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so rapidly and acquired such wildness then fired, and the natives, shouted as to become troublesome; destroying Kanaka no Beritane,'—we are men of food, breaking down inclosures, and Britain. on one occasion, goring four natives to death. They were finally driven to the mountains. The women were to be allowed to eat of their flesh, though only on the same condition as dogs; the animal of which the men ate was to be entirely tabooed from them.

Kamehameha, Kaahumanu, Davis and Young staid on board the Discovery with Vancouver to the last moment, and manifested much emotion at his departure. The English seamen, although they now had it at their option to depart, chose to return on shore and remain. The wealth, distinctions, and families, which they possessed, joined with the sincere friendship of their munificent patron and preserver of their lives, were more powerful inducements than the love of their native land, where a sailor's hard lot would have awaited them.

It en

On the 21st of February, a great meeting of the chiefs was held on board the Discovery, for the purpose, as Vancouver writes, of ceding Hawaii to His Britannic Majesty, but as the natives, with more justice, state, to request the king to protect our country.' The conduct of Vancouver had done away all The visit of Vancouver was beneficial the bad impressions of Cook; the chiefs to both races. With his own countryfelt grateful for his kindness and the in- men, it placed the character of the naterest he manifested in their welfare. tives in a better light, and made the They had also been led to believe that rising genius of their chief known to the other countries looked with envious eyes world. The knowledge that a powerful upon their domains and trouble would nation felt a deep interest in them, was ensue, unless protection was offered by a check both upon any malpractices the greatest naval power. But the they might be disposed to commit, and prominent motive with them was selfish- the evil designs of the whites. ness; in return for the compliment they lightened the policy of Kamehameha, expected to derive real advantages; that strengthened his resources, and renderEngland would aid them in uniting all ed his remaining conquests easier and the islands under the power of Hawaii more readily secured. Foreigners in and a consequence in the eyes of the his successes felt their own interests to world be imparted to them. Speeches be promoted, and what under other cirwere made on the occasion by Kame- cumstances would have been looked hameha, Kaiana, Kalaimoku, Keeaumo- upon as a violent usurpation, came to be ku and others, in which these expected viewed as a matter of expediency and advantages were set forth; the chief advantage, and even of real utility to topic was the necessity of chastising the islanders themselves. their contumacious enemies. The chiefs, as if apprehensive of yielding more than they intended, expressly reserved to themselves the right of sovereignty, and the entire regulation of their domestic concerns. In case of disturbance from other powers, they were to be considered nominally as subjects of Great Britain. The English evidently exceeded the right granted them; Mr. Puget went ashore, hoisted the English colors and took possession of the island in the name of His Britannic Majesty, leaving an inscription on copper to that effect in the house of the king.* A salute was

Before leaving, he learned of an attempt of the natives of Kauai, instigated by a few renegade seamen, to get possession of the brig Hancock, of Boston. It was to have been done by scuttling her, and before she sunk, to haul her upon the reef, under the pretence of saving the cargo, which was to have been plundered. The design was frustrated. The natives of the leewardmost island, unrestrained by the power of any

nic Majesty's Sloop Discovery, in Karakakooa bay, and in the presence of George Vancouver commander of said sloop, Lieut. Peter Puget commander of his said Majesty's tender Chatham, and the other officers of the Discovery, after due consideration, unani*On the 25th February, 1794, Kamahamaaha, mously ceded the said island of Owhyhee, to His king of Owhyhee, in council with the principal Britannic Majesty, and acknowledged themselves chiefs of the island assembled on board His Britan-subjects of Great Britain.'- Vancouver, 3d vol.

dominant chief, had become more bold and was entertained by a dance, in in their villany. The dissensions con- which six hundred women, dressed in tinuing to increase, Captain Brown, of figured tapas, took a part. Their voices the Butterworth, a London ship trading were pleasing, motions graceful, and at the islands, took Kahekili to Kauai in not of that licentious description he had his vessel. By his assistance Kahekili witnessed at Hawaii. The recitations was enabled to place affairs in a more were varied and harmonious. On the favorable situation. middle of March, 1794, he took his final departure.

Vancouver touched again at Kauai,

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Vancouver left behind him a charac- rank was to have been his, and he ter which the most distinguished of his profession might be proud of possessing. Had the intercourse of those of his countrymen who succeeded him been conducted upon the same benevolent principles, the islanders would have been unalterably bound to English interests and feelings. His memory is still dear to those who knew him. Many chiefs, long after his departure, looked for his revisit, which he had given them reason to suppose would take place. As the attachment was mutual, it is probable that his untimely death alone terminated his intentions. He promised the chiefs to return, accompanied by missionaries to teach them a better religion, and artisans to aid them in civilization. A high

would have resided among them, either a resident with authority from his government to protect and promote their interests, or by his own judgment to direct their councils. His plan appears to have been, to have christianized and civilized them, fostered and protected in his relations by the English ministry. The result would have proved beneficial, and civilization been advanced twenty years. The islanders might then have been confirmed in their English predilections, and the wish of Meares eventually fulfilled, that: one day, half a million of human beings inhabiting these islands may be ranked among the civilized subjects of the British empire.'

CHAPTER VII.

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Establishment of harbor fees - Kamehameha's

was ultimately victorious, and slew him 1794, Honolulu harbor discovered Murder of in an engagement at Kalauao in 1794. Messrs. Brown and Gardner, January 1, 1795- Brown was master of the English ship Capture and recapture of the Jackall and Prince Butterworth. Le Boo-Troubles in Kauai-Maui, Molokai and The same year he disLanai subdued, 1794-Oahu invaded-Kaiana's covered and surveyed the harbor of defection, rebellion and death-Visit of H. B. M. Honolulu, which he called Fairhaven. ship Providence, Captain Broughton- Marines slain at Niihau--Kamehameha's proposed conIt was first entered by the schooner quest of Tahiti-Completes his conquests-Kauai Jackall, tender to that ship. On the 1st submits-Humane policy of the conqueror-Gov- of January, of the ensuing year, 1795, ernment-Courtly etiquette-Laws-Internal regulations-Foreign policy-Trade-Preparations Brown was in this harbor with two vesfor conquest of Kauai-1802-Great mortality sels, the Jackall and Prince Le Boo; Character of Kaamualii-His preparations-Final the Butterworth had sailed for England. settlement of difficulties-Arrival of Lisiansky1804-Young, Governor of Hawaii-Attempt to The American sloop Lady Washington, convert Kamehameha - Sydney bay convicts Captain Kendrick, was lying in the harForeign settlers-Number-Campbell-Death of Davis, 1810-Kamehameha's wealth-Queens-bor at the same time. Captain Brown Liholiho, his heir-Birth-Character-King re- on his return to Honolulu from fighting turns to Hawaii-Proposed royal alliance between in the ranks of Kalanikupule, fired a Tahiti and Hawaii--Public works-Attempt of Russians in Kauai, 1814-Kotzebue, 1816-Birth salute in honor of his victory. A wad of Kauikeaouli-Nahienaina-Voyage to China- from one of his guns entered the cabin desire to hear of the Christian religion-Death, of the Lady Washington and killed CapMay 8th, 1819-Sacrifice of dogs-Native account tain Kendrick, who was at dinner.of his funeral obsequies. Captain Kendrick was buried on shore, and the funeral service at his interment was the first christian rite of the kind witnessed by Hawaiians. They looked upon the ceremony as sorcery to compass the death of Captain Brown. The grave was rifled the same night to procure the winding sheet. The Lady Washington sailed soon after, leaving Captain Brown at Honolulu, who furnished Kalanikupule with fire-arms and contracted a great intimacy with_him.* From the assistance he had rendered Kalanikupule, and the general good feeling which a long intercourse had engendered, he felt secure from any treachery on his part, and abode with him in an unguarded manner. A petty chief suggested to Kalanikupule a plot to cut off Captain Brown and his vessels. At first he opposed the treachery, but finally consented, and a plan was concerted to capture both vessels.

On the departure of Vancouver, warlike operations were resumed; the superior discipline and equipments of Kamehameha's forces, led by chiefs of tried courage and military skill, assisted by foreigners, and headed by the best general of the group, gave the invaders a decided advantage.

Keao and Kahekili united their forces at Oahu, and sailed with a large number of canoes for Hawaii. The naval force of Kamehameha, the flag ship of which was the schooner Britannia, armed with three brass cannon taken from the Fair American, met them off Kohala, and in an engagement destroyed or dispersed the combined fleet. The vanquished chiefs fled to Maui. Kahekili, worn down with age and misfortunes, foreseeing the ultimate triumph of his foe, pleaded for a truce. In a message to Kamehameha, in reply to a challenge to battle, 'Wait till the black tapa covers sary of the new year, the crews were me,' said he,' and my kingdom shall be ashore, engaged in pleasure, and in preyours.' His death soon took place.- paring stores for their voyage. Taking Keao of Kauai, unmindful of their com- advantage of the defenceless condition mon enemy, and exasperated by a plot of the vessels, the natives flocked off. to assassinate him, laid claim to his do- Brown, and Gardner the other comminions, in defiance of the legal rights mander, were instantly murdered; one of his nephew, Kalanikupule. Keao at by being precipitated through the hatch first met with some success, and several with sufficient force to dislocate his foreigners in the service of Kalanikupule neck; the few remaining individuals were slain. But the latter, with the were wounded, and the possession of assistance of Mr. Brown and his crew, * Dibble, pages 68 and 69.

On the anniver

the decks secured. The pirates then took the vessels out of the harbor, into Waikiki bay. The seamen ashore receiving intelligence of their capture, assembled and pushed off in their boats; by a vigorous attack, the natives were overpowered, and driven overboard; having regained possession of the vessels, the survivors of the crews sailed without delay for China. It is remarkable that these piratical attempts should have been committed within two miles of the spot of, and not long after the execution of the murderers of Lieutenant Hergest and Mr. Gooch.

assault. Believing themselves secure, they defied their enemies with insulting gestures and bravados. A field-piece, which Young had brought to bear upon them, knocked the stones about their heads, killed Kaiana, and so disordered their ranks that they broke and fled. The forces of Kamehameha charged; in the onslaught many of the Oahuans were slain, and the rest pursued with great slaughter, until they were driven to the end of the valley, which terminates in a precipice of six hundred feet, nearly perpendicular height, forming a bold and narrow gorge between two forest-clad Kamehameha supported in his ambi- mountains. A few made their escape; tious desires by the last words of Kahe- some were driven headlong over its kili, set out with all his disposable force, brink, and tumbled, mangled and lifeless said to have amounted to sixteen thou- corpses, on the rocks and trees beneath; sand men, to subjugate the neighboring others fought with desperation and met islands. Young, Davis and a few other a warrior's death, among whom was foreigners, expert in the use of fire-arms, Kalanikupule, who gallantly contested accompanied him. Maui, Lanai and his inheritance to the last. The bodies Molokai were quickly overrun, suffered of the slain were sacrificed, and their all the horrors of savage warfare, and heads impaled upon the walls of the heiau were effectually subdued. Oahu, to at Waikiki. Three hundred perished which the heir of Kahekili had retired, in the fight; but numbers escaped to was his next aim. In February, 1795, Kauai, among whom were two high he prepared for this expedition, and chiefs. This decisive victory put the landed upon that island with one detachment of his army, leaving the remainder under the command of Kaiana, with orders to follow without delay. His arrival was impatiently awaited, that an attack might be made upon the enemy, his designs. who had made preparations for a vigor- In January, 1796, Capt. Broughton,* ous defence. Kaiana, thinking this a commanding H. B. M. sloop Providence, favorable opportunity to crush his rival, of sixteen guns, anchored at Kealakeaembarked for Oahu; and avoiding the kua bay, where he remained three weeks camp of his king, deserted with all his in amicable intercourse with the natives. forces to Kalanikupule. He was aware His wants were liberally supplied by the that if Kamehameha could be destroyed lieutenants of Kamehameha. Leaving by their combined exertions, there would this place, he spent a few days at Lahaibe no chief left of sufficient energy and na, where the same hospitality awaited resources to compete with him, and the him. He then anchored at Waikiki authority to which Kamehameha aspired bay, where he received a message from would be his. But his treachery proved Kamehameha, inquiring if he should sahis ruin. Kamehameha, nothing dis- lute the ship with his heavy guns. Propirited by the news of his defection, visions were abundantly sent on board, marched to the valley of Nuuanu, where and the usual presents of feathered the two chiefs were encamped. Their cloaks. His next visit was to Kauai, position was on the steep side of a hill, where he saw Kaumualii, who was enabout three miles in the rear of the pre-deavoring to suppress an insurrection, sent town of Honolulu: a stone wall pro- and urgently solicited a supply of powtected them in front, and the steepness of the ground availed them against an

conqueror in possession of all the group, except Kauai and Niihau. These he prepared to attack, and embarked for that purpose; but a violent wind drove him back, and obliged him to suspend

*

Broughton's Voyage of Discovery, p. 35. London: 4to; 1804.

der. Broughton exerted himself, though | ship sailed on the 21st. This is the last vainly, to appease the hostile parties. of the wanton murders which stain the earlier Hawaiian annals.

In July, after a cruise to the north, he returned to Hawaii; and being in want of water, was obliged to pay at the rate of one hundred nails the hogshead, it being brought five miles in calabashes, from a scanty source. He found the cattle and poultry left by Vancouver had increased rapidly. This was the period of the rebellion of Namakeha, brother of Kaiana, who had overrun a part of the island, and was fast gaining ground. In one battle a European was killed. The officers of Kamehameha were in great trepidation, but vigorously endeavored to stem the efforts of the traitorous chief, while they sent despatches to inform their king of the unexpected revolt. At the same time, Broughton sailed for Oahu, where he arrived on the 25th of July. The island was suffering all the miseries of protracted warfare; provisions were exceedingly scarce; many natives had starved to death, and some had been burnt alive by their chiefs for stealing food to supply their famishing families. Kamehameha was said to have already lost six thousand of his troops; the losses of the enemy had been far greater. Probably at no period had depopulation been going on at a more rapid rate, especially at the leeward islands. War, famine, pestilence and oppression, with all the attending evils of an unsettled community, bore heavily upon the nation.

At Kauai all provisions were tabooed, except for powder. Broughton finding it impossible to obtain supplies from the larger islands, sailed, July 28th, for Niihau, to procure yams. On the 30th, he sent a party ashore in a cutter, with only two armed marines. The crew being incautious, were suddenly attacked; the marines killed for the sake of their accoutrements; the botanist knocked down, and, with the remainder, narrowly escaped being murdered. Their situation being seen from the ship, assistance was sent. The detachment fired upon the natives, without, however, harming any. Having landed, they burned all the houses within their reach, and destroyed sixteen canoes. Not being able to obtain further satisfaction, the

It was Kamehameha's desire, after completing the conquest of Kauai and its tributary island, to have sailed for Tahiti, and carried his arms to the south of the equator. This scheme was suggested by some natives of that island with him. It would indeed have been a singular spectacle, to have witnessed this triumphant chieftain embarking the flower of his forces on board of his fleet of canoes, or tiny vessels, chartering perhaps some of a larger size, for an expedition against scarcely known lands, thousands of miles distant. The design was worthy of his ambition; and had he been able to have extended his conquests over the boundaries of Polynesia, he might have sighed for new worlds to conquer,' and the petty leader of a barbarian tribe have become master of the Pacific. But his destiny was to found a less extended, though better consolidated power.

News of the reverses in Hawaii having reached him, he promptly embarked for that island, where his presence soon decided the contest. Namakeha, the head of the conspiracy, was slain and his followers subdued.

This was the last war in which he was actively engaged; all opposition to his authority was now over. His original territory, was Halaua, a large district on the northeast coast of Hawaii, which he inherited from his parents. During the lifetime of Kalaniopuu, he acquired a portion of Kona; and it was the war which arose in consequence of the attempts of his cousin to dispossess him, that developed his martial energies, and step by step, led him on until he was master of the group. His talents were no less conspicuous in establishing his power, than in acquiring it. Towards the conquered families he practiced no unnecessary severity; the principal, by alliances or gifts, were firmly bound to his interests. He espoused Keopuolani, grand-daughter of Kalaniopuu, who became his prisoner at the conquest of Maui. As she was a lineal descendant of the ancient kings of Maui and Hawaii, this marriage strengthened

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