410 POLYNESIAN RESEARCHES. 
Pacific, and have, within the last few years, made 
one or two successful voyages, for the purpose 
of procuring seal skins.—The national flag of 
the islands, (see preceding page,) which is an 
English jack, with eight or nine horizontal stripes 
of white, red, and blue, was given them by the 
British government many years ago, accompanied 
by an assurance that it would be respected where- 
ever the British flag was acknowledged. Although 
they are so expert in the manufacture of their 
canoes, they have made but little progress in 
building and repairing their ships, or in any of the 
mechanic arts. They seem much more fond of 
the pursuits of commerce, and are tolerable adepts 
in bartering. In exchange for foreign articles, 
they not only give sandal wood and salt, but fur¬ 
nish supplies to the numerous vessels which visit 
the islands for the purpose of refitting or procuring 
refreshments. In the months of March and April, 
and of September and October, many vessels, prin¬ 
cipally whalers, resort to the Sandwich Islands for 
fresh provisions, &c.—we have seen upwards of 
thirty lying at anchor off Oahu at one time. The 
farmers in many places dispose of the produce of 
their land to these ships; but in Oahu, and some 
other harbours, this trade is almost entirely mono¬ 
polized by the king and chiefs. There is, indeed, 
a public market, in which the natives dispose of 
their stock ; but the price is regulated by the chiefs, 
and two-thirds of the proceeds of whatever the 
natives sell is required by them. 
This is not only unpleasant to those who trade 
with them, but very oppressive, and retards, in no 
small degree, the industry, comfort, and civiliza¬ 
tion of the people. In return for most of the 
supplies which they furnish to the shipping, they 
