“I never before saw Kaʻahumanu 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, with bright faces, re-echoed the approbation, ‘maitai no — maitai no!’” (Stewart)
Such was the reception upon hearing the kind thoughts of US President John Quincy Adams (6th President of the US,) as written by Samuel Lewis Southard, Secretary of the Navy (January 20, 1829.) (It was delivered by Captain William Compton Bolton Finch, commander of the Vincennes.)
The president “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 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.”
“The president salutes you with respect, and wishes you peace, happiness, and prosperity.” (Saml L Southard, Secretary of the Navy, January 20, 1829)
Kauikeaouli (King Kamehameha III) asked Finch to convey his own letter addressed to the President (November 23, 1829,) that said:
“Best affection to you, the chief magistrate of America. This is my sentiment for you; I have joy and gratitude towards you on account of your kind regard for me. I now know the excellence of your communicating to me that which is right and true. I approve with admiration the justness and faultlessness of your word.”
“I now believe that your thoughts and ours are alike, both those countries and these countries, and all large countries. We are the children—the little islands far off in this tropical climate.”
“We have recently had an interview with Captain Finch, with joyfulness and with sentiments of kindness and pleasure towards him. I do now hope there will be a perfect agreement between you and us – as to the rights and duties of both of our governments …”
“… that the peace now subsisting between us may be perpetual, that the seat of our prosperity may be broad, and our union of heart in things that are right such, that the highways of the ocean may not diverge, because there is a oneness of sentiment in our hearts, with those distant countries, these islands, and all lands.”
“May our abiding by justice triumphantly prevail, that all who come hither may be correct in deportment, and all who go thither from this country.”
“This is my desire, that you and we may be of the same mind. Such, too, is my hope that we may pursue the same course, that we may nourish, and that true prosperity may rest perpetually on all the nations of the world, in which we dwell.”
“Look ye on us with charity; we have formerly been extremely dark-minded, and ignorant of the usages of enlightened countries. You are the source of intelligence and light. This is the origin of our minds being a little enlightened—the arrival here of the word of God.”
“This is the foundation of a little mental improvement which we have recently made, that we come to know a little of what is right, and of the customs of civilized nations. On this account do we greatly rejoice at the present time.”
“I give you thanks, too, for your bestowing kindly on me the globes and the map of your country, to be a means of mental improvement for me, and also for your other presents to my friends, who rejoice with me in the reception of the favors which you have granted them.”
“Long life to you in this world, and lasting blessedness to you and us in the world to come.” (Signed) Kauikeaouli Tamehameha III. (Stewart)
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