“Liholiho sailed for Maui on October 21, but inexplicably aborted the trip and returned to Honolulu by 3 pm. Ten days later, without any advance warning, Liholiho began a momentous journey to share astounding news with his chiefs.”
“On October 31, the king departed Honolulu aboard L’Aigle’s sister ship, the Princess Mary, claiming to be sailing to Maui. Instead, the Princess Mary steered for the island of Hawai‘i, arriving at Kailua on the island’s western coast on November 4.”
“There Liholiho shared with Kuakini, John Young, and missionary Asa Thurston his startling intention: he was sailing to England to meet with King George!” (Corely)
“A council of chiefs had been summoned to assemble at Maui, to deliberate on this proposal; and, after remaining nearly a week at Hawaii, the king proceeded thither, for the purpose of meeting the chiefs.”
“It was their wish, that in case of the king’s concluding to take the voyage to England, that one of the missionaries should accompany the royal party; and accordingly, in compliance with this wish, Messrs. Bingham and Ellis proceeded to Maui in the early part of November.”
“When the council was assembled, it was soon perceived that the king’s mind was determinately set on the voyage, and the consent of the chiefs was therefore speedily given. It was resolved that his majesty should embark on board the Eagle, Captain Star buck.”
“His objects in visiting England, were to see the country, to acquire a better knowledge of the nature of commercial transactions, to obtain some acquaintance with the laws, usages, and institutions of England, and to make arrangements with the British government for the protection and prosperity of the Sandwich Islands.” (Missionary Records, 1839)
“News that Liholiho intended to sail to England aboard L’Aigle reached Honolulu’s foreign community on November 8. Suddenly, reported the trader Stephen Reynolds, there was a “great stir among the chiefs about the king going to England.”
“Liholiho planned to take $25,000 with him, and the chiefs feared that Starbuck and L’Aigle’s owners would drain their king of all his money and leave him destitute and far from home.”
“When the chiefs questioned him, however, Starbuck told a different story, saying that ‘the king will want for nothing in England.” Starbuck would not even charge the king for his passage – but here he hedged – of course, L’Aigle’s owners might choose to charge something for the royal suite’s passage after the suite had arrived in London.”
“Meanwhile, Liholiho moved ahead with other arrangements. He nominated his younger brother as his successor, finalized the selection of members of his suite, and decided on the gifts that he would present to King George.”
“L’Aigle’s crew moved ahead with their planning and boarded about 100 pigs and ‘boat loads of potatoes’ from one of the king’s brigs in expectation of the journey.”
“Preparations for departure intensified. Kuakini handled the provisioning of the ship for the king. Among other food brought on board was some salted dog’s flesh, a favourite dish with the Sandwich Islanders.”
“While the ship’s crew made ready, the mission ladies went to work creating a wardrobe of rich, elegant, silk dresses for Kamāmalu.”
“The men of the mission prepared letters to their superiors at Boston and London, describing the circumstances surrounding Liholiho’s decision to make the proposed voyage, Liholiho’s goals for the voyage, and how the king’s absence might affect the government and the efforts of the mission.”
“Traders and merchants bustled about the king, getting their accounts in for payment before he should depart. Liholiho appointed both Kalanimōku and Ka‘ahumanu as regents for his younger brother.” (Corely)
“It was the desire of the king, that Mr. Ellis should accompany him, as his interpreter, to England; and, in case he should afterwards determine upon visiting the United States, he proposed that Mr. Bingham should accompany him in the same capacity there.”
“But this arrangement was, unhappily, frustrated by the captain, and the consequence was, that the king and queen left their native islands without an interpreter fully acquainted with the English language.” (Missionary Records, 1839)
“At the chiefs’ request, both Hiram Bingham and William Ellis preached to packed congregations on November 23. L’Aigle left Honolulu’s inner harbor on November 25, but Liholiho waited until 10 a.m. on November 27 to board the small boat that would ferry him out to L’Aigle.”
“His people thronged the beach near Pākākā quayside as Liholiho settled himself into the small boat, accompanied by his principal chiefs. As the boat left the shore, the loud weeping of the people mingled with the roar of cannon from the fort and from the forty vessels lying in the harbor.” (Corely)
“At his departure the natives gathered round him, and tore their hair, and shriek’d and yell’d with the most frantic gestures. The King was dressed in European fashion, and when the boat shoved off from the shore, he stood up without betraying the slightest emotion; while the natives swam round and clung to various parts, crying and yelling with the greatest bitterness.”
“On coming on Board, the decks were crowded with queens and chiefs, pigs and poultry. Of pigs there were about 300; goats, 36; sheep, 6; and bullocks, 4; with 8 dozen of fowls, and 4 dozen of ducks, – all adrift together; and potatoes and powey (poi) from stem to stern.” (Atheneum, 1824)
“Still at her home when Liholiho departed and knowing that a canoe waited to transport her to the ship, Kamamalu arose from her mat, lovingly embraced her mother and other relatives, and walked out of her home towards the quay.”
“s she passed along through the crowd, people fell to their knees and bathed her feet with tears, and loud wailing arose from the crowd of thousands who thronged the shore.”
“At the quay, she movingly addressed a farewell to her country and to her deceased father, Kamehameha, to whom she had promised that she would always follow Liholiho faithfully.”
“With a final prayer and “Aloha nui oukou!” Kamamalu stepped away from shore. A crowd of people waded into the water after her, waving their hands in sorrow and crying out Auwe! Auwe! while the cannon roared from the walls of the fort.” (Corley)
Their departure took place on November 27, 1823. (Missionary Records, 1839)
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