Visit to the klng.-Hl» gentlemanly 

 bearing-— HI* conversation. 



SANDWICH ISLANDS. 



Interview wiili the king. 

 Saturduv in Honolulu. 



2.W 



sperscd with ti feu of a seat-tot colour*. Above 



the feather* tp p e a w d a large tottciietheM comb, 



i hut confined her straight black hair. Her shoulders 

 were covered with u richly-embroidered shawl of 

 scarlet crape. She fiat in a large arm-chair, over 

 which wart thrown a robo made uf the same kind 

 of yellow feather* ns decked her tiara. Her feet 

 were encased in white cotton stockings and mm'* 

 shoos. She was altogether one of ihe most re- 

 markable-looking personages 1 have ever seen. 



The governor was handsomely dressed ill a 

 uniform of blue and gold. 



The conversation was carried <>n with ease 

 through the interpretation of Mr. Richards, and 

 left upon our minds a favourable impression of the 

 intelligence of the royal family of these- islands. 

 One thing was certain, namely, that, in regard to 

 personal size, they are unsurpassed by any family 

 that has ever come under my noiiee. 



On the 2ml October, 1 received a visit from Mr. 

 Richards, who communicated to me the di.--.itv u! 

 the kinir that I should visit him. In conformity 

 with this request, I called upon him, accompanied 

 by Captain Hudson. Although I iiad departed, 

 after my first visit, highly prepossessed in his fa- 

 vour, i wns not prepared to find liim bo easy and 

 gentlemanly in his manners as he now appeared, 

 lie was alone when he received us, and in a few 

 minutes we fouud that he was able to express 

 himself very intelligibly in English, and was quick 

 in comprehending what was said to him. 



II ■■ was found at one end of the large grass-house 

 built for him by the Governor Kekuauaon. This 

 building is about sixty feet long by forty feet wide, 

 and contain* only one room, which may, however, 

 he divided by moveable screens into several apart- 

 ments. The Hour was covered with mats. The 

 whole was well adapted to the heat of the climate, 

 and the smell of the sweet-scented gross was agree- 

 able and refreshing. 



He received us in a friendly manner. From the 

 representations that had been made to me, I hat! 

 been led to believe that the king was not only dull 

 of apprehension, but had littletlisposition to engage 

 iu or talk of the affairs of government; I fouud 

 htm, on the contrary, exhibiting an intimate ac- 

 quaintance with them. He entered fully and 

 frankly in the discussion of all the matters in rela- 

 tion to which disputes had ariseu between him aud 

 foreign nations; and 1, on the other hand, was desi- 

 rous to elicit his views with regard to the difficulties 

 he had for the last year or two encountered, and 

 learn the feelings he had experienced in the arduous 

 situations in which he had been placed. 



He spoke of the manner iu which foreigners hud 

 obtruded themselves into the affairs of his govern- 

 ment so that no one of its acts was permitted to 

 pass without his being called, in a rude and uncivil 

 manner, to account for it, He staled, that he found 

 great difficulty iu acting correctly ; for foreigners, 

 whom he and his chiefs had treated with every 

 possible attentieu, had, from interested motives, 



• These feathers are among Ihe most celebrated produc- 

 tions of these islands, and some idea of their cost niay be 

 funned, when it is stated thai each bird yields only n few, 

 aioi that some ihounands are required In form a head-<ire«s. 

 The birds (mclllhrcple* paclfica) are taken by means of 

 birdlime, made from tl>e piaonia, and the catching of them 

 U practised n» a trade by the mmuiiAincers. The wearing 

 uf thus* ten then is a symbol of high rank. 



urged measures upon him which he knew to bo 

 wn.ng, and had, in many eases, abused the confi- 

 dence he had placed ill them, lie expressed the 

 strongest desire to do right, and to protect his 

 people from evil influences and (he encroachments 

 of designing persons, by wholesome lawn and regu- 

 lations. 



lie said his consent had been extorted by threats, 

 to measures of which he disapproved, and that 

 there had been bjitauces when lie had been called 

 upon to perform alleged promises which he had 

 never given, for there were some of the foreigners 

 who misrepresented every tiling that took place in 

 their inter* iews with him. 



1 at once pointed out a simple remedy for this, 

 namely, that he should hereafter transact all busi- 

 ness iu writing, nnd have no verbal communication 

 with people of this Htanip, or indeed with any one; 

 telling him that by keeping their letters, mid copies 

 of his own, he would always be in possession of evi- 

 dence of what had passed. I assured him that I 

 eonsii!< ri d hi- - v< rnmeut to have made sufficient 

 progress towards a position among civilized nations 

 to authorize him to require that official business 

 should bo carried on in this manner, aud expressed 

 my belief, tlutt should he adopt this method, the 

 " bullies" of whom he had spoken would give him 

 no further trouble. 



] now found that his principal object in request- 

 ing an interview with me wan, that he might renew 

 and amplify his treaty with the United StaleB, for 

 which purpose he thought it probable that I might 

 have had instructions. When he found that this 

 was not the ease, and that I had no official commu- 

 nication for him, ho was evidently diaappoiutcd; for 

 he appeared most desirous to enter into a close 

 friendship with the United States, and spoke in the 

 highest terms of the kind manner in which he had 

 ever been treated by our consul Mr. Hriusniadc, 

 and the commanders of the United States* vessels 

 of war that had visited his islands. In conclusion, 

 he intimated his hopes that the United States 

 would acknowledge his people as a nation, and 

 enter into a new treaty with him as its ruler. 



All this was well and intelligently expressed by 

 htm, hut the main subject of the conversation, 

 which lasted for three hours, was his regret that be 

 had ever permitted foreigners to interfere with his 

 laws and municipal regulations, and had not rather 

 allowed them to do their worst. The only justifi- 

 cation he could offer to himself for his submission 

 was, that by yielding he had saved much trouble 

 and distress to others. 



Saturday in Honolulu is a gala day, and alt ages 

 of both sexes devote themselves to amusement. To- 

 wards the afternoon, they may be bccii wending 

 their way towards the east end uf the town, in 

 every variety of costume, and borne along in 

 every possible manner. All who have health 

 enough must engage in this day's sport, and every 

 horse is iu requisition. The national taste, if I may 

 bo speak, is riding horses; and the more break- 

 neck and furious the animal is, the better. Nicety 

 of equipment is not thought of: any thing answers 

 for a saddle and bridle, and as for stirrups, they 

 are considered quite unnecessary. By four o'clock 

 the crowd is well collected, and feat* of horseman- 

 ship are practised, consisting generally in those in- 

 voluntary tumblings that inexpert riders are wont 

 to indulge in. The great gathering is on the eastern 



