British | Images of Old Hawaiʻi

May 6, 2026 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Kings and Queens

Hawaiian Dynasties

Using stratigraphic archaeology and refinements in radiocarbon dating, studies suggest it was about 1000-1200 AD that “Polynesian explorers first made their remarkable voyage from central Eastern Polynesia Islands, across the doldrums and into the North Pacific, to discover Hawai‘i.” (Kirch)

“(I)n the earliest times all the people were alii … it was only after the lapse of several generations that a division was made into commoners and chiefs” (Malo) Kamakau noted, in early Hawaiʻi “The parents were masters over their own family group … No man was made chief over another.” Essentially, the extended family was the socio, biological, economic, and political unit.

The arrival of Pā‘ao from Tahiti in about the thirteenth century resulted in the establishment (or, at least expanded upon) a religious and political code in old Hawai`i, collectively called the kapu system.

Fornander writes that prior to the period of Pā‘ao “… the kapu (forbidden actions) were few and the ceremonials easy; that human sacrifices were not practiced, and cannibalism unknown; and that government was more of a patriarchal than of a regal nature.”

Until European contact, Hawai‘i was a highly stratified society with strictly maintained castes. The ali‘i (chiefs) headed the social pyramid and ruled over the land. Highly regarded and sometimes feared, the kahuna (professionals) were experts on religious ritual or specialists in canoe-building, herbal medicine, and healing.

The maka‘āinana (commoners) farmed and fished; built walls, houses, and fishponds; and paid taxes to the paramount chiefs and his chiefs. Kauwā, the lowest class, were outcasts or slaves. (NPS)

Each Hawaiian was born into a class of people, and at the top were the rulers, a small but powerful class of chiefs, known as the aliʻi and in those days, the aliʻi was the government.

Of all the people, it was the ali‘i who held the greatest respect and the one whom no one questioned. But this class of royalty did not just consist of the chief and his family, the aliʻi or the government system was more complicated and consisted of more than what most people think of when they hear of the Aliʻi. (Seleska)

When Kamehameha I unified the islands under a single rule, dynasties emerged and references of “King” and “Queen” were given to these new monarchies.

The Kamehameha Dynasty ruled for nearly a century from the late 1700s to the late 1800s, while the Kalākaua Dynasty ruled from 1874 to 1893. These Ali‘i monarchs continued to rule Hawai‘i until Queen Lili‘uokalani was forced out of rule and the Hawaiian Monarchy was overthrown.

Kamehameha I, Kamehameha the Great (reign 1782-1819)

Born in North Kohala on the Big Island, Kamehameha united all the major islands under one rule in 1810.

Kamehameha II, Liholiho (reign 1819-1824)

The son of Kamehameha and his sacred wife Keopūolani, Liholiho overthrew the ancient kapu system by allowing men and women of the court to eat together. At the same time, he announced that the heiau (temples) should be destroyed.

Kamehameha III, Kauikeaouli (reign 1825-1854)

Born in Keauhou, the younger brother of Liholiho had the longest reign. He was not yet a teenager when he was proclaimed king in 1825 under a regency with Ka‘ahumanu, his father’s favorite queen.

Kamehameha IV, Alexander Liholiho (reign 1854-1863)

The nephew of Kauikeaouli, Alexander Liholiho was the grandson of Kamehameha I. He ascended to the throne after the death of his uncle in December of 1854.

Kamehameha V, Lot Kapuaiwa Kamehameha (reign 1863-1872)

Four years older than his brother Kamehameha IV, Lot would also rule for just nine years. Lot Kamehameha did not name a successor, which led to the invoking of the constitutional provision for electing kings of Hawai‘i.

William Charles Lunalilo (reign 1873-1874)

The grandson of a half-brother of Kamehameha I, Lunalilo defeated David Kalākaua to become the first king to be elected. He offered many amendments to the Constitution of 1864, such as abolishing the property qualifications for voting.

David Kalākaua (reign 1874-1891)

Kalākaua was the first king in history to visit the United States. “The Merry Monarch” was fond of old Hawaiian customs, and he attempted to restore the people’s lost heritage. King Kalākaua built ‘Iolani Palace.

Queen Lydia Kamakaeha Lili‘uokalani (reign 1891-1893)

In 1891, upon the death of her brother, King Kalākaua, Queen Lili‘uokalani succeeded to the throne. Queen Lili‘uokalani was the last monarch of the Hawaiian Islands.

British Royalty

The origins of kingship in England can be traced to the second century BC when Celtic and Belgic tribesmen emigrated from continental Europe and settled in Britain, displacing or absorbing the aboriginal inhabitants. The settlers established a number of tribal kingdoms.

Celtic Britain moved through the Roman invasion to the Norman Conquest of 1066 and the establishment of the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms and the coming of Christianity and the unification of England. (National Portrait Gallery)

Fast forward to 1701, the British Parliament passed a law called the Act of Settlement. The law stipulated that only a Protestant could be king or queen of Britain. Roman Catholics were removed from the line of succession.

Then came the house of Hanover, a British royal house of German origin. The dynasty descended from George Louis of Hanover (a region of Germany), who succeeded to the British crown as George I in 1714.

The dynasty also provided the monarchs George II, George III, George IV, William IV, and Victoria. The six Hanoverian monarchs ruled Great Britain between 1714 and 1901. The dynasty was succeeded by the house of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, which was renamed in 1917 the house of Windsor.

George II (reign 1727-1760)

George II was the son of George I. George II became known for his bravery during military conflicts, such as the War of the Spanish Succession. George II played a key role in military engagements, including the French and Indian War, where British successes shaped a pivotal era in British history. His reign also witnessed significant advancements in the economy, culture, and the establishment of cabinet government, balancing the powers of the Crown and Parliament.

George III (reign 1760-1820)

George III succeeded his grandfather, George II, in the midst of the Seven Years’ War/French and Indian War (1756–63). Having ascended to the throne at just 22, George III’s dramatic reign included the American Revolution, the Napoleonic Wars, and expansion of the British Empire.

However, his reign is often most remembered for the illness that plagued his later life. He was declared unfit to rule in 1810, when his son George IV – one of 15 children – became Regent. (Britannica)

George IV (reign 1820-1830)

Son of George III, George IV was known for his extravagant spending, gambling and womanizing. Once married in secret to a Roman Catholic, his only legitimate heir with his second wife Caroline, Princess Charlotte, died in 1817 while he was still on the throne.

William IV (reign 1830-1837)

The brother of George IV, William never expected to become king. As a young man he served in the Royal Navy during the American War of Independence, and as king he oversaw major parliamentary reform. He was determined to live long enough to see his niece, Victoria, reach her majority, ensuring she would accede the throne directly.

Victoria (reign 1837-1901)

Niece of William IV, Victoria inherited the throne through her father Edward, the fourth son of George III. Victoria’s was the second longest reign in British history. (Queen Elizabeth II was longest over 70 years, 214 days.) Remembered for her strict moral values, she oversaw further expansion of the British Empire and the Industrial Revolution, and with her beloved Prince Albert.

For an expanded discussion, including interactions between the Hawaiian and British monarchs, go here: https://imagesofoldhawaii.com/wp-content/uploads/Hawaiian_and_British_Royalty.pdf

September 7, 2023 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

British Army

Frederick North (Lord North) entered the House of Commons at the first general election after he came of age; he spent almost the whole of his political life there; and was its leader for nearly fifteen years.

He became First Minister at the age of 37 and served as First Lord of the Treasury from 1770 to 1782 (North was an exceptionally conscientious first minister and was generally referred to as the Prime Minister, however, he never referred to himself as such). (gov-uk and Institute of Historical Research)

Lord North and the British cabinet, made up of nearly 20 ministers, first considered resorting to military might against the Americans as early as January 1774, when word of the Boston Tea Party reached London. (Recall that on December 16, 1773, protesters had boarded British vessels in Boston Harbor and destroyed cargoes of tea, rather than pay a tax imposed by Parliament.)

Contrary to popular belief both then and now, Lord North’s government did not respond impulsively to the news. Throughout early 1774, the prime minister and his cabinet engaged in lengthy debate on whether coercive actions would lead to war. A second question was considered as well: Could Britain win such a war?

By March 1774, North’s government had opted for punitive measures that fell short of declaring war. Parliament enacted the Coercive Act – or Intolerable Acts, as Americans called them – and applied the legislation to Massachusetts alone, to punish the colony for its provocative act.

Britain’s principal action was to close Boston Harbor until the tea had been paid for. England also installed Gen. Thomas Gage, commander of the British Army in America, as governor of the colony. Politicians in London chose to heed the counsel of Gage, who opined that the colonists would “be lyons whilst we are lambs but if we take the resolute part they will be very meek.” (Smithsonian)

Britain miscalculated. In September 1774, colonists convened the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia; the members voted to embargo British commerce until all British taxes and the Coercive Acts were repealed. News of that vote reached London in December. A second round of deliberations within North’s ministry ensued for nearly six weeks.

Throughout its deliberations, North’s government agreed on one point: the Americans would pose little challenge in the event of war. The Americans had neither a standing army nor a navy; few among them were experienced officers.

Britain possessed a professional army and the world’s greatest navy. Furthermore, the colonists had virtually no history of cooperating with one another, even in the face of danger.

In addition, many in the cabinet were swayed by disparaging assessments of American soldiers leveled by British officers in earlier wars.

For instance, during the French and Indian War (1754-63), Brig. Gen. James Wolfe had described America’s soldiers as “cowardly dogs.” Henry Ellis, the royal governor of Georgia, nearly simultaneously asserted that the colonists were a “poor species of fighting men” given to “a want of bravery.”

After the Americans convened the Continental Congress, King George III told his ministers that “blows must decide” whether the Americans “submit or triumph.”

After King George III declared that the colonies were in a rebellion, in 1775, and vowed to suppress it with force, the British government began to increase the size of the British army by creating larger infantry regiments and companies. The number of soldiers per regiment was increased to 200 and the number of soldiers per company was increased to 18.

At the outbreak of the Revolutionary War in 1775, the total size of the British army, excluding militia, consisted of 48,647 soldiers. Of these soldiers about 39,294 were infantry, 6,869 were cavalry and 2,484 were artillery. (History of Massachusetts)

The British Army of the late 18th century was a volunteer force. Unlike the navy, there was no impressment or conscription into the army, a point of pride for most British subjects. The majority of men who volunteered for service were farm laborers or tradesmen who were out of work.

Life in the army promised steady pay, regular meals, and a way to escape grinding poverty.

Before the war, enlistment in the army was a lifelong commitment, but during the war, shorter term enlistments of several years were introduced to encourage recruitment. Recruits were generally young, averaging in their early 20s, and were drawn from all over Britain and Ireland.

By the eve of the American Revolution, the majority of the men in the ranks had never seen active military service and were not battle hardened veterans. The exception were many of the army’s non-commissioned officers. These men formed the backbone of the regiment and were often veterans of many years or even decades of service. (Battlefields)

As the war in America dragged on the British Army expanded rapidly. At least 50,000 soldiers fought in America, with many more serving in the West Indies, Europe, and India. Britain struggled to meet these manpower needs with volunteer enlistments and soon turned to other means.

The men leading the army were drawn from a drastically different social class. The majority of army officers came from the upper classes of British society, and were often the younger, non-inheriting sons of well to do families.

With the exception of Colonels, who were appointed by the king, officer’s commissions were purchased. A retiring officer would offer to sell his commission to the next most senior officer, and if he refused then it would be offered to the next officer and so on in order of seniority. (Battlefields)

British Commanders in the Revolutionary War:
Commander in Chief, North America: Thomas Gage (1763 – October 1775)
Commander in Chief, America: William Howe (October 1775 – 1778)
Commander in Chief, America: Henry Clinton (February 1778 – 1782)
Commander in Chief, America: Guy Carleton (1782 – 1783)
Commander in Chief, America: John Campbell (1783 – 1787) (Battlefields)

The basic building block of the British Army was the battalion or regiment. The two terms were used somewhat interchangeably in the 18th century, as most regiments consisted of a single battalion (although there was a handful made up of 2 or more battalions).

Each battalion consisted of ten companies for a total strength (on paper at least) of 642 officers and men. Eight of the companies were known as “battalion” or “hat” companies and were made up of standard infantry troops. (Battlefields) As the war continued, the size of companies was increased to 70 soldiers before being reduced to 58 soldiers by the end of the war. (History of Massachusetts)

The remaining companies were the “flank” companies made up of specialized soldiers. On the right of the battalion was the grenadier company. Grenadiers were chosen from the largest and most physically strong and imposing men of the battalion and were used as shock troops for assaulting enemy positions.

On the left flank was a company of light infantry. Unlike the grenadiers, light troops were chosen for their speed, agility, marksmanship, and ability to operate independently. Their role on the battlefield was to skirmish with the enemy from behind cover, provide reconnaissance, and protect the flanks of the army.

During the Revolutionary War, most grenadier and light companies were stripped from their battalion and amalgamated into separate battalions made up entirely of other grenadier or light companies. (Battlefields)

One of the major advantages of the British army was that it was one of the most powerful and experienced armies in the world. During the previous 100 years, the British army had defeated many powerful countries in war, such as France and Spain, and seemed almost unbeatable. The British army was also funded by the British government and the Crown, which was very wealthy.

One major disadvantage or weakness of the British army was that it was fighting in a distant land. Great Britain had to ship soldiers and supplies across the Atlantic, which was very costly, in order to fight the Revolutionary War.

The British army didn’t know the local terrain as well as the Continental Army did and weren’t trained to fight guerrilla-style warfare in the wilderness. Up until the Revolutionary War, the British army had only fought European-style warfare on an open battlefield.

Until early-1778 the conflict was a civil war within the British Empire, but afterward it became an international war as France (in 1778) and Spain (in 1779) joined the colonies against Britain. The British government, following a traditional policy, purchased about 30,000 Hessian troops from various German princes to assist them in America.

From the beginning, sea power was vital in determining the course of the war, lending to British strategy a flexibility that helped compensate for the comparatively small numbers of troops sent to America and ultimately enabling the French to help bring about the final British surrender at Yorktown. (Britannica)

Americans fought the war on land with essentially two types of organization: the Continental (national) Army and the state militias. The total number of the former provided by quotas from the states throughout the conflict was 231,771 men, and the militias totaled 164,087. At any given time, however, the American forces seldom numbered over 20,000; in 1781 there were only about 29,000 insurgents under arms throughout the country.

By contrast, the British army was a reliable steady force of professionals. Many of the enlisted men were farm boys, as were most of the Americans. Others were unemployed persons from the urban slums. Still others joined the army to escape fines or imprisonment. The great majority became efficient soldiers as a result of training and discipline.

Preliminary articles of peace were signed on November 30, 1782, and the Peace of Paris (September 3, 1783) ended the US War of Independence. Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States (with western boundaries to the Mississippi River) and ceded Florida to Spain. Other provisions called for payment of US private debts to British citizens, American use of the Newfoundland fisheries, and fair treatment for American colonials loyal to Britain. (Britannica)

An estimated 6,800 Americans were killed in action, 6,100 wounded, and upwards of 20,000 were taken prisoner. Historians believe that at least an additional 17,000 deaths were the result of disease, including about 8,000–12,000 who died while prisoners of war.

Unreliable data places the total casualties for British regulars fighting in the Revolutionary War around 24,000 men. This total number includes battlefield deaths and injuries, deaths from disease, men taken prisoner, and those who remained missing. Approximately 1,200 Hessian soldiers were killed, 6,354 died of disease and another 5,500 deserted and settled in America afterward. (Battlefield)

Click the following link to a general summary about the British Army:

Click to access British-Army.pdf

January 30, 2019 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

British View on ‘commerce of the Sandwich Islands’ (1829)

“During a recent visit to several of the beautiful islands of Polynesia, I recorded all the information that I could collect respecting
them, and my observations thereupon.”

“The following sketches are an attempt to describe what I beheld of the scenery of these islands, together with the manners, customs, manufactures, &c. of the people.”

“Formerly I had read much respecting the South-Sea Islands, and their scenery, productions and inhabitants, as described in the various works that I perused, captivated my imagination.”

“The importance of these islands as respects their capability of producing those articles of commerce which are peculiar to tropical climates, has not sufficiently excited the attention of the mercantile community of Great Britain.”

“As by our commerce we have attained that prosperity which ranks our country so high among European nations, every subject, which is connected with it, ought to be considered of importance …”

“… the commerce of the Sandwich Islands alone, by the industry and perseverance of the enterprising people of the United States of America, is calculated at a million and upwards of dollars annually, and may be considered to be gradually on the increase.”

“This commerce, through our neglect, has for years been enjoyed solely by the American merchants; even now, excepting two or three mercantile speculators, but of trivial importance, who are British subjects …”

“… the trade is exclusively confined to the merchants of the United States, who have laudably permitted no opportunity to escape by which their commerce might be extended, and it is gradually now on the increase over the Polynesian Islands.”

“Not only in a mercantile point of view are the Sandwich Islands of importance; their geographical situation renders them an acquisition when politically considered, more particularly since the South American States have gained their independence.”

“The Americans view those islands with a jealous eye, and dread seeing them in the possession of a foreign power; they are well aware of their importance …”

“… and the visits of their ships of war for the purpose of keeping up a close intercourse with the king and native chiefs has become of late very frequent.”

“The following account of the visit of the American ship of war Vincennes, with the accompanying document sent by the Government of the United States to the King of the Sandwich Islands, sufficiently demonstrates the interest taken by them in these islands.”

“On the 15th Capt. Finch and his officers met the king and chiefs at the palace of Kauikeaouli, where they were gratified with a friendly reception.”

“The commander of the Vincennes then read a communication of his own to the king, and gave him both the original and a translation in the native language.”

“He then read also the communication from the President of the United States to the King of the Sandwich Islands, which he had brought; the same being read also from a translation into the native language, was delivered into the hands of the king.”

“This being finished, Capt. Finch delivered the presents which the President had sent. A pair of globes, terrestrial and celestial, and a map of the United States, to the King.”

“A silver vase to Kaahumanu, with her name and the American arms upon it. Two silver goblets to Nahienaena, with her name and the American arms. A map of the world to Governor Boki; and also a map of the world to Governor Adams.”

“The missionaries at the Sandwich Islands are now solely Americans, and all communication with the government being carried on through them as interpreters, all their acts must naturally tend to benefit that country alone of which they are citizens.”

“Civilization and commerce will gradually advance, if the first undertakings in the latter are not commenced on too extensive and too expensive a system.”

“The value now attached to coco-nut oil, since the late valuable discovery of its capability of being manufactured into candles, will render it an extensive article of commerce, and the tree is abundantly produced over nearly the whole of Polynesia …”

“… varieties of flax, Béche de mer, tortoise shell, &c. are now procured, and, by attention, sugar, cotton, and other tropical produce might be readily cultivated; the sugar manufactured by Mr. Bicknell and my friend Mr. S. P. Henry, at Tahiti, was of a superior kind and of a remarkably fine flavour, and affords an instance of what these islands are capable of producing.”

“A great benefit would be conferred on the navigators of the Southern Pacific, studded as it is with an infinite number of islands, reefs, &c. and the anxiety and danger would be diminished …”

“… if the British Government would send annually a small vessel of war from Sydney, for the purpose of surveying and ascertaining accurately the positions of the various islands, groups of islands and reefs.”

“The number of new discoveries annually made by the English and American whalers are very numerous, but the situations as laid down by them, are seldom to be depended on.”

“A vessel appointed for the purpose of survey should touch at Oahu, Sandwich Islands, and Bay of Islands, New Zealand, those being the principal ports of resort for the whalers and other vessels frequenting this sea …”

“… every information respecting recent discoveries could be readily obtained at those places, and of which, during my visit to the former port in December 1829, there existed a long list, most of which were not to be found in the charts.” (George Bennett, Member Of The Royal College Of Surgeons In London; in the Islands in 1829)

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June 21, 2018 by Peter T Young Leave a Comment

Policy of Great Britain toward the Hawaiian Islands (1824-1854)

Here are a number of correspondences between British leadership at the time that suggest the position of the British government on Hawai‘i during the reign of Kamehameha III. (All are from an Appendix in the Report of the Historical Commission of the Territory of Hawai‘i, 1925.)

A note of George Canning, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (July 14, 1824), to King George, Announcing the Death of Kamehameha II notes, “an Attention perhaps the more advisable as the Governments both of Russia and of the United States of America …”

“… are known to have their Eyes upon those Islands: which may ere long become a very important Station in the trade between the N. W. Coast of America and the China Seas.” (Canning to King George IV, July 14, 1824)

“On the Question of the Right of Great Britain to the Sandwich Islands … their Lordships confide in your Judgement and discretion in treating unforseen Circumstances according to the Principles of Justice and Humanity which actuate H[is] M[ajesty]’s Councils …”

“… and They recommend to You, that while You are ready to assert and vindicate H[is] M[ajesty] ‘s Rights, you will pay the greatest Regard to the Comfort, the Feelings, and even the Prejudices of the Natives, and will shew the utmost Moderation towards the Subjects of any other Powers, whom you may meet in those Islands.”

“H[is] M[ajesty] ‘s Rights you will, if necessary, be prepared to assert, but considering the Distance of the Place, and the Infant State of political Society there, You will avoid, as far as may be possible, the bringing these Rights into Discussion …”

“… and will propose that any disputed Point between Yourself and any Subjects of other Powers shall be referred to your respective Governments.” (Secret Instructions Given to Lord Byron, September 14, 1824)

“Considering the increasing importance to Great Britain of many of the islands in the Pacific, and especially of the Sandwich and Society Islands, both in a naval and commercial point of view …”

“… Lord Aberdeen is desirous of impressing on the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, the expediency of a more frequent intercourse between Great Britain and those Islands, by the visits of ships of war, than has hitherto been maintained.”

“[It appears from Captain Jones’ letter to Admiral Thomas that British trade in the Sandwich Islands had increased in the last three years from $20,000 to $150,000 annually, and] that at the time of his arrival there, two years had elapsed since a British Ship of War had visited those islands.”

“Lord Aberdeen is of opinion that such an increase of trade alone would fully justify the more frequent appearance of British ships of wax in those parts. It would also tend to maintain the just influence of Great Britain, and to counter balance the efforts which are now making by other Powers, to establish a dominant authority in the islands of the Pacific.”

“The object of Her Majesty’s (Queen Victoria) Government in increasing their connexion with the chiefs of those islands, ought, in the opinion of Lord Aberdeen, to be rather to strengthen those authorities and to give them a sense of their own independence, by leaving the administration of justice in their own hands …”

“… than to make them feel their dependence on Foreign Powers, by interfering unnecessarily in every matter in which a foreign subject is concerned, and to compel those rulers by peremptory menace, or a show of physical force …”

“… to render to foreign subjects that measure of justice which may appear to the aggrieved person, or to the officer who steps forward in his behalf, to be his due. (Viscount Canning, Under Secretary of State to Sir John Barrow, Second Secretary of Admiralty, October 4, 1842)

“Her Majesty’s Government have no intention of retaining permanent possession of that country; and they have already given, both to the French Government and to that of the United States, an assurance to that effect. But it will be desirable that possession should be held, until the grievances complained of shall have been finally and formally redressed.”

“Her Majesty’s Government have already announced to the Ruler of the Sandwich Islands, their intention to acknowledge his independence. The United States have, it is understood, already taken that step; and the French Government have declared that they are ready, and intend to adopt the same course.”

“Therefore there appears to be no reason to apprehend that when Great Britain gives up her present possession of that country, it will fall into the hands of any other Power.”

“Never-the-less in order to provide against such a possible contingency, Her Majesty’s Government propose, before they release the Chief of the Sandwich Islands from the conditions into which he entered with Lord George Paulet, to endeavour to come to an understanding with the French Government …”

“… to the effect that both Governments shall engage not to assume to themselves any separate or special protection over that country; but that, on the contrary, both Governments shall equally recognise, and at all times treat the King of the Sandwich Islands as an independent ruler, and his country as open to all nations alike.” (Foreign Office to Admiralty, July 11, 1843)

“I have to desire that you will lose no time in officially assuring the Government of the United States that this Act (Paulet’s) was entirely unauthorized by Her Majesty’s Government, and that they propose, with the least practicable delay, to call on Lord George Paulet to render an account of his conduct.” (Foreign Office to Henry S Fox, British Ambassador to the United States, June 3, 1843)

“Without giving way to unreasonable jealousy or suspicion, it is desirable that you, should constantly keep a vigilant eye on the proceedings of the French in the Pacific, and that you should report on them to Her Majesty’s Government whenever you may have the means of safe communication.”

“But I do not wish that you should make any parade of vigilance with respect to the French. The less you appear to watch them the more surely you will be able to do so with effect.” (Earl of Aberdeen, Secretary of State to William Miller, British Consul General for the Hawaiian Islands September 29, 1843)

“Our only object is to secure the independence and permanent well-being of that country. … All that the British Govt, desire is that British Subjects and British interests in general should be placed upon the same footing with the subjects and interests of other Countries …”

“… and also that that footing should be such as to prevent, so far as possible, all future misunderstanding and contention between the respective Govts.” (Aberdeen to Miller, July 1, 1844)

“Her Majesty’s Government have learnt with great satisfaction that the attempts to bring about the annexation of the Sandwich Islands to the United States have been so completely defeated, and principally owing to the stand in favour of Independence which has been made by Prince Alexander and John Ii, a Member of the Upper House …”

“… and I have to instruct you to convey to the Prince and to such other Persons as you may think expedient the expression of that satisfaction on the part of her Majesty’s Government.” (Earl of Clarendon, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, to Miller, June 26, 1854)

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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)

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