PREFACE TO THIRD EDITION.

History of the Hawaiian Islands' to whole work has been re-written with

In presenting another edition of the the public, it is proper to state, that the much care and the history brought down to the present time; so that the present edition comprises quite double the reading matter of the preceding, and in a much less expensive form. To the advantages which the author possessed in preparing the first editions, he has since added the valuable labors of the Rev. Sheldon Dibble, in the same field; a further and more mature acquaintance with the events and characters mentioned, derived both from an extended observation and from his official position since July, 1844, as Director of the Government Press and Editor of the Polynesian, the organ of the Hawaiian Government; and also from the free access allowed him to the entire archives of the government, particularly those of the Foreign Office, through the courtesy of His Excellency, R. C. Wyllie, Esq., Minister of Foreign Relations. Whenever the course of the narrative required him to refer to the transactions and opinions of those who may be supposed to have entertained diverse political views, he has followed the rule of allowing them to be heard for themselves, by quoting freely from first sources, whatever would tend to throw light upon the history of the nation, from whichever point it may be viewed. By these means, he is enabled to present facts and documents from their most authentic sources, and thus place before the reader the clearest data for forming correct conclusions. He indulges the hope that the public will find in the present work sufficient new information with amendments in style and arrangement of the old, as to ensure for it at least an equally favorable reception with that bestowed upon his first endeavor with more imperfect materials.

HONOLULU, OAHU, H. I., May, 1847.

EXTRACT FROM PREFACE TO FIRST AND SECOND EDITIONS.

THE author deems it proper briefly to state the causes, which have led him upon venturing to place before the public, a narrative of a nation so youthful in annals, that constitute claims to the appellation of history in its most dignified sense. If he had been more ambitious of the credit of an historiographer, than desirous of presenting in their true light, the historical incidents of an interesting though humble people, a field of greater events and more storied interest would have been selected. But deeds are not always to be judged by the extent of the territories which gave them origin, or principles, by the degree of the individuals who were the means of their dissemination. Both must be tested by their relative effects. The record of the spread of moral worth and political freedom in a nation, however puny, is deserving of far more attention, than the tales of a lawless ambition, whose spirit is death, and whose path, misery and ruin. The author fain would trust that some of the interest and instruction, which he, himself, has derived from studying the actual condition of heathenism as it existed among the Hawaiian nation, its providential overthrow, and the gradual and increasing ascendency of christianity and civilization, despite many re-actions and unceasing hostility, will be imparted to his readers. The christian community have long looked with kindly interest on this experiment; their gifts, labors and prayers have nourished its growth; but to the remainder of the world, it has appeared more as an imperfectly finished picture, in which light and shade were inharmoniously blended, than as a beautiful illustration of the power of God unto salvation.' In this work, it has been attempted to trace the courses and results of the antagonistic efforts of the several influences which have been brought to impede or accelerate its progress, and also to preserve in a popular form, the records of an age which were fast disappearing. In the traditions and customs of their earlier existence, much will be found to gratify the spirit of curiosity and research; at least, they possess the merit of forming a portion in the general catalogue of human events, while without them, an additional page would be numbered among the already too numerous blanks in the history of mankind.