114 ARRIVAL AND LANDING. sitors have considered the most pleasant and fertile, and been accustomed to call the garden, of the isl ands of the group. We dropped anchor at twelve o'clock, in a range with three or four ships in the roads, just as Adams, the pilot, boarded us; and were, at the same time, about announcing our arrival by a salute, when informed by him, that the commander of the fort and all the chiefs were some miles in the country; and that it could not be answered immediately. It was, therefore, postponed, till arrangements on the subject, should be made with the proper authorities. As soon as a boat could be lowered, Lieutenant Dornin and myself were on our way to the shore-he, to apprise the American consul of Captain Finch's arrival, and I, to meet the embraces of our friends. We were two miles off; and, before reaching the entrance of the harbor, saw a boat approaching, in which I recognised Mr. Jones, the consul. Mr. Dornin having a packet for him, we lay on our oars and spoke her. Mr. French, an American merchant, and Mr. Charlton, His Britannic Majesty's consul, were also in the boat. After an interchange of civilities, and the delivery of the package, we resumed our course, and entered the harbor, filled with ships-whalers, merchantmen, &c., and the native craftand exhibiting every appearance of a busy and thriving port. Several stone quays are now built, at different places, along that, which was only a sandbeach, when we left. We landed at one of these, opposite the American consulate; and immediately directed our way towards the mission-house. IMPROVEMENTS IN HONOLULU. 115 There are very considerable changes in the appearance of the town near the water; and very great improvements. The coral platform, along the walls of the fort and adjoining point, which, on our arrival in 1823, was the court end of the metropolis, is now converted to a more appropriate use--that of a dock-yard and kind of depot for naval stores. At least, so I judged, from seeing one or two small vessels on the stocks there, and many others undergoing repairs--a large, two story, store-hourse of stone, &c. &c. The neat wooden building erected at the same place, by the regent Kaahumanu, and occupied, as you recollect, by Lord Byron, during his visit, has been removed into the town, on the level ground, some distance from the water, near Mr. Jones', and fitted with green blinds, a flagstaff, and look-out, stands a conspicuous object, both from the water and on shore, as the "Blonde Hotel," owned by Governor Boki. Besides this, there are many other well-built, European looking structures. Among them a storehouse and office of Mr. Charlton, near the water, at the corner of the fort next the town-and a very large and convenient establishment, consisting of warehouse, shop, counting room, and other apartments, belonging to Mr. French. Indeed every appearance indicates an advance in the importance and business of the place. The arrival of ships seems, now, so much an every day occurrence, as scarce to attract attention, except among the gentlemen in business; and when we landed, the name and character of the Vincennes were not yet generally known on shore. No suspicion of my arrival was entertained by my former associates, till we he had nearly reached the mission houses; when we met Rev. Mr. Clark and Dr. Judd, of the last reinforcement to the mission, and shortly after, Mr. Ruggles, with our friend Mr. Hunnewell, still engaged in mercantile pursuits at Honolulu. My first call I felt due to Mr. and Mrs. Bingham; and, therefore, made my way to the door of the old, wooden house, opening into the rooms they occupy. From Mrs. Bingham's exclamation, in an inner apartment, on hearing my voice, and Mr. Bingham's hurried entrance, I ascertained, that we had taken them by entire surprise--which Mrs. Judd verified, as she rushed into the room, from an adjoining part of the house. You, my dear H, can better imagine what my feelings, and what theirs were, for a time, than I describe them. There was a mingling of pain with the fullness of our joy, which, perhaps, all have experienced in meeting those they love, after a long separation; and, for which, Cowper well accounts, when he resolves it into a necessity, interwove with our natures and our condition— that no earthly happiness shall be without its alloy. At the end of a half hour, and after partaking of some refreshment, Mr. Dornin returned to the village and on board ship-I having made arrangements for a boat towards evening. It would be impossible to give even an outline of the topics of our conversation, they were so numerous, so varied, and so incongruous-embracing missionaries, chiefs, and people-friends in all parts of THE MISSIONARIES. 117 the world scenes of joy and scenes of sorrowevents past, present, and to come; and calling into exercise ten hundred feelings of joy and sadness, of hope and apprehension, of thanksgiving and prayer : and in such power, as to rouse to excitement many of the strongest affections of the heart. After an hour or two spent in this manner, I prepared to return on board ship. Mr. Bingham would have accompanied me to call on Captain Finch and my fellow-officers, but it was becoming late--the ship three miles distant--and the captain had sent to ask of him the favour of a translation into the Hawaiian language of the President's letter, and some remarks of his own in an address to the king, to be in readiness for an audience with the government, as soon as the necessary arrangements could be made. On my way to the town, I called on Mrs. Chamberlain and Mrs. Shepherd, who live in a couple of neat, stone cottages, near the printing office, and on Mrs. Clark, Mrs. Ruggles, and Mrs. Green, at Mr. Ellis' house. Mr. Green is at present on the N. W. Coast of America, on an exploring visit among the natives there. I saw none of the chiefs or people that I knew. The king was out riding--Governor and Madam Boki up the valley toward the Pari-and Kaahumanu, the regent, at her country house, at Manoa. Expresses had been immediately sent, in the various directions, to inform them of the arrival of the Vincennes. The ex-queen, Namahana, died two or three weeks ago; and Governor Adams, of Hawaii, and the Princess Harieta, and Governor Hoapiri, of Maui, only returned to their respective residences-after attending her during her sickness, and at her funeral-a few days ago. I reached the ship just before dark; and, thus, have at once furnished you with an account of my first day at Oahu. LETTER VIII. RECEPTION OF CAPTAIN FINCH AND PARTY, BY THE KING AND REGENT. U. S. Ship Vincennes, Port of Honolulu, Ar daybreak, yesterday, we fired a gun for the pilot, and the boats of the shipping at present here; and were towed into the harbor, during the calm of the morning; and, before breakfast, safely moored in an open and pleasant berth. At the request of the captain I went early on shore, to learn from Mr. Jones the arrangements made for the firing of a salute, and the reception of himself and officers, by the king and chiefs. And having ascertained, that the salute would be expected and returned at 12 o'clock, and the audience held directly after, I went to the mission house to apprise Mr. Bingham of the necessity of his being prepared with the translations at that time; and, also, to deliver an invitation from Captain Finch, to such of the missionaries as might have it in their power to |