On Saturday the whole mission family were entertained on board the Vincennes. Captain Finch, after receiving the ladies, and welcoming them to his cabin, was obliged to excuse himself, and, with Mr. Bingham as interpreter, go on shore to meet the king and Governor Boki in a private conference respecting the claims of the American merchants upon the native government-to secure payment of which, he had tendered his services, through the American consul, to the respective houses interested. The interview continued the greater part of the day; and, on returning to the ship in the evening, he expressed great regret, that I could not have been with him. The development of native intellect, and evidences of a capacity for the management of financial and governmental affairs, exhibited on this occasion, he considers decidedly the most interesting that have yet come under his notice. He was greatly delighted with the dignified and business-like manner in which the king, as well as Boki, entered upon the exposition of their commercial relations; and with the intelligence and ability of both, in the discussion of the subject, during the inter 212 COMMERCIAL ARRANGEMENTS view. From Mr. Bingham I learn, that the captain improved the opportunity of giving the king much important advice, as a private friend, in reference to his fiscal affairs: urged upon him the importance of keeping himself and government free from pecuniary embarrassments, of having a treasurer qualified to preserve his accounts, in an intelligible manner, &c. &c. The conference was resumed yesterday morning, in the presence of all the chiefs; and an investigation of accounts took place, which resulted in the acknowledgment of about $50,000 due to different American merchants and ship masters, with a pledge, on the part of the chiefs, to liquidate the whole within the ensuing nine months. The debts are principally those contracted by the late king Riho Riho, and by Taumuarii of Tauai previous to his death. Sandal wood, for the payment of the same claims, was collected after the visit of Captain Jones, but appropriated by Boki to new purchases, without the knowledge of the regent and king. The payment now to be made is also to be in sandal wood, and Maaro of Maui, who accompanied Gov. Hoapiri and the princess to Oahu, has already, by the application of his arithmetic to the case, assessed the amount requisite, on the different Islands, according to the population and quantity of wood on each, to be collected by a general tax. An American merchant, now in business at Honolulu, and who was here previous to the arrival of the missionaries in 1820, informs me, that the advance in the commercial importance of the islands within AND INCREASE OF TRADE. 213 the ten years past, has not been less than seven hun-' dred per cent. Upon this point, however, I will refer you to the following official letter of Mr. Jones, addressed to Captain Finch. Dear Sir, United States Consulate, Sandwich Islands, In your communication of the 19th inst., received at this Consulate, you have requested me to give you such information as I may be possessed of, relative to the state, extent, value, and wants of the American commerce of these islands, in consequence of the government of the United States having evinced a lively interest for its better protection, and more successful prosecution. In complying with this request, I shall endeavor to be as concise as possible; and give you such information only, as shall be conceived most desirable for our government to be informed of. Since the discovery of the Whale Fishery on the coast of Japan, and the independence of republics of the western coast of North and South America, the commerce of the United States at the Sandwich islands, has vastly increased; of such importance have these islands become to our ships, which resort to the coast of Japan for the prosecution of the whale fishery, that without another place could be found possessing equal advantages of conveniences and situation, our fishery on Japan would be vastly contracted or pursued under circumstances the most disadvantageous. The importance, also, of the Sandwich islands to ships bound from the western coast of North and 214 OFFICIAL LETTER South America to China, or Manilla, has of late years, been fully tested; the number of such vessels, which visit these Islands, is annually increasing, and they have been found to afford them every advantage for repairing, refreshment, &c.—and, generally, a market for parts of cargoes, which such vessels commonly have remaining unsold at the time of leaving the coast of Western America; these vessels also generally obtain from the islands a freight of sandal wood, either for Canton or Manilla, which is quite an inducement, of itself, to attract them to these isles. The commerce of the United States, which resorts to the Sandwich islands, may be classed under five heads, viz. First, Those vessels which trade direct from the United States to these islands, for sandal wood, and from hence to China and Manilla, and return to America. Second, Those vessels which are bound to the Northwest Coast on trading voyages, for furs, and touch here on their outward bound passage, generally winter at these islands, and always stop on their return to the United States, by the way of China. Third, Those vessels, which on their passage from Chili, Peru, Mexico, or California, to China, Manilla or the East Indies, stop at these islands for refreshments, or repairs, to obtain freight, or dispose of what small cargoes they may have left. Fourth, Those vessels which are owned by Americans resident at these islands, and employed by them in trading to the Northwest Coast, to California and Mexico, to Canton and Manilla. Fifth, Those vessels, which are employed in the whale fishery, on the coast of Japan, which visit semi-annually. OF THE AMERICAN CONSUL. 215 Of the first class of vessels, which visit these islands annually, the number may be estimated at six, the amount of tonnage, eighteen hundred, and the value of vessels and cargoes, at three hundred and twenty thousand dollars. Of the second class, the number may be estimated at five, the tonnage one thousand and the value of vessels and cargoes, two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Of the third class, the number may be estimated at eight, the tonnage two thousand five hundred dollars, and the value of vessels and cargoes, at five hundred thousand dollars. Of the fourth class, the number may be estimated at six, the tonnage one thousand, and the value of vessels and cargoes, two hundred thousand dollars. Of the fifth class, the number may be estimated at one hundred, the tonnage, thirtyfive thousand, and the value of vessels and cargoes, at four millions. Thus making the commerce of the United States, which annually visits the Sandwich Islands, amount to one hundred and twenty-five vessels, estimated at forty thousand tons, and valued at five millions two hundred and seventy thousand dollars. This estimate is made from the average number of vessels, which have visited these islands during the last three years; and will, I believe, be found to be very near the extent and value of our commerce here. The importance of the Sandwich Islands to the commerce of the United States, which visits these seas, is, perhaps, more than has been estimated by individuals, or our government been made acquainted with. To our whale fishery on the coast of Japan, |