Captain Finch having chosen to avail himself of Mr. Bingham’s services as interpreter, requested him to take a seat at his side, and then rising, read to the king the following address : —
“King Tamehameha, The President of the United States has confided to my care a written communication for yourself, and such counsellors as you rely upon, accompanying it with various presents for each …”
“… in testimony of the good opinion he entertains of you individually, and to evince his desire for amity and confidence, in all intercourse that may subsist between your people and my countrymen.”
“That the genuineness of the letter may not be questioned, which might have been the case, if the transmission had been entrusted to casual conveyance, and to make it the more honourable to yourself, he has despatched a ship of war for this and other purposes …”
“… and it is enjoined upon me as the commander, to deliver it in person into your keeping, to reiterate the expressions of goodwill which it contains, and to exhibit, by my own deportment, the sincerity of the motives which has actuated him.”
“The friendly and kind reception afforded by your government to one other of our national ships, the Peacock, has been most favourably represented by her commander, and doubtless has conduced greatly to the visit which I now make.”
“The improved state of your people has also been so interestingly described by one of your friends, the Rev Mr. Stewart, now beside me, as to awaken among my countrymen at large, great benevolence of feeling towards you …”
“… and it will be my study, and I trust I shall be warranted on my return among them, to strengthen their prepossessions in your favour, and to confirm the accounts of the good traits of the character of our new acquaintances, the islanders subject to your authority.”
“With your leave, I will now acquit myself of the pleasing duty devolving upon me, by reading and handing the document adverted to, which illustrates the light in which the President wishes to hold your nation; and upon which you will, I hope, ponder often, deliberately, and fully.”
“The presents I also ask permission to distribute amongst those of your faithful friends for whom they are intended, trusting that they will tend to the enlargement of knowledge, invite to social and rational enjoyments, and further secure enduring recollections of the assurances which I give of the disinterested friendship of the President and government of the United States. W. C. B. Finch, October 14th, 1829.”
Mr. Bingham having read a translation of this in the Hawaiian tongue, Captain Finch proceeded in the perusal of the document from the government:
“To Tamehameha III. King of the Sandwich Islands.
“Navy Department of the United States of America, City of Washington, 20th January, A.D. 1829.”
“By the approbation and direction of the President of the United States, I address you this letter, and send it by the hands of Captain William Compton Bolton Finch, an officer in our navy, commanding the ship of war Vincennes.”
“Captain Finch also bears to you, from the President, certain small tokens of regard for yourself, and the chiefs who are near to you, and is commanded to express to you, in his name, the anxious desire which he feels for your prosperity and advancement in the arts of civilized life, and for the cultivation of harmony and good-will between your nation and the people of the United States.”
“He has heard, with interest and admiration, of the rapid progress which has been made by your people in acquiring a knowledge of letters and of the true religion – the religion of the Christian’s Bible.”
“These are the best, and the only means, by which the prosperity and happiness of nations can be advanced and continued; and the President, and all men every where who wish well to yourself and your people, earnestly hope that you will continue to cultivate them, and to protect and encourage those by whom they are brought to you.”
“The President also anxiously hopes, that peace, and kindness, and justice, will prevail between your people and those citizens of the United States who visit your islands, and that the regulations of your government will be such as to enforce them upon all.”
“Our citizens who violate your laws, or interfere with your regulations, violate at the same time their duty to their own government and country, and merit censure and punishment. We have heard with pain, that this has sometimes been the case, and we have sought to know and to punish those who are guilty.”
“Captain Finch is commanded diligently to inquire into the conduct of our citizens whom he may find at the islands, and, as far as he has the authority, to ensure proper conduct and deportment from them.”
“The President hopes, however, that there are very few who so act as to deserve censure or punishment, and, for all others, he solicits the kindness and protection of your government, that their interests may be promoted, and every facility given to them in the transaction of their business.”
“Among others, he bespeaks your favour to those who have taken up their residence with you, to promote the cause of religion and learning in your islands.”
“He does not doubt that their motives are pure, and their objects most friendly to the happiness of your people, and that they will so con duct themselves as to merit the protecting kindness of your government.
“One of their number, the Rev. C. S. Stewart, who resided for some time with you, has received the favour of his government in an appointment to an office of religion in our navy, and will visit you in company with Captain Finch.”
“The President salutes you with respect, and wishes you peace, happiness, and prosperity. Saml. L. Southard, Secretary to the Navy.”
“This also was immediately made intelligible to the king and chiefs, by a translation in the native language, read by Mr. Bingham.”
“Both documents were listened to with intense interest. I never before saw Kaahumanu more excited. She seemed scarce able to command her feelings, and, before Mr. Southard’s letter was finished, her eyes were filled with tears.”
“‘Maitai—maitai no!’ ‘Good—good indeed!’ uttered with the quick tone in which he usually speaks when pleased, was the hasty comment of the king, while the females re-echoed the approbation, ‘Maitai no—maitai no!’”
“The servants having charge of the presents were now called, and these placed before the king. A pair of globes, celestial and terrestrial, and a large map of the United States, for himself …”
“… a silver vase, inscribed with the arms of the United States, and her name, for the regent; two silver goblets, with inscriptions of a similar character, for the princess; and two large maps of the world, one for Governor Boki, and the other for Governor Adams.” (Stewart)
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