408 
VOYAGE OF THE POTOMAC. 
[August, 
took. but sparingly of the two last; but appeared not displeased 
to witness the enjoyment of others ; although the motion of the 
vessel must have been to them a little unpleasant. They retired, 
as usual, at an early hour. Before they left the table, however, 
our band performed several pieces of sacred music ; but after they 
had retired, airs of a more lively character, and perhaps better 
adapted to the hilarity of the occasion, were tastefully executed. 
The company were landed in the same style which distinguished 
their reception ; the marines on deck, and the men on the yards, 
still paying compliment to his majesty's departure ! Certainly, a 
few years ago, the King of the Sandwich Islands little thought of 
ever being thus honoured by a power so peculiarly situated as 
ours ; and whose very political existence was not thought of ! It 
is certainly a singular and rare occurrence, to see a power (or the 
agent of a power) just risen into political importance in the great 
world of nations, stretching out the helping hand, and, by its 
countenance, bringing forward a little nation of islands ; adding 
importance to its government, even in their own eyes, by the 
complimentary ceremonies paid to them. It seems like the 
strong arm of vigorous youth leading the weak and tottering child. 
From the time of the king's arrival at Honoruru to the last 
moment of the frigate's stay at the islands, his majesty was almost 
constantly on board, and associated much with the officers. He 
was alternately in every part of the ship, from one end to the 
other ; now forward, smoking ; then, in the ward-room ; next in 
the cabin, with the commodore ; conversing on the affairs of his 
island, and receiving much good advice to guide him in the ad- 
ministration of it ; ever asking questions, and always apparently 
interested. On these occasions he was always dressed en citoyen. 
Our tailors made one or two coats for him'; and his appearance 
was always very genteel. 
On one occasion, about twenty Northwest Indians, belonging to 
one of the vessels, came on board the frigate by the commodore's 
invitation ; they were dressed in their native costume, with their 
blankets, bows and arrows, &c., and performed one of their na- 
tional war-dances. Their gesticulations were often wild, and the 
expression of their countenance ultra savage, while their howls 
and shrieks were astounding and piercing in the extreme. The 
king gazed upon their performances with an interest bordering on 
