]2 HAWAIIAN GROUP. 



printed to enable them to learn the Hawaiian language. When, how- 

 ever, mass was first publicly celebrated, the converted natives in gene- 

 ral took an aversion to that mode of worship, as it appeared to them 

 a step backwards towards their ancient idolatry ; and the very cir- 

 cumstance which, had they continued heathen, might have been an 

 inducement to adopt, served now to alienate them from it. 



No serious disturbances in relation to religion occurred until 1830, 

 when the Catholic missionaries were considered to have been engaged 

 in promoting the attempted rebellion of Lilika. The Catholics, for 

 this reason, were associated in the minds of the rulers with the oppo- 

 nents of good order and the violators of the laws. The chiefs, in con- 

 sequence, became jealous of their religion, and of their attempts to 

 promulgate their doctrines. Whatever may have been the truth of the 

 suspicion of the interference of the Catholic priests with the affairs of 

 government, there can be no doubt that the proceedings which followed 

 were dictated by reasons of state, not by sectarian religious feelings. 

 It was determined to expel the priests from the island, and they were 

 sent to California, at the expense of the government, in a vessel fitted 

 out for the purpose. 



No further attempt was made by the Catholics to propagate their 

 doctrines in these islands until 1836, when the Rev. Mr. Walsh landed 

 secretly. When his calling became known, he was ordered to depart; 

 but, after various excuses for delay, finally obtained permission to 

 remain, on condition that he would not attempt to propagate his 

 religion. 



In November of the same year, Captain Russell, of H. B. M. Ship 

 Acteon, made a treaty with Kamehameha III. One of its articles 

 provided for the protection of British subjects and property ; and under 

 this treaty with a nation whose established religion is Protestant, it 

 was resolved that an attempt should be made to introduce Catholic 

 missionaries again, by making use of the British flag, and by claiming 

 that at least one of them, an Irishman, came under the protection of its 

 provisions. 



The brig Clementine arrived, under British colours, having a number 

 of Catholic priests on board, who landed. Great excitement was at 

 once produced in Oahu, and they were forthwith ordered to re-embark 

 and depart in the same vessel. This they refused, but were compelled 

 by threats to comply, no force, however, being used. Although under 

 English colours, the vessel was owned by the French consul ; but he, 

 when asked by the authorities of Oahu to interfere, denied that he had 

 any control over the vessel, asserting that she had been chartered. 



The Catholic priests having been compelled to re-embark, the vessel 



