VOYAGE TO THE 
held with the civilized world, could hardly have been anticipated ; and 
we hope it may not prove too rapid to be advantageous to the country, 
which has now several expensive establishments to maintain, and ex- 
travagant ideas to satisfy, with means evidently diminishing, if not nearly 
exhausted. The treasures accumulated by Tamehameha, and the supply 
of that precious wood which has been so instrumental in bringing the 
islands into notice, have been drained to meet the expenses of ruinous 
purchases which have materially contributed to the apparent show of 
grandeur and prosperity above mentioned. The sandal wood, it is 
known, requires many years to arrive at a fit state for the market, and 
its cultivation not having been attended to, the wood is now becoming 
scarce, while the debt of the nation has considerably increased. During 
our visit, in order to avoid the expense attending the collection of 
this wood, it became necessary to levy a tax upon the people of a pecul, 
or 133 lb. each, which they were required to bring from the mountains, 
under a penalty of four dollars, and to deposit with the authorities at 
Honoruru for the purpose of liquidating the debt of the nation. The 
greater part of the wood brought in was small and crooked, and only fit 
for the use of the Jos houses in China, where it is burned as incense, 
but the consumption of it there is diminishing in consequence of an 
order for its disuse in those places of worship. The odour of the sandal 
wood of the Sandwich Islands is very inferior to that of Malabar, Cey- 
lon, and other parts of India. With the exception of the profits arising 
from the sale of sandal wood, of salt, and from the port dues, and from 
the advantage derived from merchant vessels visiting the islands for 
refreshments, there is no revenue of consequence ; certainly none that 
is at all adequate to meet the expenses of the nation. 
The chiefs, foreseeing the approaching crisis, are anxious to avail 
themselves of any prospect of an increase of revenue. Thus attempts 
have been made to manufacture sugar from the canes which grow very 
abundantly and in great luxuriance in the islands ; and I sincerely 
hope that Mr. Marini, who has hitherto been of the greatest benefit to 
the government of Woahoo, may succeed in the mill which he was con- 
structing for this purpose during our visit. But machines of this nature 
have already cost a very large sum, and have not hitherto succeeded. 
