40 
SANDWICH ISLANDS. 
Besides this ship, the king had purchased two brigs of 
the Americans, the price being paid in provisions and san¬ 
dal-wood. A large vessel that had been driven ashore he 
had also exchanged for a small schooner and provisions, so 
that his fleet had become powerful. He turned his at¬ 
tention to trade, and to bringing up his people, already 
expert and fearless in the management of their canoes, to a 
more extended navigation: placing European masters and 
says the whole clearly shows that Tamehameha is recognized as a real king 
by the English government; and seems to think England only waits the op¬ 
portunity to take possession of the Islands for herself. 
We are quite uncertain as to the authenticity of Kotzebue’s report of the 
letter addressed to Tamehameha, but it is most probable that a kind and 
friendly letter or message was transmitted to him through the Governor of 
New South Wales. One of the chiefs permitted us to take a copy of a 
second letter addressed to Tamehameha II., mentioning that the writer, Go¬ 
vernor Macquarie, had addressed his Highness, the King of the Sandwich 
Islands, on the 12th April, 1816, by Captain Wilcocks, owner of the American 
schooner Traveller, who took charge of a case of presents from the Prince Re¬ 
gent of England to the King of the Sandwich Isles. The Governor then states 
that the vessel ordered to be built for his Highness at New South Wales had 
been accidentally delayed, and therefore he sends to his Highness one of our 
own government vessels in charge of Mr. Kent, a young gentleman of merit 
and good nautical abilities. She was schooner-rigged, but no top-masts, of 
45 tons burden, and a fast sailer, completely rigged and well found. The 
Governor then entreats the King to send back the sailors who had navigated 
the vessel to New South Wales, and with good wishes for his Majesty and 
people he concludes. The letter is addressed to 
“ His Highness Tamehameha, 
“ King of the Sandwich Islands.” 
