AUTOBIOGRAPHY BY KAPIOLANI.

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to drink, from its pure fountain, of the waters of eternal life.

We returned to the shore, with the whole party, in the evening; and reflected, with sincere regret, that we were, for the last time, enjoying the hospitality of the counsellor and his wife. Fire-works and rockets had been ordered to be exhibited from the ship; and, at the time appointed for them, Kapiolani, Captain Finch, Mr. Bingham, and myself, took seats on a platform of stone, at the side of the house next the bay. After the show had ceased, the captain, in preparation for his departure, requested Mr. Bingham to express to Kapiolani the very great pleasure his visit to her had afforded him, and to present his warm thanks for the hospitality and kindness he had received; adding, that he had not, since he left America, been entertained more cordially, or felt himself more happy, than under her roof.

Mr. Bingham having some writing to finish before going off to the ship, I remained with him after all the boats had left; Kapiolani having engaged to send us in a canoe, whenever we might wish to go on board. In the room which Mr. Bingham occupied, I perceived some manuscript books in the native language, on a table; and, on inquiring what they were, was no little surprised to learn, that it was an autobiography of this chief woman, intended to embrace the history of her own life and times; and in which she has proceeded, already, through several interesting and not unimportant chapters.

It was nearly twelve o'clock before Mr. Bingham was prepared to go to the ship. On entering the principal house again, we found the family at evening prayers; where the farewell I was called to take was truly painful.

LETTER LXII.

PRIVATE LETTER OF CAPTAIN FINCH TO THE KING.

U. S. Ship Vincennes, Port of Honolula,

November 21, 1829.

AFTER an unusually boisterous passage of two days from Kearakekua, we entered this harbour again on the morning of the 19th instant.

When at sea, off Hawaii, one evening, Captain Finch, on going into the cabin, found Madam Boki at the writing-table, busily occupied with her pen; while the king, at the same time, was dictating a letter to his private secretary. There was no other person in the cabin; and it appeared, from the following notes, that they were improving the opportunity, to express their gratitude for the pleasure of the voyage, soon to be brought to a close by our return to Oahu. I furnish you with a translation of the notes of each.

U.S. Ship Vincennes, November, 1829. "Affection for you all, the officers of this ship of war, and for you, Captain Finch.

"Great, indeed, is my gratitude to you, for your excellent attention in conducting us thus far. Very sincere, also, is my commendation of you all; and of the well-doing of your people toward us.

"Now, on account of my affection for you, as you are about to return to your own country, while we shall abide in our own land, with grateful remembrance of you all, I give this testimony of my love to you, Captain Finch, and to the officers of this ship of war. My thoughts bless you.

"With sincerest love and joy,

"KAUIKEAOUli."

"Love to you all, our fellow-travellers on the ocean. You have kindly attended to us, on board your ship, until we have arrived at this part of our country. When you shall have restored us to our own places, then you will leave us entierly: we shall remain with the remembrance of our having travelled together with you all, and our affection for you will be mingled with sorrow. "LILIHA."

CAPT. FINCH TO THE KING.

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The note from the king received in answer, from Captain Finch, the following judicious and important private letter of advice.

TO KAUIKEAOULI, KING OF THE HAWAHAN

ISLANDS.

"As I am about to depart from your islands, I feel it becoming on my part, and due to you, to state, that I shall quit you with feelings of increased interest for your prosperity and advancement, in all matters of general and individual utility. And I avail myself of this occasion to make my acknowledgments for the hospitable reception which the Vincennes has enjoyed, at each of the places under your jurisdiction, where she has touched.

"I beg you to permit me to advert again to some topics, upon which I have already addressed you formally, and which I deem of essential consequence to yourself and people; I mean those as to the desertion and the subsequent secretion of mariners from their vessels. I recollect that you have, in a general way, told me that you would try and prevent such abuses. My object is, to suggest some means in aid of those you may have adopted on these points.

"It has been clearly shown to you already, and you are so well convinced, that your own good is involved in these practices, that I need not recapitulate the arguments thereon, which I have verbally used.

"But I would suggest to you, in lieu of one of your regulations on these subjects, that it will be found more effectual, in the recovery of deserters and fugitives, if you will forbid the receipt of rewards, as now asked by your common people, on the apprehension of such persons; and the assumption of the expenses by your governments, to be refunded to you alone, by the masters of vessels, on delivery of runaways.

"As the common people are now in the expectation of obtaining rewards for services in these cases, it is believed to be a practice with them to entice sailors ashore, and to secrete them for a while, only to betray them ultimately when remuneration is offered.

"A regulation forbidding, also, your people (under some penalty in money or produce) from harbouring, or sheltering and feeding sailors, straying idly in the country, for any time, without occasional obvious and useful employment, will also be beneficial.

"I would further recommend to you to forbid masters of vessels from discharging or permitting men to leave their vessels in your harbours. Should they persist in doing so,

I would not allow supplies to be carried to them. If men are discharged, it ought to be with your knowledge and concurrence. I think masters of vessels will comply with your wishes in these respects, when distinctly communicated to them.

"All sick sailors, left on shore, should be taken care of by the consuls, or owners, or agents of vessels to which they belong; and as soon as sufficiently recovered, ought to be returned to their respective vessels, or sent by the consuls, or agents, in other conveyances, to their several countries, or entered on board such vessels as may want or may accept, their services.

"The regent, Kahumanu, once asked me, what a consul had to do here? I will again answer, to take care of our general shipping interest; that he has his orders from the government; that his duties are cautiously defined; and he ought not to be interfered with, except by application or reference directly from yourself to the president.

"In the enactment of all laws or regulations, I think it will be for your benefit, and the good of all persons, if you will ask the advice and opinions of all the foreigners resident at the islands, in whom you have confidence. They will, no doubt, accord to it. If they do not, then you shall frame the best laws which your knowledge will enable you to do; conforming, as far as possible, to what has always been the common law or usages of the land; and if, on trial, you find them unsuited or oppressive, alter them to suit circumstances. Laws of some kind are necessary every where, particularly for your exterior relations; the fewer, and the more simple, the better; and the sooner you set about making an attempt, the sooner, of course, you can perfect a system. Wise laws are the highest achievements of the human mind.

"In the letter which I had the happiness to present to you on my first introduction, you have a distinct view of the feelings of my government towards you, and can easily comprehend the course of conduct on your part which will be most acceptible to it; and also the most reasonable, as well as permanently useful to both parties.

"The government of the United States entertains the sincerest desire to preserve you in all your sovereign and local rights, so far as they may be infringed, or openly violated, by acts of its citizens; and, in return, will only expect strict justice towards them, and a fair reciprocity in all transactions.

"The general objects of a cruising ship, or man-of-war, are the care and preservation of the lives and property of our citizens, where governments do not exist for that purpose, or where governments are unmindful of their obligations.

CAPTAIN FINCH TO THE KING.

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"If any wants or disaffection are expressed by our trading interest here, (in such communications as the merchants may send by me,) they will meet the attention of my government; but I hope it will appear that little cause of complaint exists. Had any been foreseen or known, probably my orders might have had especial reference to the cases.

"As a further method to confirm the attachment of my countrymen, which is useful to you, and to elevate yourself in your own estimation, and place your government truly upon an independent basis, must urge the perfect liquidation of your debts at the period promised, and a care not to contract others. Unless free of debt, or with ability to discharge it, no nation takes its equal place among others.

"Soon after I arrived, strangers pointed out to me two taverns; one as belonging to the king, and the other to Governor Boki. The impression made upon me, by this information, was unfavourable to you both. Such establishments are necessary in a port like Honolulu, but they ought to be conducted by private individuals. In the direct gains arising from them you should not participate, nor ought you to frequent them. Very few should be allowed, and, on such as are permitted, a high revenue, or tax, might be imposed; by which means your receipts would be increased, and the burrden at present resting on the industrious will be lightened. The opportunity which has been afforded me of becoming personally acquainted with you, (by your having been my guest on board ship for some time,) has, I am happy to say, conduced greatly to enlist my affections for your personal credit and welfare; and your advancement in the acquisition of our language and letters persuades me to urge you to pursue English studies diligently. By a due division of your time between studies, business, and becoming pleasures, your life will be rendered delightful to yourself, and beneficial to those who, by circumstances, are placed under your protection; and who must ultimately look up to you for example. You are yet young; now is the period to lay the foundation in your character for extensive usefulness. Ere long, the cares of government must devolve on you alone. Kaahumanu and your other friends are advanced in years, and must soon, in the course of nature, be taken from you.

"The geographical situation of your inheritance is so peculiarly favourable, that no one can foresee the degree of importance it is to attain; every year its additional consequence will be apparent to you; therefore I again repeat, acquire the English language. It will open to you an unlimited field of knowledge; in the right use of which you may found a name more imperishable and enduring than the islands