Peter T Young

Captain James Hunnewell-(MissionHouses)

June 3, 2018 by Peter T Young 2 Comments

Bates’ View of the Tabu

“The will of the high chief was a law from which there was no appeal. He could decide all cases of disputation, levy taxes, and proclaim war, just as best suited his purposes, and none but the royal counselors were permitted to take the least exception.”

“During their life, they were approached with the most absolute veneration; and after death, they were deified and worshiped.”

“A system of landlordism existed, decreasing in subserviency until it reached the monarch, whom it left an absolute lord. This system was originated and sustained by war.”

“The victors always seized the lands of the vanquished, and then gave them their followers. If a king, or chief, or sub-landlord, when passing through his district, happened to see a fine taro-patch, a hog, a mat, or a calabash, that suited his ideas, he had only to claim it, and it became his own.”

“If they wished to build a house, cultivate a tract of land, turn a water-course, or erect a temple for the gods, they had only to summon the people from a district, the entire island, or a neighboring island, and the work was speedily accomplished.”

“To refuse to obey the summons was to insure instant death. There were no courts of justice, no trials by jury, no fixed law, either oral or written.”

“The property, the services, the life, and almost the souls of the people, were claimed by their rulers.”

“But the broadest and most gloomy page of their past history is that which records their religious condition. It was a unity of Church and State.”

“The two heads of the nation were the king and priest, but the hierarch was paramount. There was a reciprocity of sacerdotal and kingly power: the first promised the favor of the gods, the latter the support of the spears hurled by banded warriors.”

“The paramount claims of the hierarch soon found a solid support in the foundation of the most hellish system … that has ever cursed fallen humanity. This was the tabu system.”

“As the tabu system expanded and strengthened, it imposed restrictions on every act, word, and thought; it covered every article of food, and related to every act of religious worship; it was so framed, that it was absolutely impossible not to violate its bloody requirements; its mandates even entered the sanctuaries families, and imposed a heavy restriction upon the rights of men and women.”

“When a couple entered the marriage state, the man must build an eating-house for himself, another for his god, another for a dormitory, another for his wife to eat in, and another in which to beat kapa: these four the men had to build.”

“In addition to this, he had food to provide; then he heated the oven and baked for his wife; then he heated the oven and baked for himself; then he opened the oven containing his wife’s taro, and pounded it; then he performed the same operation on his own.”

“The husband ate in his house, and the wife ate in hers. They did not eat together, lest they should be slain for violating the tabu.”

“A tabu existed in relation to idols. The gods of the chiefs and common people were of wood. If one made his idol of an apple-tree, the apple-tree was afterward tabu to him. So of all the trees of which idols were made.”

“So, too, of articles of food. If one employed taro as an object of his idolatry, to him the taro became sacred, and might not be eaten by him. Thus it was with every object of which a god was made.”

“Birds were objects of worship. If a hen, the hen was to him sacred. So of all the birds which were deified. Beasts were objects of worship. If a hog, the hog was sacred to him who chose it for his god. So, too, of all quadrupeds of which gods were made.”

“Stones were objects of worship, and tabu, so that one might not sit on them.”

“Fish were idolized. If one adopted the shark as his god, to him the shark was sacred. So, also, of all fish; so of all things in heaven and earth: even the bones of men were transformed into objects of worship.”

“A tabu was imposed on such accidental events as it was impossible for the common people to avoid. Hence, if the shadow of a common man fell on a chief-if he went into a chief’s yard-if he put on a kapa or malo of the chief, or wore the chief’s consecrated mat, or if he went upon the chief’s house, it was death!”

“So, if he stood when the king’s bathing-water, or kapa, or malo were carried along, or when the king’s name were mentioned in song, or if he walked in the shade of a chief’s house with his head besmeared with clay, or with a wreath round it, or wearing a kapa mantle, or with his head wet, it was certain death!”

“There were many other offenses of the people which were made capital by the chiefs and priests. H a woman ate pork, cocoanuts, bananas, a certain kind of fish, or lobster, it was death. To be found in a canoe on a tabu, day was death.”

“If a man committed a crime, he died; if he was irreligious, he died; if he indulged in connubial pleasures on a tabu, day, or if he made the slightest noise while prayers were saying, he had to die.”

“While the common people could commit no crime under penalty of death, the priests did as they pleased.”

“When one deemed it desirable that a temple should be built, he applied to the king, who commanded the natives to construct it; which being done, the king and priest were sacred; and on the day when a log of wood was obtained for a god, a man was sacrificed in order to impart power to the wooden deity.”

“When sacrifices were offered, men were slain and laid upon the altar with swine; if a fish proper for an offering could not be obtained, a man was sacrificed in its stead; and human victims were required on other occasions.”

“The king and the priest were much alike, and they constituted the main burden of the nation.” (All here is from Bates.)

Hikiau_Heiau_illustration-William_Ellis_(Captian_Cook’s_Crew)-1782

June 2, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Oregon Territory

The Sandwich Islands, from 1778 on, figured in all the voyages of exploration to the Northwest Coast of America. Going out from England or from Boston and New York, ships took in supplies at Hawaii. Likewise, on the return trip.

Captains Portlock and Dixon in the King George and Queen Charlotte (they were on Cook’s voyage) made the trip to explore the fur trading country, sailing from England in 1783.

In 1786-74 John Meares made a trip from India to the coast of America, probably Alaska, and returned to Canton by way of Hawaii. He then planned a second voyage for the fur trade and other purposes.

Early on, no permanent settlements were made on the northwest coast; but a lively exchange of commodities took place on the decks of the trading vessels.

They took knives, iron, copper pans, and trinkets from Boston, got furs for them on the Northwest Coast, completed their cargoes with sandalwood from Hawaii and exchanged everything for teas, silks, etc in Canton.

John Jacob Astor was long engaged in this trade, and in 1810, for the purpose of securing such a control of that trade as to lessen the danger of rivalry by the Northwest Fur Company, he organized the Pacific Fur Company, and planned a permanent American settlement at the mouth of the Columbia River.

Shortly thereafter, he went to the Islands and brought a supply of hogs, several goats, two sheep and some poultry to stock his base at Astoria – likewise, twelve Hawaiians signed on to work for three years.

Vancouver, on his way out to explore the western coast of North America, provisioned at the Hawaii in 1792.

From this time onward, American vessels, in their voyages to/from the Northwest Coast, frequently stopped at Hawaii for refreshments and repairs, and for the restoration of health to their crews, who became worn out by the long and stormy passage around Cape Horn and by the watchfulness and anxiety in guarding against the Indians when the ships were trading along shore.

By 1840 there were between 150 and 250 English and American residents of Honolulu alone. There were a number of whites outside of this town. The Oregon country contained about a hundred families in the same year.

Considerable trade between Oregon and Hawaii developed, the former sending wheat, beaver skins, salmon, and lumber to the islands and receiving in return sugar, molasses, tea, coffee and commodities brought there from China, England and the Eastern US.

As an example of the business carried on, there appeared in the Honolulu Polynesian of August 31, 1844, an advertisement of Albert E Wilson, general commission merchant, Astoria, mouth of the Columbia River, offering to buy the products of the Hawaiian Islands and to sell merchandise and products from the Oregon country.

On September 28, 1844, the same paper states: “The riches of the Sandwich Islands lie in the soil. A continent lies near us, rapidly filling with Anglo-Saxon sons.”

“Sugar, coffee, indigo, tobacco, cotton and cabinet lumber will be the staple articles’ the islands would produce for export, along with yams, arrow root, hemp and raw silk.

“These islands will become the West Indies of the Northern Pacific; the trade will naturally go forward to Oregon, and if we do not hasten operations the demand will exceed our means of supplying it.”

The existing trade between the Columbia River and the Sandwich Islands was evidenced by an advertisement in that week’s sale of the arrival for sale of 107,000 feet of lumber, 300 barrels of superior flour, 300 barrels of Columbia River salmon, etc.

Coral brought from the Islands were used in constructing the ‘fort’ established at Vancouver on the Columbia River and in building chimneys for the settlers.

Honolulu became a depot for fresh supplies, repairs, and after whaling began (1819), for temporary storage of whale oil. In 1820 the United States appointed John C. Jones as an agent for commerce and seamen. (All here is from a summary by Bennett.)

The Oregon Territory stretched from the Pacific coast to the Rocky Mountains, encompassing the area including present-day Oregon, Washington, and most of British Columbia.

Originally Spain, Great Britain, Russia, and the US claimed the territory. In 1819, under terms of the Transcontinental Treaty, Spain ceded its claims to the territory to the United States.

Shortly thereafter the United States contested a unilateral Russian move to grant its citizens a fishing, whaling, and commercial monopoly from the Bering Straits to the 51st parallel.

In 1823 President Monroe promulgated his doctrine, which put Russia on notice that the United States did not accept Russian attempts at monopoly.

The US claim was based on the explorations of Lewis and Clark and on the establishment of trading posts set up by John Jacob Astor’s Pacific Fur Company, such as Astoria at the mouth of the Columbia River. Great Britain based its claim, in part, on James Cook’s exploration of the Columbia River.

By 1843, increased American immigration on the Oregon Trail to the Territory made the border issue a burning one in Congress, where jingoists raised the slogan of “54 degrees 40 minutes or fight.”

President James Polk, a supporter of Manifest Destiny with an eye also on the Mexican Southwest and California, was eager to settle the boundary of the Oregon Territory and proposed a settlement on the 49 degree line to Great Britain. (State Department)

Oregon_Country

June 1, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Gulick – Rowell House

In 1828, three new missionaries arrived at Waimea, Kauai, to aid the Reverend and Mrs. Samuel Whitney in the operation of the missionary station there. The new arrivals were the Reverend and Mrs. Peter Gulick (and their infant son), and Miss Maria Ogden. (NPS)

Peter Johnson Gulick (1797 – 1877) and his wife, Fanny Hinckley Thomas Gulick (1798 – 1883,) sailed with the Third Company of ABCFM missionaries from Boston on November 3, 1827 aboard the ship Parthian, and reached Honolulu on March 30, 1828, a voyage of 148 days. (Gulick)

Gulick was born in Freehold, Monmouth Co, New Jersey, March 12, 1797. His father John Gulick (Hulick, or Ulick, as some of his kindred wrote the name) was of Dutch extraction.

“Shortly after I was of age, I went again to N. Y. & was in the employ of the widdow Corwin, with whom I had formerly lived. This woman, Mrs. Corwin, first suggested to me the ideas of studying, & preparing for the ministry.”

“In the fall of 1825, I entered the Princeton Theol. Semy. where Drs. Alexander & Miller & proffessor Chas. Hodge then taught. There I spent two very happy years”.

“Near the close of my second year in the Semy. I was licensed, by the Presbytery of N. Brunswick as an evangelist to preach the Gospel; & on Sep. 5 1827, was married to … Miss (Fanny Hinckley) Thomas.” (Gulick) They then sailed to Hawai‘i.

The governor of Kauai, Kaikioʻewa, prepared a native house for them, of poles and thatching, but including a board floor. Within a year, the Reverend Gulick began the construction of a more substantial home for his family. He used coral limestone for the foundation and walls, this being cut from offshore reefs by Hawaiian workers and floated ashore.

Gulick’s Waimea home is a simple, and functional structure, yet well-proportioned with well-crafted detailing. It is an excellent example of a New England approach to residential architecture adapted to the Hawaiian climate.

He paid his Hawaiian assistants in goats, Bibles, textbooks, and other articles out of the “common stock” of the Honolulu preserved as well as one of the finest examples of early missionary residences on Kauai. (The Gulicks were stationed at Waimea, Kauai, 1828 – 1835, then were sent to Kōloa, 1835 -1843.)

The Gulick family occupied the house as soon as they could, although work continued on it. However, in 1834, they were transferred to Koloa, another mission station on Kauai, and for twelve years, the home stood unoccupied, except for the few occasions that needy Hawaiian families were housed there.

(Following their Kauai service, the Gulicks were transferred to Kaluaʻaha, 1843 – 1846 where he was superintendent of Molokai schools; then to Waialua, O‘ahu 1846 – 1857; and in 1857 retired to live in Honolulu. In 1874 the Gulicks left Hawaii to live with their son, Orramel, a missionary in Kobe, Japan.)

In 1846, the Revered George Berkeley Rowell (1815-1884) and his wife, Malvina Jerusha Chapin Rowell (1816-1901) (of the Tenth Company of missionaries) were transferred from the Waioli Mission on Kauai to Waimea, where they moved into the former Gulick home (that had been vacant since the Gulick’s left.)

Rowell, the son of Joseph and Hannah (Chase) Rowell, was born at Cornish, New Hampshire, January 22, 1815, and was prepared for college at Kimball Union Academy, Meriden, NH.

He entered Amherst in the fall of 1832, but absence from college during the third year delayed his graduation till 1837. The next four years were spent in the study of theology at Andover Seminary, and October 27, 1841, he was ordained as a foreign missionary at Cornish, NH. George and Malvina married on January 22, 1842, and sailed from Boston in May, 1842, for the Hawaiian Islands.

Reverend Rowell, a carpenter and cabinetmaker, substantially rebuilt the house, adding the rear end, all the woodwork for the verandahs, and a new roof. Rowell also made most of the furnishings for the house.

After first putting doors and windows in one room to ensure a degree of privacy from their curious parishioners, the Rowells rebuilt the house, then added to it as their family grew.

The Rowells remained at Waimea in the home until 1865. After that the home was occupied by various plantation manager’s families from the local sugar cultivation operations. Each made their share of alterations or improvements, but the end result was not a significant departure from the original design. (NPS)

Recently, the house was purchased by Jim Ballantine, a 4th generation West Kauai resident with the goal of setting up a non-profit organization to work in partnership with established community groups and local non-profits insure the survival of Gulick Rowell Hale Puna and prepare it for its third century as a valuable asset for the community of West Kauai.

HalePuna.org’s mission is to restore Gulick Rowell Hale Puna. Once restored, the house and working farm will provide for the conservation and study of the historically significant property.

The house will be used as a community center for presenting events and performances that contribute to the cultural fabric of West Kauai life and celebrate the building’s unique place in our community. (halepuna-org)

Gulick-Rowell House Waimea, Kauai

May 31, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

David Gregg’s View of the Islands

David Lawrence Gregg arrived in Honolulu December 19, 1853 and lived there for about ten years, first as the diplomatic representative of the US, next as the Hawaiian Minister of Finance, and finally, for a short time, as a practicing attorney. The following are some extracts of correspondence he wrote, giving insight into the Islands at the time

“The King – Kamehameha III – is a very clever sort of personage, about 40 years of age, good looking, shrewd, and far more intelligent about political affairs than might be expected from one just emerged from a savage state.”

“He would, by no means, disgrace the society of his brother monarchs in Europe, and I am very much disposed to think that in point of natural capacity, he is superior to them all except Nicholas & Louis Napoleon.” (Gregg to RS Blackwell, February 1, 1854)

“He is of good size, & fair proportions, – of a dark olive complexion & fine appearance & bearing. He speaks English tolerably well, but on official occasions employs an interpreter. In shrewdness & intelligence, even on general subjects, he is not behind many of those who have had the advantages of early education, & a wide field of literature.” (Gregg to Forsyth, March 20, 1854)

“There are but few young men any where, superior to Prince Alexander. Though only twenty years of age, he is well educated & intelligent, and would acquit himself creditably in the best circles of society. A few years ago he travelled in England, France and the United States, & improved his opportunities of observation to the best advantage.”

“You need not be astonished to hear of him, some day, in Washington, as a member of the House of Representatives, or perhaps the Senate! If his complexion is of an olive cast, the first gentlemen of our country, would have no occasion to be ashamed of his society.” (Gregg to Daniel McIlroy, February 3, 1854)

“The American Missionaries have been badly treated by the Cabinet & by the King acting under its influence. His Majesty is conscious of the error, & has to my knowledge, expressed regret for it.” (Gregg to W. L. Marcy (Private), June 5, 1856)

“The American Missionaries deserve the highest credit for their untiring perseverance in, the work of elevating and reforming the savages of the Hawaiian Islands. It was their effort which laid the foundation of the order and peace which now prevail.”

“They established a polity almost republican in its character, and differing but in few particulars from our own institutions.”

“Naturally, the advisers of the King and Chiefs, they counselled judicious reforms, & did much to lessen & finally abolish the absolute dominion which trod the unfortunate masses under foot.”

“If they sometimes committed errors, it was because they lacked knowledge in political science, and gave too little heed to considerations of worldly policy. Thus it was, that morals were sometimes enforced by severe royal and legislative enactment, and, thus it now is, that trade is fettered by restrictions, which in the general estimation, are regarded as injudicious, and unwise.

“While I see some things to be censured, I find much to praise, and I trust that no consideration will ever prevent me from giving credit where it is justly due.” (David L. Gregg, United States Commissioner to Hawaii, to EW Tracy, (Private), February 3, 1854)

“(T)he results of Missionary teaching & American influence and of themselves, are sufficient to disprove the wholesale allegations of such persons as take it upon themselves to represent that the efforts of our countrymen to carry the lights of civilization to savage lands, have been without avail.” Gregg to Marcy, June 14, 1855)

“You will not consider it improper for me to add a few words to what I have already said in regard to the character of Judge Lee. His position here is peculiar, but not less honorable to him than creditable to those by whose confidence he is sustained.”

“He was on every occasion of importance the adviser of the late King (Kamehameha III), and maintains the same position with the new Sovereign (Kamehameha IV).”

“All classes of people in the Kingdom respect him & rely upon his judgment as affording almost a conclusive presumption of right. I know of no man any where who enjoys so large a measure of respect, or who has so few enemies.”

“His characteristic reputation is that of an honest man and I am satisfied that he most fully deserves it. He is by birth an American and I think, a native of New York.”

“In taking up his residence here, he was influenced by considerations of health. When he consented to hold a public position under a foreign government, it appears to have been with a firm determination to devote all his energies to the promotion of its interests …”

“… and in doing so he is persevering and consistent. But this has not interfered with the preservation of a proper respect & veneration for the institutions under which he was educated.” (Gregg to WL March, March 17, 1855)

“I attended the Supreme Court in this city where cases between natives were on trial. The proceedings were all conducted in the Hawaiian language, and a degree of good order & propriety prevailed which both gratified and surprised me.”

“The lawyers, witnesses, jurors, and one of the Judges on the bench, were Hawaiians. After the evidence was closed, speeches were regularly made as in our courts, and in manner, at least, I should call them fine specimens of forensic eloquence.”

“One of the officers of the Court interpreted the proceedings for me as they progressed, thus enabling me to conclude that shrewdness as well as eloquence was a characteristic of the native Hawaiian bar.”

“The appearance of jurors and spectators was just such as might be expected in our Courts at home, and they exhibited even a higher degree of decorum than I have sometimes seen in American Courts.” (Gregg to John Moore, January 21, 1854)

“The present inclination of the Hawaiian mind is to look upon the United States as the stronghold of hope for the future of the Islands….”

“… The British & French Governments are evidently doing all in their power to convince the Hawaiians that they are their best and most disinterested friends, & that in them alone can any well founded reliance be placed. It is our policy to prevent any such idea from obtaining credit.” (Gregg to WL Marcy, March 19, 1856) (All from Report of the Historical Commission, Territory of Hawaii, 1925)