PACIFIC AND BEERING’S STRAIT. 
419 
partly, perhaps, in consequence of the want of proper materials. A cargo ^^AP. 
of this sugar it was hoped would be ready for exportation in 1827’ 
which was then to be carried to the Californian market, where, as it Jam 
has already been said, sugar attains a high price. But the Sandwich 
Islands until much more advanced in the science of cultivation will 
always have to compete with Manilla in the sale ot this material, 
d’obacco, coffee, and spices have been introduced into the islands, and it 
is to be hoped they will succeed under the fostering hand of the in- 
defatigable individual before mentioned. An attempt was made to 
encourage the planting of cotton, which was tolerably successful the 
first year, but for some reasons, which were ascribed to the rigid ob- 
servance of the church duties, the labourers were prevented from 
gathering the crop, and it rotted in the pod. It is particularly un- 
fortunate that the attempt to cultivate this plant, which would be of 
great advantage to the islands, should have failed both in the Society 
and Sandwich groups, as it will probably discourage the inhabitants 
from any further endeavour to produce it. Salt has been collected 
from some lakes near the town, and for some time past has produced 
a small revenue. Hereafter it is likely to be in greater request, for the 
purpose of curing meat for sea store, or for exportation to Kamschatka, 
where it is in great demand. Flax of a good quality grows upon Owyhee, 
and rope for the vessels of the country is made from a species oi urticaf 
As yet, however, the sandal wood is the only material that has produced 
any revenue of consequence. 
Soon after the Christian religion had been introduced into the 
Sandwich Islands, several of the chiefs w'ere taught to read and write, 
and were so delighted at the idea of being able to communicate their 
thoughts to friends at a distance, without the necessity of disclosing 
them, and free from the risk of misinterpretation, that some of the 
scholars laboured at their task as if the prosperity of the islands 
depended upon penmanship alone. Education in other respects has 
made much slower progress than every well-wisher of the country 
could desire. A few individuals who have had the advantage of con- 
tinued instruction have acquired a limited knowledge of the scriptures, 
S H 2 
