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they are indispensably necessary; hither those employed in this business repair in the months of April and May, to recruit their crews, refresh and adjust their ships; they then proceed to Japan, and return in the months of October and November. It is necessary that these ships, after their cruise on Japan, should return to the nearest port; in consequence, a large majority resort to these islands, certain here to obtain any thing of which they may be in want; a small proportion, however, of these vessels have proceeded for supplies and refreshments, in the fall, to the ports on the coast of California; but as the government of Mexico have now imposed a duty of two dollars and one eight per ton, on every ship, that shall anchor within their waters, whether in distress or otherwise, this will, of course, prevent our whale ships from visiting that coast, and the Sandwich Islands, will then remain as the only resort for them, after their cruise on the coast of Japan.

As the government of the Republics of South America become settled, and peace established on their shores, our commerce, with these nations, will undoubtedly increase, and the result will, of course, have a tendency to bring more commerce to the islands; here, all vessels bound to China, Manilla, or the East Indies, will stop on their passage, and the more the advantages which these islands afford to such vessels, are known, the more they will become frequented.

When we reflect, that only a few years since, the Sandwich Islands were not known to exist-when but lately they were visited only by a few ships bound

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to the Northwest Coast of America, and these merely stopping to purchase a few yams or potatoes, and that now there annually come to this remote corner of the globe, forty thousand tons of American shipping, with the sure prospect, that in no long protracted period, this number will double, we are led to conclude, that the Sandwich Islands will yet be immensely more important, to the commerce of the United States, which visits these seas, than they have been.

You, Sir, will have seen at this part of Honolulu, a little of the extent and importance of our commerce, and you will be able to form some estimate of the advantages which these islands afford; and it is hoped you will conceive it proper, to urge on our government, the necessity and propriety of extending a strong arm of protection to those citizens, who adventure to this remote part of the world. I say protection-for I conceive so large a commerce, and so far removed from the laws and restraints of civilized society, requires to be regulated by the appearance, if not the actual force of power.

The annual, if not semi-annual, visit of one of our ships of war, to these islands, is conceived to be necessary; and would, no doubt, be attended with the best advantages, affording to our commerce in these seas, protection, assistance, and security.

For this station, a sloop of war would be sufficient for every purpose required; and, if so arranged as to visit these islands in the months of March, April, and May, and again in October and November, every desired object would then be effected, and the result be, that our merchantmen, and whalers would

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come to the islands with perfect security; their tarry here made safe, and many abuses and inconveniences with which they are now shackled, would be done away. The very knowledge that a ship of war would semi-annually be at the Sandwich islands, would be of infinite service to our commerce in general, which enters the waters of the North Pacific

ocean.

Since my residence on these islands, as an officer of government, I have, repeatedly, in the discharge of my official duties, felt the want of protection and aid, from the power of my government. I have been compelled to see the guilty escape with impunity; the innocent suffer without a cause; the interests of my countrymen abused; vessels compelled to abandon the object of their voyage, in consequence of desertion and mutiny; and men, who might be made useful to society, suffered to prowl amongst the different islands, a disgrace to themselves and their country, and an injury to others whom they are corrupting and encouraging to do wrong. From such sources, our commerce, in this quarter of the world, has suffered much; and I have the confidence to believe that the regular visits of our ships of war, to these islands, (their commanders being clothed with sufficient power to act) would have the best tendency to regulate all things and secure to our commerce in this quarter every thing of which it now so importantly feels the want.

I would suggest to yourself the propriety of recommending to our governnient that a ship of war be detached for the protection of American commerce in

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these waters, that she be required annually to visit the Society and Marquesas Islands, and, semi-annually, the Sandwich Islands; that in the intermediate periods when she might not be employed at such islands it shall be required that she visit the ports of California and Mexico, to afford protection to our commerce, and citizens in that quarter, where they have for a long time been suffering under the abuses of an illregulated government.

I might point out to you many more, and important reasons, why our commerce in these waters requires more protection-they are constantly coming under my observation, and I daily see the propriety and necessity that our government should act as I have suggested to you; but I will forbear to trouble you longer with this report, which, though superficial, I hope will (with information you may obtain from other sources) be sufficient to answer the object for which you addressed me on the 19th inst.

Be pleased to accept for yourself the assurance of the respect and esteem with which

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INVITATION BY GOVERNOR BOKI.

LETTER XVIII.

A RIDE TO THE COUNTRY HOUSE OF GOVERNOR BOKI, AND EVENING ENTERTAINMENT BY THE KING.

AT the close of the commercial transactions on Monday, Governor Boki informed Captain Finch and myself, that the king, princess, and queen regent, were to spend the next day with him and Madam Boki, at a cottage occupied by them in the valley of the Nuuanu, directly inland from the port-adding that he should be happy to see us, and any of the officers who might choose to take the ride, en famille with them. A trip to the celebrated Pari or Pass of Kolau, within a couple of miles of the residence of the governor, being yet an unaccomplished object with us, we readily accepted the invitation; and a delightful day indeed, it proved to be.

The captain, Lieutenant Stribling, and myself, landed immediately after breakfast. My companions were supplied with horses by Mr. Jones and Mr. French; and I, through the kindness of the owner, with a beautiful animal, the property of Madam Halileo, wife of the king's private secretary. The palace yard had been appointed as a place of rendezvous with the chieftains; and, on mounting, we rode there to join them.