Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Kamehameha lll --- (Part 5)

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Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands
" Keepers of the Culture "
A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands
As told by the ancients--
Kamehameha lll --- Part 5
by Darlene E. Kelley
December 5, 2000

http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374

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as told by the ancients
Kamehameha lll -- part 5.

From this time on, exciting events took plae in the Sandwich Islands.
there are always men in public life who unsurp or assume authority. The
English gentleman. Lord Paulet, a commander in the British navy, was one
of these. There had been some unpleasant association connected with
several Britishers who had been unfair in their dealings with the
Hawaiian government. One of these disturbances came the crisis of Lord
Paulet's attempt to seize the Islands in the name of the British Crown.
In the meantime, Richards had gone to the United States and to England
to place before the authorities in those countries the matter of
diplomatic relations between the Sandwich Islands and the foreign lands.

On the tenth of February. 1843, the British frigate, Carysfort,
commanded by Lord Paulet, arrived in Honolulu. No salutes were given
from te ship as was the usual custom. The officials on shore realized
that something was wrong. Representatives of the King went to the
Carysfort to pay their respects, but they were not permitted to go on
board the vessel.

That night the Captain of a United States ship, the Boston, received a
letter to the effect that the commander of the Carysfort was planning an
immediate attack on the Islands. At this time William Richards,
Haalilio, the Hawaiian diplomat, and Sir George Simpson, were in England
negotiating for recognition of the independence of the Islands.

In the morning the Carysfort was cleared for action. the English
families were taken to a brig in the outer roads. The Americans and
others, having but short notice, placed their funds and papers on board
the Boston and other American vessels, planning to retreat to them if
hostilities began. Everyone was fearful, and there was great alarm and
intense excitement in all sections of Honolulu.

Dr. Judd was the official treasurer of the government. Fearing a sizure
of the national archives, he removed the important papers from the
government house and concealed them in the royal tomb. In the tomb at
night, by the lantern, using the coffin of Kaahumanu as a writing table,
the doctor kept the reord for the government.

Communications were exchanged between the King, his council, and the
commander of the Carysfort, and resulted only in intensifying the
situation. The King was urged to cede the Islands at once to the United
States and to France jointly. This he refused to do. Finally, with the
advice of the council, he decided to make provisional surrender to
England. He saw no other way to prevent actual battle and loss of many
lives. He trusted im the friendship of England, and he believed that,
when matters were fully explained, his Kingdom would be restored to him.
So, on February 25th, the King stood on the ramparts of the fort and
addressed the people.

" Where are you, chiefs, people and commons from my ancestors, and the
people from foreign lands! I make known to you that I am in perplexity
by reason of difficulties into which I have been brought without cause;
therefore have I given away the life of our land, hear ye!
But my rule over you, my people, and your privileges will continue, for
I have hope that the life of the land will be restored when my conduct
shall be justified."

The deed of the cession was then read to the people, and Lord Paulet
read his proclamation, after which the Hawaiian flag was lowered by
native men. The British colors were hoisted over the fort, and the flag
over the British consulate was struck.

For five long months the Sandwich Islands were under the conrol of Lord
Paulet and his officers. But happier days were ahead. Word of the
incident finally reached Rear Admiral Thomas of the British Navy, who
was located at the time at Valparaiso. Lord Paulet had overstepped his
authority. Admiral Thomas sailed immediately for the Islands, bringing
with him the assurance that the King's confidence in England had not
been misplaced. Upon his arrival he declared at once that the King's
sovereignty would be returned to him. He said that the Queen of England
desired Kamehameha lll be treated as an independant
soverign, leaving adminstration of justice in his own hands.

It was a great occasion when, on the open plain not far from the town,
in the park which today in Honolulu is known as Thomas Square, the
restoration ceremony was held. It was one of Honolulu's perfect, sunny
mornings. The Marines from the Admiral's flagship, the Dublin, and from
the Carysfort and the Hazard, were drawn up in line, with a battery of
fied pieces on the right. The King, escorted by his troops, and
accompanied in his carriage by Admiral Thomas arrived on the grounds. As
the Royal Hawaiian Standard was hoisted, a salute of twenty-one guns was
fired from the battery. The Hawaiian flag was then raised over the fort
and on Punchbowl Hill. Salutes were fired from both forts and from four
man-o-war which were in port. Admiral Thomas read a lengthy declaration,
which announced and verified the restoration of the Island Kingdom to
Kamehameha lll as the sovereign of the Sandwich Islands. History was
written that bright morning in the hearts of men of many nations.

At one o'clock a thanksgiving service was held in the Stone Church
[Kawaiahao]. The King addressed the congregation. He told the people
that, as he had hoped, the life of the land had been restored. He said
that, the country from that time would be governed according to the
constitution and laws. At the close of his address, which the people
received with great rejoicing, a holiday of ten days was announced and
the community began a happy time of celebration.

As years went by, a civilization patterned on American and European
standards was built up. The King and the people followed the leadership
of white men in establishing and consolidating the government. Many
leading men in the time of reconstruction were from Massachusetts. The
judicial procedure and many of the statute laws were taken from that
state. The words of the Massachusetts constitution. " To the end that
this may be a govenment of laws and not ofmen." was the ideal which the
men from New England sought to impress upon the Islands. Courts were
organized, and trial by jury was finally established. Hawaii has a
judicial history older than the majority of the states. The printed
decisions of the Supreme Court of Hawaii, which began in the reign of
Kamehameha lll. compare well with those of any state. A new constitution
was adopted in 1852, calling for a legislature of two houses to sit in
separate chambers. The nobles were to be appointed by the King for life
and the representatives elected
by the people.

The rapid development of California opened a new market for the products
of the Islands. Agriculture was pushed forward. Wheat and sugar were
sucessfully grown and exported to the United States, A foundry was
started in Honolulu, and plans were made to esablish a savings bank. The
whaling industry brught many ships to the Islands and a good return to
the treasury.

Month by month ships from foreign lands brought supplies to Honolulu.
The people of the Islands had a choice of food such as other countries
had. Old newspapers, carefully preserved in the Territorial Archives,
tell in long columns of advertising what citizens of Honolulu and
outside islands were supplied with; " For sale, Merrimac prints, white
flannel, checked gingham, swiss spot muslin, fringed parasols, ladies
embroidered handkerchiefs, bags, hats, silk cravats and ladies black
elastic hose. " The grocer advertised; " Pickles, catsup, pie fruit,
dried apples, jams, fresh clams, English mustard, olive oil, halibut
fins, tongues and sounds, extra quality champaigne, cider, butter,
cheese, currents, crackers in tins, sperm candles, lamps, whale oil,
sardines, corkscrews, knives, forks and clocks."

There was a steadily increasing need for workers and artisans of all
descriptions; 
" Wanted, twelve journeymen carpenters. A farmer who understands
ploughing and farming operations generally." Undre ythe head of "
Medical " an advertsier stated; " The undersigned invites the attention
of Physicians, planters, and public generally, to our stock of American,
English and French drugs, imported directly for their special use from
Europe and the United States. Particular attention will be given in
putting up medicine for sea use. " A newspaper announced that the King
had received a gift frm a local jewler of a massive gold ring,
beautifully chased, and a highly creditable work of art.