32 HAWAIIAN GROUP. 



portance that the wife of the king should be of as high blood, if not 

 higher, than any other female in the nation. For this reason, if there 

 were several women of the same rank, the king felt it important to 

 secure them all as his wives, in order that there might be no com- 

 petition, on the ground of rank, for the kingdom after his death. On 

 this account Kamehameha had five wives at the same time. In order 

 to prevent the existence of competitors, it was often thought expedient 

 for the kings to marry their own sisters, although this incestuous inter- 

 course is, in other cases, contrary to the customs, habits, and feelings 

 of the people. The offspring of such a union was deemed of the 

 highest possible rank. 



It is said the present king was desirous of marrying his own sister, 

 Nahienaena, but that this was prevented by the missionaries. 



The public feeling was so strong against the king's having heirs by 

 a woman of inferior rank, that it often caused the children to be put to 

 death in infancy by the high chiefs, in order to avoid any of them 

 laying claim to the throne, or to a higher rank than they were willing 

 to allow them. 



Illegitimate children of the king were almost sure to be put to death 

 in infancy, and sometimes by order of the father. 



The rank of a woman was not materially altered by her marriage to 

 the king. She acquired no authority in the government, and no special 

 rights or privileges, but usually received a present of lands from the 

 king, to be held during his lifetime. On his death, her right to them 

 ceased, although they might, through courtesy, be left in her possession. 

 It will easily be understood, that when a chief has a wife of the highest 

 rank and purest blood, he is naturally an object of jealousy and distrust 

 to the reigning house. 



Under the new constitution the descent is regulated, as has been 

 seen, but great latitude of choice is allowed. The king's heir shall 

 be the person whom the king and chiefs may appoint during his life- 

 time. If there should be no appointment, then the chiefs and House of 

 Representatives shall exercise it ; and I found it the prevailing opinion 

 that their former customs would have much weight in their decision. 



The next heir to the throne has already been chosen, in the person 

 of Prince Alexander, the third son of Kinau, and grandson to Kameha- 

 meha I. In this choice his two elder brothers, who are quite as intelli- 

 gent, have been passed over. The king is married to the daughter of 

 a petty chief. It was a match of affection, and they have no children ; 

 but should he have an heir, it is thought that, notwithstanding their 

 former customs, the low rank of his wife, and the choice already made, 

 her child would inherit. 



