session of by the natives. Krymakoo, however, with a body of followers
from Woahoo, overthrew the rebels. The chief being permitted to
choose the manner of his death, desired tliat he might be carried to sea,
and be drowned by having a weight fastened round his neck. In
addition to this attempt of the Eussians to separate Atooi from the
kingdom, it was supposed that America was also desirous of forming a
settlement upon one of the islands. Eio-Eio foreseeing that occasional
rebellions might arise in his dominions, through the interference of
foreign powers, determined on a voyage to England to have a personal
interview with the king, under whose protection the islands had been
placed by Tamehameha, and also, perhaps, from a desire to see the
country, which furnished articles so superior to the manufactures of his
own dominions.
The death of Eio-Eio and his queen, it is well known, occurred in
this visit to England. Their bodies were conveyed to the Sandwich
Islands by Lord Byron, in H. M. Ship Blonde, and lodged in a house
built for the purpose, where they still remain*. Lord Byron having
given the chiefs, in Boki’s words, “ good advice,” and having placed the
crown upon the head of Kiukiuli, the brother of Rio-Eio, and seen the
government confided to Krymakoo as regent, quitted the islands about
ten months before our first arrival.
Previous to the death of Tamehameha, several European houses
appeared in Woahoo, Vessels and warlike stores had been purchased with
sandal wood. The navigation of the Pacific became more general in consequence
of the return of peace, and the islands were more frequently
visited. The abolition of the taboo had already produced an entire change
in the state of society, and frequent interview's with foreigners created
amongst the inhabitants a desire for dress and for luxuries, which was
increased by the visit of the chiefs to England. Thus improvement
advanced, as might have been expected under such advantageous cir-
* I n 1827, some o f th e chiefs had been persuaded that it was improper to k eep the
bodies above ground, and these beautiful coffins covered with crimson velve t and silver
we re about to be lowered into th e earth, as a commendable mortification of pride, when
they were prevented by th e timely arrival o f a gentleman, from whom this account was
derived.
cumstances as those in which the Sandwich Islands were placed. At C H A P .
• . _ the period of our visit there were •i n "WTXTo a1h oo_ s eve— raIl respectabto lIe
American merchants, in whose stores were to be found all the necessary
articles of American manufacture, the productions of the China market,
wines, and almost every article of sea store. There were also two hotels,
at wliich a person might board respectably for a dollar a day; two
billiard rooms, one of which was the property of Boki; and ten or a
dozen public houses for retailing spirits. The houses of the chiefs were
furnished with tables and chairs, and those belonging to Kahumana
with silk and velvet sofas and cushions. Not contented with the comforts
oflife, they latterly sought its luxuries, and even indulged m its
extravagances. Kahumana filled chests with the most costly silks of
China, and actually expended four thousand dollars upon the cargo of
one vessel, Boki paid three thousand dollars for a service of plate as
a present for the king, notwithstanding he had other services in his possession
; one of which was of expensively cut glass from Pellatt and
Green in London.
This progress of luxury was attended by an equally remarkable
change in the civil and political arrangements of the country. At the
period of our visit the king was always attended by a guard underarms;
a sentinel presented his musket when an officer entered the threshold
of the royal abode; soldiers paraded the ramparts of a fort mounting
forty guns; and “ all’s well” was repeated throughout the town during
the night. The harbour in the spring and autumn was crowded with
foreign vessels, as many even as fifty having been seen there at one
time ; five thousand stand of arms were said to be distributed over
tlie island; three hundred men w'ere embodied and dressed in regimentals
; and the Sandwich Island flag was daily displayed by five brigs
and eight schooners. The islands had already received consuls from
Great Britain and the United States; had concluded treaties of alliance
with them ; and we have just heard that their spirit of enterprise has
induced them to fit out, and despatch an expedition to take possession
of some of the islands of the New Hebrides.
This state of advancement, considering the remoteness of the
situation of these islands, and the little intercourse they have hitherto
S I I
J a n .
1S27.