HAWAII AND OAHU. 97 



are principally occupied in fishing and the manufacture of salt, which 

 articles are bartered with those who live in the more fertile regions of 

 the south, for food and clothing. 



Some knowledge of the arts has been acquired, and the mass of 

 the people manifest much ingenuity in the manufacture of various 

 articles for convenience and comfort. A few have shown some skill 

 in carpentry, having acquired this knowledge entirely by looking on 

 and practising. Some have in the same way acquired the art of 

 laying stone; and the large house of Governor Adams, heretofore 

 spoken of, was entirely built by natives, under the superintendence of 

 a foreigner. Others have been entirely erected by native workmen. 

 Some have also become blacksmiths, and comb-makers, and a large 

 number of native women are employed in making palm-leaf hats, 

 which are of good quality. 



Governor Adams intends that his cotton manufactures shall super- 

 sede European goods. Such undertakings cannot but excite interest 

 in all who are looking to the general improvement and civilization of 

 the islands of Polynesia. Like all first attempts at manufacturing, it 

 was attended with difficulties; and as it may possess interest with 

 some, I will give an account of its progress. 



In 1837 an edifice of stone was erected, using mud instead of lime- 

 mortar, for the proposed works, thirty by sixty feet, with a thatched 

 roof, and well lighted with glazed windows. About twenty wheels 

 were made by natives, after a model furnished by a foreign carpenter, 

 except the wheel-heads, which were of American manufacture. A 

 small Chinese gin was employed to free the cotton of the seeds, only 

 a trifle better than using the fingers ; the cards were imported from 

 the United States. Thus prepared, the work went into operation on 

 the 1st of January, 1838. 



Three females, who had made a tolerable proficiency in the art of 

 spinning, and had been taught by the American missionaries residing 

 at Maui, were procured as teachers. Under these, thirty women and 

 girls, from ten to forty years of age, began spinning; they soon equalled 

 their teachers, and many of the younger ones excelled them. 



Two looms and other necessary apparatus were next procured, and 

 also a foreigner to teach the use of them. He was engaged for several 

 months in the establishment, during which time he had under his in- 

 struction four young men, with whom he wove several pieces of brown 

 stripes and plaids, plain and twilled cotton cloth. After this time, the 

 natives were able to prepare and weave independently of his aid. 

 Becoming dissatisfied, however, all left the work, together with the 

 foreigner ; but after some time they were induced to return to their 



vol. iv. * 13 



