailed upon to serve. As respects the internal policy of the 

 islands, no better guide than this gentleman could possibly have been 

 chosen. But like the other missionaries, he was but little versed and 

 had no experience in the affairs of government. He was unused to 

 the petty squabbling of the foreign officials, and his mind was far above 

 the ignoble task of disputing with the revilers of all law and religion. 



I had the pleasure of becoming intimately acquainted with Mr. 

 Richards, in his private capacity, and enjoyed an opportunity of judg- 

 ing as to the manner in which he performed his public functions ; and 

 I cannot but felicitate the government and people of Hawaii upon their 

 fortune in obtaining the services of one who has made such exertions 

 in their behalf, and who is so well qualified for the responsible situation 

 he holds. 



Mr. Richards had, as missionary, been for years a resident of these 

 islands, and was thus in close connexion with the king and chiefs in 

 their spiritual concerns. That they should have desired his counsel 

 in their temporal affairs, is a strong proof of the affection and esteem 

 with which they regarded him, and is alike creditable to his character 

 and the soundness of their judgment. It was not, however, to be 

 received as an evidence of any undue influence of the missionaries in 

 political questions ; and from a close examination I am satisfied that no 

 such influence exists. Mr. Richards, since his appointment has no 

 voice in council, and is merely an adviser on such questions as the 



