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PERSONAL REMINISCENCES
OF
WILLIAM   COOPER PARKE.




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PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


OF


WILLIAM


COOPER


PARKE,


flarsial of the Daloatian 3El1ant,
FROM 1850 TO I884.
REWRITTEN AND ARRANGED BY HIS SON,
WILLIAM    C. PARKE.
CAMBRIDGE, U.S.A.:
PRINTED AT THE UNIVERSITY PRESS.
I89I.


Hawaiian gopyright by W. g, Parke, Jartuary 2, 1892,




cDm v




f r _-/,  V


PREFATORY NOTE.
HE articles which compose the contents of
this small work were begun by my late
father, and left uncompleted at the time of his
death, May 29, I889.
As no directions were left by him, I felt it incumbent on me to complete these records as best I
could.  This I have done, although I do not lay
any claim to be a writer. I hope that my labors
will be criticised gently, and that the records herein
made will be found interesting as a brief account
of some events which occurred in the Hawaiian
Islands in days that are long past, the memory of
which is worth preserving, as those who are acquainted with these events are few and rapidly
passing away.
I am much indebted to Mr. G. D. Gilman, of
Boston, Mass., an old friend of my father, for kind
aid and assistance in publishing this book.
W. C. PARKE.
HONOLULU, H. I.
June 27, I890.




NOTE.


IT is very much to be regretted that the decease of
Mr. PARKE has prevented the full record of many
stirring incidents in his eventful official life at the
Islands which he had contemplated and partly prepared.
During the many years he was connected most intimately with the Executive departments of the Hawaiian
Government, he was a most trusted and faithful officer.
He possessed to a large degree the full confidence of
the highest officials of the Government, - from the
several kings, under whom he served, to the lowest
subordinate.
Mr. PARKE'S resignation of the office which he had
held satisfactorily for so many years, was made the
occasion of a marked testimonial from the Supreme
Court to his worth as an officer and to his merit as
a man, which testimonial was cordially indorsed by the
public. Resigning the cares of office, Mr. PARKE passed
his later years amidst the community in which he had
lived so long, affectionately regarded as a public-spirited
citizen, a warm-hearted friend, and that noblest work of
God,-an honest man.


G. D. G.




CONTENTS.
PAGE
MY APPOINTMENT AS MARSHAL..........    9
THE FIRST ELECTION OF REPRESENTATIVES, BY BALLOT.  19
THE MARKS' CONSPIRACY CASE....24
THE SHIP "GAME-COCK" AND HER PASSENGERS...      27
MOVEMENT FOR RECIPROCITY IN 852......  32
THE SAILOR RIOT OF 1852............ 35
THE PROMULGATION OF THE CONSTITUTION OF 1852... 45
THE FIRST CASE OF SMALL-POX IN THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS  49
t'HE SMALL-POX EPIDEMIC OF I853........    52
'THE REPORT OF THE ROYAL HEALTH COMMISSIONERS..62
THE DEATH OF KAMEHAMEHA III. AND ACCESSION OF
KAMEHAMEHA  IV............         65
THE TUG " PELE".....                        79
MY VISIT TO THE STATES IN 1855.....82
THE MARRIAGE OF KAMEHAMEHA IV.......     85
THE YACHT "THEMIS"...........      91
KAONA, THE RELIGIOUS FANATIC, AND HIS REBELLION..  99
NOTES................... 107




I




PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.
MY APPOINTMENT AS MARSHAL.
ON the 27th of May, I85O, the late Chief-Justice Lee,
in company with the Hon. John Young, at that time
Minister of the Interior, called on me, saying they had
been sent by his Majesty Kamehameha III. to ask me
to accept the office of Marshal of the Kingdom, as the
present marshal, Mr. T. Metcalf, had sent in his resignation. After some conversation with the gentlemen, I
declined the offer, and asked them to give the King my
answer, and at the same time to thank him for the honor
he had shown me in offering me the position. The next
day his Majesty sent for me, and asked me to reconsider
the matter and accept. I again declined, as I thought a
more suitable man could be found. The following day I
was asked to call again at the Palace, when the King
still urged me to accept; but I told him I could not decide
the question then. After a second call from Mr. Young,
who said the King was still anxious for me to accept, I




IO


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


called on some of the prominent residents, and asked
them their opinion. They all advised me to accept. I
therefore notified his Majesty that I should not apply for
the office, but would accept it, if he saw fit to appoint me.
On the following Monday, June I, 1850, I received my
commission as Marshal of the Hawaiian Islands, which
office I held until Oct. I, I884, when his Majesty Kalakaua requested my resignation for political reasons.
At the time of my appointment the police force in the
district of Kona, Oahu, consisted of one hundred men,
thirty of whom were paid by the month, the others receiving one half of all fines imposed. The following day in
company with the Governor of Oahu, M. Kekuanaoa, I
visited the Fort where the entire police force had assembled, and they were then told that I had been appointed
Marshal, and were therefore under my control. I found
there were no rules or regulations for the force, neither
did the men wear any distinguishing badge, except a red
cloth band for their caps, which they wore when it suited
them to do so. I had the men divided into watches, with
a captain for each watch, and had leather bands made for
their caps, with "' Police " and the man's number painted
on them. The unpaid police continued to receive half of
the fines, but were obliged to report each day to a Luna
Makai, or head man, who in turn reported to me; but
scattered as they were over the whole district, it was
hard work to make them keep up to this rule. The Fort
at this time took the place of a prison for the whole
island, and on examining the cells, I found them in a




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


II


very bad condition. When the French troops left the
Fort, Sept. 4, I849, they destroyed everything they could
lay their hands on; windows were broken in, furniture
smashed, the walls written over with bad language, and
the fastenings taken from the doors of the cells. The
only way of securing the prisoners at night was to place
a heavy pole against a cell door, the other end resting in a
hole some distance from the door, so that the pole might
be on a slant. As some of the occupants were rather desperate characters, this mode of securing them was hardly
sufficient. The guard numbered seventy-five men and
officers, and as the prisoners numbered over a hundred,
I took the precaution to have the former drilled to the
use of arms by the marine officers of both an English and
an American man-of-war, then in port. Marine officer
Reid of the " Vandalia" did a great deal for the men, and
on April 3, 1852, he received through Captain Gardner a
letter of thanks from the King. The men improved rapidly in their drill, and at the end of a year were as well
drilled a force as one could see anywhere. They were a
fine looking company, as they were selected with regard
to height and size; and their native captain, Mahuka,
took great pride to have his men appear well.
The Fort continued to be used as a prison and insane
asylum as well until 1857, so that at times it was very
difficult to carry out the rules and regulations. The cells
were very crowded at this time, the larger ones holding
thirty persons, and the smaller fifteen; in addition to
these, in the fall of 1850, I had forty or fifty sailors locked




12


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


up, who had deserted from whale ships, and as these men
were rather bad characters, I had hard work to enforce
the discipline of the Fort. A Station House was now
built at the foot of Nuuanu Avenue, where the office of
the Water Works formerly stood; but this was burned
during the Sailor Riot of November, 1852, caused by the
death of a sailor named Burns. A second Station House
was built in the fall of 1853, and this also was destroyed
by fire, which originated in the burning of the Varieties
Theatre, July 7, 1855; this building stood on the corner
of King and Bethel streets.
I now found it necessary to call the attention of the
King and Privy Council to the fact that a large number
of men were coming here from California, who were
disappointed gold-hunters; and as many of them were of
the lowest and most desperate character, it was more
than the ordinary police could do to watch their movements, in addition to their regular work. On the 24th of
October, 1850, a public meeting was held to appoint a
committee to confer with the one already appointed by
the King in Privy Council, in relation to a Special Police and Fire Department. This joint committee later
made a report in which, with other matters, there was
recommended -
First. The increase of the present police force of
Honolulu by the addition of twelve foreigners, to be paid
at the rate of $75 per month.
Second. The payment to the Marshal of a salary of
$,000ooo per annum.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


3


Third. The organization of a Special Police for Honolulu, consisting of fifty residents, who were to be under
the Marshal's orders, and who were to assist the regular
police in case of emergency.
Sixth. The organization of Fire Engine and Hook
and Ladder companies, subject to the orders of a Chief
Engineer.
The following preamble and resolution were also
adopted: -
" Whereas, credible information having been received
by several gentlemen to the effect that these islands
are threatened with an invasion of an armed force of
ruffians from the shores of California, therefore, be it
"Resolved, That this meeting request any and all good
citizens having such information in their possession, or
receiving such, to lay the same before a committee to
be chosen by this meeting, in order that such committee, after careful consideration and weighing well such
reports, may recommend such measures (if any) as ought
in the opinion of such committee to be taken concerning
the subject."
H. N. Crabbe, R. H Bowlin, and A. B. Howe were
chosen to serve as this committee. A number of the most
respectable residents offered their services and greatly
assisted the committee in their duties, and the King in
Privy Council substantially adopted the report regarding
the Special Police and other matters.




14


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


A few months previous to my taking office, the following named gentlemen had been selected by Governor
Kekuanaoa to aid the native police in the performance
of their duties:

JAMES F. B. MARSHALL.
Capt. B. F. SNOW.
" THOS. SPENCER.
t Jos. MEEK.
N. F. SAYER.
CHAS. N. VINCENT.
J. H. BROWN.
J. W. AUSTIN.


JULIUS ANTHON.
WILLIAM JARRETT.
WARREN GOODALE.
ROBT. S. BARKER.
HENRY SEA.
PAUL MANINI.
A. PAKI.
JOHN II.


J. KAEO.
JNO. G. LEWIS.
W. F. STUDLEY.
IICIAH SCUDDER.
F. L. HANKS.
0. G. CLIFFORD.
W. C. PARKE.
J. M. BRYAN.


Some of the events in the earlier years of my holding office were very exciting, and deserve special mention, which will be made later on. I will now refer
to the condition of the courts in the early part of the
" fifties."
The Superior Court at this period consisted of William
L. Lee Chief-Justice, and Lorrin Andrews and John Ii,
Associate Justices. Judge Lee held a very prominent
place in the Government, and a great deal of praise is
due him, as he did more than any one else in forming
the laws and regulating the business connected with the
Court. He started from his home in New York with the
intention of settling in Oregon; and in company with
him was Mr. C. R. Bishop. Their vessel was obliged to
touch here for water; and Mr. Lee was persuaded by
Dr. Judd to remain, which he concluded to do, as did




OF HWILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


I5


Mr. Bishop,- Mr. Lee remaining here until his death,
which occurred in 1857.
The Court at the time I am writing held its sessions in
the building now occupied by the Sisters of the Sacred
Heart on Fort Street. As the house was not large enough
to contain all the offices comfortably, it was decided to
erect a suitable building, which was done; and on June I6,
1853, the Court moved into its new quarters, which are
now occupied by H. Hackfeld & Co.
The work of the Police Court was carried on at the
same place until May, 1874, when the work had so increased that a separate building was necessary. A proper
Police Station was then erected on King Street, where
the Court held its sessions until this building was destroyed by the great Chinatown fire, April I8, I886. At
the same time (May, 1874) all the Government offices
were moved into the new building, "Aliiolani Hall," at
Mililani, where they still are at present. Previous to the
time of which I am writing, Judge Lee had drawn up a
law to settle land titles, also the rules and regulations
which the Board of Land Commissioners used in connection with their work. This Board was composed of the
following gentlemen: William Richards, John Ricord,
J. Y. Kanehoa, John Ii, Z. Kaauwai, and afterward Judge
Lee was added to the number.
The chiefs at this time were very powerful, and as a
whole did not approve of the changes being made, so that
the Board of Commissioners had no light task to settle
all the claims that came before it satisfactorily. Great




PERSONA L REMINISCENCES


care was taken that the rights of the common people
should be respected, in order that they might not lose
confidence in the foreigners. The Board were greatly
aided in their work by Mr. Joseph Smith, the Secretary,
who indexed all the claims, and kept on with this work
for some time after the regular Board was dissolved.
In 1852 a new Constitution was proclaimed, under
which the Superior Court was changed to the Supreme
Court, and Judge Lee was appointed Chief-Justice, and
Justices Andrews and Ii continued in office. On Jan. Io,
1855, Justice Andrews resigned, and Mr. G. M. Robertson succeeded him. Chief-Justice Lee continued in his
office until his death, which took place May 28, I857.
He was succeeded by the late Hon. Elisha H. Allen, on
June 4 of the same year, who continued in office until his
resignation Feb. I, 1877.
Reference has been made to the formation of a Fire
Department, and it may be interesting to those now living
here to know how the first company was formed. Previous to my appointment there was no Chief Engineer,
every one at an alarm of fire running to it and working in
his own way. As most of the houses in those days were
made of grass, a fire was easily extinguished by getting
hooks into the thatch, and pulling the house down, when
the fire was easily trampled out; or the adobe walls
were pulled down, and the earth thrown on, which soon
smothered the fire. The property of the first company
consisted of one HIook and Ladder carriage, and a small
Hannamann engine, the property of C. Brewer & Co. To




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


I7


work the latter, the water had first to be poured into it,
and then pumped out by hand, which was of course very
slow work, and, as it had only fifty feet of hose, was often
almost useless.  In December of I849 the brig " Potapsco" touched here on her way from Boston to San Francisco, and anchored outside. During a heavy southerly
gale she parted her cables, and was driven ashore, being
much damaged, although her cargo was saved. Among
it was an old No. 9 engine of Boston, and some leather
hose, about one hundred feet in all.  When the cargo
was sold, I persuaded the Minister of the Interior to buy
the engine and hose; and soon after I called a meeting
of the citizens, and we formed a Fire Company, which
elected me chief engineer. The first time we had occasion to use the hose it burst, being old and rotten. The
question then arose how to get a new one, as it would
take a year to get a supply from the East; we were
therefore obliged to see what could be done. Some one
suggested making a hose out of cotton duck. Mr. J. H.
Wood, then in the boot and shoe trade, made one two
hundred feet long out of the suggested material; it was
then soaked in strong salt brine to shrink it, and, absurd as it may seem, this hose did good service for a
long time.
On the 27th of December, I850, the Legislature passed
a law placing the Fire Department on a good footing, and
at the request of the first company, Mr. A. J. Cartwright
was elected chief engineer, which office he held for a
number of years. At this time I terminated my connec3




I 8       PERSONAL REMINISCENCES
tion with the Fire Company, as my other duties became
more numerous. There may be some now living who
can recall the days referred to, and remember the hard
work required in running the old-fashioned hand-engine;
but as now, the residents responded heartily to the alarm
whenever it sounded, and did good work too.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


19


THE FIRST ELECTION        OF REPRESENTATIVES, BY BALLOT.
THE first election for representatives of the people to
the Legislature, by ballot, took place Jan. 6, 85 I.
In Honolulu the election was held in the Old Armory,
over the store now occupied by C. Brewer & Co. At this
time there were no election lists made out; all that was
required of a voter in order to vote, was to produce his
tax receipt. I had a double rail made at the mauka end
of the Armory for the voters to pass between, one at a
time. As they voted, their names were taken down by
the clerk, and the tax receipt returned, so as not to allow
any one to vote a second time. The natives thought it a
great day for them, and here in Honolulu it was celebrated with a great many feasts, or luaus, and horseback
parties. The entire election passed off in a very quiet
manner.  I had written to each of the sheriffs on the
other islands, giving them the best instructions I could,
as to the manner of arranging and conducting the polling
places.
The following are the names of those who were
returned, together with the officers elected for the
session -




20


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


William L. Lee, Speaker.
I. Francis Funk.          13. Moses Kauohai.
2. Peter J. Gulick.       14. Kahoopii.
3. A. W. Parsons.         I5. Kalaihoa.
4. Godfrey Rhodes.        i6. J. Kalili.
5. G. M. Robertson.       17. S. Kapehe.
6. T. C. B. Rooke.        i8. S. M. Kamakau.
7. Barenala.              19. J. Kekaulahao.
8. L. S. Ua.              20. G. W. Lilikalani.
9. Ukeke.                 21. D. Lokomaikai.
io. Kaapa.                 22. John Richardson.
I. E. Kaahalama.          23. Wahinemaikai.
12. Z. Kaauwai.
Rev. E. W. Clark was elected Chaplain; E. M. Hunt, Clerk;
W. C. Parke, Sergeant-at-Arms; and A. S. Thurston, Interpreter.
The first House of Parliament was formally opened by
the King, Kamehameha III., May 6th, at the Kawaiahao
Church, which was crowded with an unusually large
number of natives and foreigners on this auspicious
occasion. The Diplomatic and Consular Corps, also the
captain and officers of H. M. S. "Dedalus," were in full
attendance. A platform had been erected in front of the
pulpit, the King and Queen, with the members of the
Ministry, occupying it. As they entered and took their
seats, the large audience rose, and at the same time a
salute was fired from Punchbowl Hill. After their Majesties were seated, the Chaplain of the House offered
prayer; his Majesty then read his speech in Hawaiian,
his Excellency R. C. Wyllie, the Minister of Foreign




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


21


Affairs, reading it afterwards in English.    It was as
follows:
" NOBLES AND REPRESENTATIVES, -I have called you together
to deliberate on all matters for the good of my Kingdom and of
my people.
" The questions with France, relating to which I depatched my
Minister of Finance as Plenipotentiary Extraordinary to that
Government, were not settled in Paris as I had expected. But
the French Government named a commissioner of their own to
inquire into and settle such questions here. That desirable result
has not been fully attained. After months of conference and discussion the declaration of the 25th of March was agreed to; the
Commissioner of France has applied to his Government for fresh
instructions; diplomatic relations have not been fully restored,
but having on my part referred certain claims for indemnity to the
President of the French Republic, I hope that he, meeting me in
a corresponding spirit, will issue such instructions as to put an end
to an attitude of hostility toward my Kingdom taken by France,
which I have regretted, and have never sought in any way to retaliate. I am not conscious of any act of my Government of
which France has any reason to complain. No interruption has
occurred to my very friendly relations with Great Britain since
your last session. With the United States also my relations continue of the most friendly kind. The treaty negotiated in Washington on the 20th of December, I849, was ratified by me on
the 9Ith of August, I850.
"The treaty of Jan. 8, I848, with the Free Hauseatic City of
Hamburg, which was transmitted with my ratification, was ratified
by the President Burgomaster on the 27th of December, I849.
"With all other States my relations are friendly. I have




22


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


ordered my ministers to lay before you the Annual Reports of
the Departments over which I have placed them. I submit to
your consideration the question of the reduction of the duty on
spirituous liquors to two and a half dollars, as a maximum per
gallon, as a measure of political economy, which the Chamber of
Commerce of my capital have strongly recommended. It is
equally my wish that, by careful investigation and consideration
of facts, you place yourselves in a position to decide if the equality between the Catholics and the Protestants under the protection of the Constitution and the laws does not still require something for its perfect application. The Resolutions passed in
December, I849, granting to my subjects engaged in the cultivation of the soil allodial titles to the portions they occupied, confirmed by the Act of the 6th of August last, and the Act of the Ioth
of July, I850, allowing aliens to acquire and convey lands in fee-simple, have greatly promoted the prosperity of my people and of
the many industrious foreigners who live among them. You will
consider what further enactments may be required to give full
effect to those beneficial laws. The markets of California, Oregon, Vancouvers Island, the possession of the Russian American
Company and of Kamschatka, afford a profitable outlet for more
than my Islands can produce. It is desirable to increase productions to the greatest possible extent, and with that view to encourage foreign capital and labor. With that view you will
consider what further legislation may be required. The want of
good roads and bridges to those parts where produce can be
shipped, is severely felt in many places. It will be for you to
consider what can be done to remedy that want, and whether the
act subdividing districts into townships may not be improved,
so as that the inhabitants of districts and townships may carry out
their own improvements.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


23


" I have frequently called your attention to the unsatisfactory
state of the prisons throughout my Islands. An immediate and
thorough reform is urgently wanted so as to combine the principle of reforming criminals with that of their secure detention.
With the increase of shipping the want of greater wharfage and
facilities of pilotage has been severely felt. It will be for you to
consider what improvements ought to be made in those respects.
The public health is one of the objects most worthy of your consideration. Cholera, that scourge of humanity, has only recently
caused its ravages in the port with which we have most frequent
and the speediest communication. The history of that epidemic
proves that it recurs at intervals, and often takes years before it
leaps from one place to another. It would be wise for us to
adopt those sanitary regulations which universal experience has
recommended, before it appears among us. All places that have
neglected them have suffered for their supineness.
"The report of the Minister of Finance will show you that the
revenue of the Kingdom, though small, is adequate to all the
wants of my administration, and leaves a surplus for works of
public improvement. It will be for you, in view of the estimates,
to vote what supplies are required for the current year, and to
consider what suggestions for the improvement of the revenue
or of the system of taxation may conduce to the general welfare." -Polynesian, May o, i85i.




24         PERSONAL REAMINISCENCES
THE MARKS' CONSPIRACY CASE.
IN the early part of I85I, a family by the name of
Marks, consisting of Caspar, his wife Julia, their two sons
Joseph and Henry, and a daughter Janet, arrived here.
They were accompanied by Mr. Henry Butler.   This
was during the gold-fever times in California, and the
family brought with them some 454 ounces of gold-dust,
valued at about $8,o00, which they wished to sell.
At that time the merchants here purchased gold-dust;
so the Marks brothers, Joseph and Henry, with Mr. Butler, called on Mr. Apong, a Chinese merchant, who then
occupied a store where Lewers and Cooke now are, to
offer him the gold-dust. In answer to Mr. Apong's inquiry as to where the gold was, they told him it was at
their house in Adams Yard on Hotel Street, and invited
Mr. Apong to call that evening and see it.
Mr. Apong called about seven o'clock that evening, and
saw the gold-dust. The question then arose as to the
price per ounce. The whole family was present during
the transaction, but the business was carried on by the
two brothers and Butler.
As no sale was effected, Mr. Apong soon left, accompanied by the two brothers and Butler, the latter carrying
the gold-dust.
At the corner of Fort and Hotel streets Mr. Apong left
them, and the others went to the French Hotel.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


25


As I have already said, Butler had the gold-dust, but
what he did with it is a mystery to this day.
I think it was buried in some place up in Nuuanu
Valley, and possibly some one may come unexpectedly
upon a gold mine at some time; hut it is more probable
that Butler returned for it later and carried it off. At all
events he was traced up the Valley that night to where
the path turns off to one of the bathing-places.
When the Marks brothers came home, their mother
asked them where the money for the gold-dust was. They
said Butler had gone for it. When Butler returned soon
after, he was asked for the money, but said he had left
the dust with Mr. Apong, and was to call for the money
the following morning.
The next day Mr. Butler and Mr. Marks called on Mr.
Apong and demanded the money in payment for the golddust he had bought.
Naturally Mr. Apong was very much astonished, and
denied having ever received it. This affair resulted in a
suit being brought by Caspar Marks against Mr. Apong
to recover the sum of $8,000, the alleged value of the
gold-dust said to have been delivered to Mr. Apong by
Butler and Henry Marks.
It is needless to say that the jury brought in a verdict
for the defendant. I then arrested Henry Butler and
Joseph Marks for conspiracy, in undertaking to defraud
Mr. Apong of the sum of $8,ooo, and for falsely testifying
in the suit of Marks v. Apong.
Before the trial Butler made a voluntary confession
4




26


PERSONAL REMIISCENCES


before Justice Burbank and myself, in which he stated
that the whole suit instituted against Apong was a concerted scheme on the part of himself, Henry Marks, and
his mother Julia, to get $8,000 out of the Chinaman with
out any consideration whatever. Also that the story of
Mr. Apong's buying the gold-dust was a sham, and the
entire testimony relating to it a tissue of falsehood.
At the trial, however, Butler denied the truth of his
confession, and gave as his reason for making it that he
had quarrelled with the Marks family on account of their
refusing to bail him out of prison, and took his revenge
in this manner.
The jury after a brief absence returned with a verdict
of " guilty," and the court sentenced each of the prisoners
to imprisonment for the term of two years. It was an
extraordinary case, and two more barefaced rogues were
never seen in a court of justice.
After this Mr. Apong brought a suit against Henry
Marks, Julia Marks, and Janet Marks, for injuring his
reputation as a merchant. As Janet was a minor, the suit
was discontinued as far as she was concerned. Julia
Marks alleged that she was a married woman, which fact
the jury considered, and rendered their verdict against
Henry Marks for $2,500. I was of the opinion that
Mrs. Marks and her daughter were innocent of taking
any part in the conspiracy. Mr. Apong was one of the
most respected merchants in the place, and such a charge
against him took the whole community by surprise.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.             27
THE SHIP "GAME-COCK" AND            HER
PASSENGERS.
ON Saturday, Nov. 15, I851, the ship "Game-Cock"
arrived here from San Francisco, with Mr. Samuel Brannan and twenty-four other gentlemen connected with
him.
This party came here with the idea that his Majesty
Kamehameha III. was so hampered by the missionaries
that he would gladly give up his kingdom and crown, and
retire on an annuity for life, with his chiefs, who were
also to be provided for.
This was the reason given by Mr. Brannan for coming,
and the following plan had been arranged between himself
and his friends: Mr. Brannan was to be Governor-General of the Islands; and the lesser offices, such as governor of the different islands, were to be appointed among
his party. One was to be Collector of the Port, another,
Commander of the Troops, and so on. On their arrival
they moved into the Bungalow, which stood on Richard
Street, on the land now owned by Mr. Bolster.  This
house was built by Mr. Theodore Shillaber, and was a
handsome coral-stone building, which Mr. Brannan purchased at once.
The vessel arrived in the morning, and in the afternoon
of the same day one of the party was arrested for furious
riding.




28


PERSONAL REMINISECECES


On being arrested he drew a revolver, but was knocked
down by the constable, his revolver taken from him, and
he was brought to the Fort.
In a short time Mr. Brannan called on me in regard to
this man. I then told him that the object of his mission
was known, and that he had been misinformed as to the
condition of affairs. I also advised Mr. Brannan to be
careful of his actions, as he and the rest of his party were
being watched.
In regard to the man arrested, I told Mr. Brannan that
the carrying of weapons was prohibited by law, and that
to draw a weapon on an officer was a serious matter; and
I further requested him to inform the rest of the party of
this law.
Matters remained quiet for a few days. In the mean
time I had become acquainted with some of the party, and
found one of them who for a consideration would divulge
their secrets; so I was informed from day to day as to
their plans. At the time the party arrived here the King
was at Lahaina; consequently they had not been able to
interview him.
On the following day I was told that a committee had
been appointed by them to go to Lahaina, to see the
King, and lay their proposition before him.
This was on Monday, November 24, and they were
to go on the schooner " Maria," commanded by Captain
Hobron. As soon as I received this information, I called
on the Ministry and told them of the proposed plan.
John Ii and Governor Kekuanaoa were sent for, and it




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


29


was decided that I should go up and forestall this committee, armed with two letters, - one from John Young,
and one from John Ii.
I then made my arrangements, and from the Fort
watched the actions of the Committee. I saw them go
down to the schooner with their gripsacks, place them on
board, and then return to their house. Seeing that the
wind was from the south, I supposed the captain had told
them he could not get out. I then went to him and said
that it was very important that I should proceed to Lahaina at once; so if he would get two whale-boats to tow
the schooner out, I would pay all the expenses of hiring
them. He agreed to this, and I went on board. He went
in search of the boats, and in ten minutes we were on our
way out of the harbor. We had a good run to Lahaina,
arriving at IO A.M. the next day.
I went to the King's residence and delivered my letters,
which advised his Majesty to act as I should suggest. I
then proposed to him that as the Committee would in all
probability come up by the next vessel he should call out
his Hulumanus, and have them stand guard around his
premises, which would prevent any person from coming
into the yard without permission.
I also suggested to the King that he should send for
Mr. G. D. Gilman to act as Interpreter, in case the Committee arrived; which plan was adopted. After making
other necessary arrangements, I left the same night for
Honolulu. As the schooner came up to the wharf the
next day the three Committee-men were there; and when




30


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


they saw me, they said so loudly that I could hear them,
" That damned Marshal has been to Lahaina, and prevented our seeing the King." They started however that
day for Lahaina, and on their arrival called on the King;
but the guard at the gate refused to allow them to enter.
They then sent in their cards; meanwhile Mr. Gilman
had been sent for, and through him the King declined to
see them.
The Committee therefore returned to Honolulu greatly
disgusted at the failure of their plan.
At a meeting held that evening, my informant told me
that my name was mentioned by them in anything but
complimentary terms.
By this time the party saw their game was up; they also
consulted a number of the residents, who told them they
were on the wrong track.
There was at this time a large fleet of whale-ships in
port, the captains and officers of which were not in a very
friendly state of feeling toward Brannan and his party,
owing to the fact that the mail-bags which came down in
the " Game-Cock " had been broken open, and all letters
to them destroyed;1 in consequence of this they came
very near giving some of the party a coat of tar and
feathers. A few days after my return from Lahaina,
there was found one morning a large placard posted on
the fence in front of the Snow premises on Merchant
Street, where Mr. C. O. Berger's office now stands. This
placard referred to the whole party; they were all allotted
1 See " Polynesian " of March 6, I852.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


3 I


some position in the Government,-from Mr. Brannan
as Governor-General, down to one of them as Tax Collector of Honolulu.
The party accused one of their number, a Pole by birth
and a portrait painter, of having made the placard, as it
was done with a marking-brush. A few nights later
when this Pole was in the bar-room of the French Hotel
(the premises now occupied by the Hawaiian Carriage
Manufactory, on Fort Street), the party attacked him
and treated him in a shameful manner. The police were
called in, and some four or five of the assaulters were
arrested and locked up in the Fort for the night, and
fined the next day.
I can vouch that the Pole had no hand in the placard,
for I saw it printed and posted up myself.
This, together with the arrest of some of the party for
breaking open the mails, put a decisive check on their
adventure.
Mr. Brannan had left in disgust before this occurrence;
and in a short time they had all left the Kingdom wiser
men than when they came here, with the exception of
one or two. And so ended the "; Game-Cock " fiasco.




32      PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


MOVEMENT FOR RECIPROCITY IN 1852.
THE following is taken from the" Polynesian " of March
6, I852, in relation to the above heading:On Feb. 28, 1852, a meeting of the Board of Managers of
the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society was held in Honolulu,
to consider the subject of memorializing the Hawaiian Government in relation to the unequal bearing of the treaty between the
United States and this Kingdom, and to petition his Majesty, in
Council, to open a negotiation with the United States, or with their
Commissioner here accredited, that will secure the introduction
of certain staples of each country into the ports of the other free
of duty. After discussion, it was
Resolved, That it is the opinion of this meeting that a respectful petition be addressed to the King in Council, praying his
Majesty, so far as his existing treaties will permit, to grant an
exemption from all duties on flour, lumber, staves and heading,
fish and coal, the produce of and imported from the ports of the
United States, to take effect from the date when the Government
of the United States may permit the same exemption in the ports
of the United States of the sugar, syrup of sugar, molasses, and
coffee, the produce of and imported from the Hawaiian Islands.
Whereupon the following memorial was unanimously adopted,
and the President duly empowered by the Board to present the
same to his Majesty in Council as soon as practicable.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


33


MEMORIAL.
To HIS MAJESTY, THE KING OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
In Privy Council.
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY, —The Board of Managers of
the Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society, believing that the independence and welfare of your Majesty's Kingdom depend upon
the prosperity of its agriculture; that the unequal bearing of
the treaty between your Majesty and the United States, in regard
to duties, is highly injurious to the planting, commercial, and
other great interests of your islands; and that the United States
are sincerely desirous of upholding your Majesty's independence,
and of promoting the prosperity and happiness of the Hawaiian
people,- beg leave respectfully to petition your Majesty to open
a negotiation with the Government of the United States, or with
their Commissioner at your Majesty's Court, for the admission
of the sugar, syrup of sugar, molasses, and coffee, produced on
your islands, in all ports of the United States, free of duty; and
to be pleased to enact that, in consideration thereof, the flour,
fish, coal, lumber, staves, and heading, of the United States, shall
be admitted free of duty in all the ports of your Kingdom, open
to Foreign Trade.
By order of the Board of Managers,
WILLIAM L. LEE.
It was furtherResolved, That a copy of the memorial of the Board be passed
to the Hon. Luther Severance, Commissioner of the United
States, with a respectful request that he use his kind offices in
promoting the end proposed.
5




34


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


On March Ist of the same year the King in Privy
Council passed an act on the basis as set forth in the
memorial, but nothing came of this attempt. The first
attempt for a Reciprocity Treaty with the United States
had been made in October of I848 with Mr. Buchanan,
and again in November of I849 with Mr. Clayton, by Mr.
J. J. Jarvis on behalf of the Hawaiian Government; but
both attempts were unsuccessful. In February of 1852
the same subject was again brought up, as I have already
written. A second attempt was made in March or April
of 1855 by Chief-Justice Lee, when a treaty was negotiated, but was not ratified. In I864 the Hon. Elisha H.
Allen was accredited to Washington in behalf of a treaty
as Minister Plenipotentiary; and three years later another
effort was made by Hon. C. C. Harris as Commissioner,
who was succeeded by Dr. J. M. Smith. In 1873 a renewed effort was made, on the basis of a cession of Pearl
River for a naval station; but the offer of the cession was
subsequently withdrawn. In October of 1874 the attempt
was renewed again, and the Hon. E. H. Allen and Mr.
H. A. P. Carter were sent to Washington as Commissioners; and on Aug. 14, 1876, the treaty was ratified by
the Senate. When the news reached Honolulu on the
24th of the same month it caused great rejoicing.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


35


THE SAILOR RIOT OF 1852.
THE whaling season of 1852 had been wonderfully successful, the fleet coming into Honolulu fairly loaded down
with oil and bone; every barrel and container that could
be used was full, the decks even being used for storing
bone. As the fleet at this time numbered some two hundred vessels, the harbor was completely filled with them,
they being moored in two lines so close to each other that
it was said one could walk from one vessel to the other
all the way from the water front to the entrance of the
harbor. Only a narrow passage-way was left between the
two lines, to enable vessels to put to sea. The crews
numbered over three thousand men, composed of different
nationalities, many being hard characters. When ashore
in large bodies it was difficult to keep them in order, as
the native police were not always to be depended on, and
the number of resident foreigners subject to be called
upon for assistance was not large.
Naturally, with so large a number of sailors in the town,
there was more or less drunkenness, fast riding, and quarrels. It did not take much to cause a disturbance or riot,
as there was a good deal of bad feeling between the sailors
and police; and in such an event the former, as a matter




36


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


of course, would all stand by one another. On the evening of the 8th of November, a sailor named Henry Burns,
of the ship " Emerald," was arrested for drunkenness and
disorderly conduct, and locked up in one of the cells in
the Fort, in which there were already some eight or ten
disturbers, as all the other lock-ups were full. During
the night, Burns, who was crazy drunk, tore up the bricks
in the floor of the cell, and threw them against the door.
The jailor, George Sherman, who was just on the point
of leaving the Fort, hearing this noise, or "row," as he
called it, went to the door and called out to Burns and
the others to stop. As they paid no attention to him, he
opened the door and stepped in. The cell was pitch dark,
and fearing the men might set on him, he swung his club
or cane from one side to the other; in doing so he struck
Burns in the temple, the blow, together with his drunkenness, causing his death in three or four hours. I was not
informed of this occurrence until the next morning, when
I immediately summoned a coroner's jury to inquire into
the cause of Burns's death, who brought in the following
verdict:We, the undersigned, summoned by the Marshal of Honolulu to hold an inquest upon the body of Henry Burns, seaman,
and to decide upon the probable cause of his death, have all
agreed after due reflection upon the statements of the witnesses
produced, that Henry Burns's death was caused by a blow, inflicted with a club in the hands of constable George Sherman, on
the evening of November 8th. We believe that the blow was
not given with malice aforethought, but rather from cowardice in




OF WILLIAM COOPER PJARKE.


37


quelling the disturbance, which was the cause of his visit to the
cell where Burns and others were confined.
Julius A. Anthon, Foreman.  C. S. Bartow.
John C. Bullions.        J. B. Cleveland.
James K. Turner.          H. Smith.
Thomas Spencer.           Benj. Clough.
W. A. Aldrich.           A. C. Edwards.
HONOLULU, Nov. 9, I852.
While the jury was hearing the evidence, the news that
Burns had been killed by a constable was spread among
the sailors and caused a good deal of talk. Many of them
assembled about the Fort, until there was quite a crowd.
They demanded that Sherman should be given up to
them; but I informed them that this could not be done;
that the man would be tried by the courts of the country,
and that they need not fear but that justice would be
meted out to him. The sailors were not at all satisfied
with this statement, and the excitement over Burns's
death, together with their desire to avenge themselves on
Sherman increased hourly. I plainly saw that this state
of feeling and excitement among the sailors might lead to
a serious disturbance, unless decisive action were immediately taken to disperse the crowd then and there. I
therefore ordered all the soldiers and constables in the
Fort under arms, picked out seventy-five of the best men
with the purpose of going out and dispersing the crowd,
thereby preventing any further opportunity of trouble. I
was just on the point of marching out with my men, when




38


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


I received an order from the Government, through Governor Kekuanaoa, to remain within the Fort, but if the
sailors attacked it or tried to break in the gates, I was
to fire. The Government was in hopes that the excitement would be quieted without any demonstration or resort to force; perhaps it was right in taking this view, but
I believe if I had been allowed to carry out my intention,
the trouble would have been checked in the bud. I was
disappointed in being obliged to remain inactive, but of
course it was necessary to obey my orders. I therefore
took measures to secure the Fort from attack; a strong
guard was placed on duty, and two field-pieces loaded
with grape and canister were trained on the gate, so that
if the crowd had attempted to force it, I think they would
not have gone very far into the Fort. The men hung
around all day, but did not make any attack, as I think
they had the idea that they would get the worst of it
if they did so; some of their captains and officers, although they did not actually encourage the men in their
acts, did not attempt to dissuade them. On the following day, in the afternoon, Burns was buried in Nuuanu
Valley, a large number of the sailors attending.
On the same day, about five o'clock, a number of the
sailors got the idea that some of their fellow-seamen who
were in the United States Hospital, - a building which
stood just below the present British Club premises on
Alakea Street, under the charge of Mr. John Ladd, -
were being ill-treated. For some reason the sailors had a
grudge against Mr. Ladd; they therefore set out for the




OF WILLIA M COOPER PARKE.


39


Hospital with the intention of rescuing their comrades
and getting square with him. As there had been rumors
of their coming, together with threats of personal injury
to him, Mr. Ladd had taken what money and papers there
were, and for safety had gone up Nuuanu Valley to the
residence of Mr. Severance, the American Commissioner.
When the sailors arrived at the Hospital, they found their
comrades well cared for, and no Mr. Ladd. During the
early evening of that same day, however, there was a great
deal of excitement, the sailors becoming more riotous in
their conduct and threats, one of which was to fire the
town; many were armed, and others made clubs from a
couple of wood-piles, to which they helped themselves,
and as they were virtually in possession of the town there
was no telling what they might do. Mr. Severance now
addressed a part of the crowd from the balcony of the
United States Consulate, on the corner of Nuuanu and
Marine streets, while Mr. Allen, the American Consul,
spoke to another part from the steps of what is now Mr.
Roth's store on Fort Street; this building then stood
some six feet from the ground.  Both gentlemen said
that the constable would be tried by due process of law,
and advised the men to disperse and return to their ships;
but the sailors did not pay much attention to either, and
the majority of those to whom Mr. Allen was speaking
left before he concluded, and went to the Fort. Here
they again demanded that Sherman should be given up,
but were refused; they hung around but did not offer to
attack. While these were at the Fort, others went to the




40


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


Police Station, near the foot of Nuuanu Street; drove out
what officers were there on duty, seized the arms stored
there, and after breaking all the furniture, made a pile of
it inside the building, set it on fire, and burned the building, together with that of the Harbor Masters, to the
ground. While the former building was burning, some of
the sailors amused themselves by throwing the iron posts
of a hurdle-fence into the flames; the posts I believe belonged to Mr. J. T. Waterhouse. When the Station House
was set on fire, the firemen turned out and attempted to
extinguish the flames; but their hose was cut, and they
were prevented from doing anything, although no violence
was offered them. The sailors formed a ring around the
burning buildings, and allowed no one to go through.
This all happened between nine and ten o'clock. There
was a light southerly breeze at the time, which proved to
be a most fortunate thing, for had the wind been in the
usual quarter, - northeast, - there would have been great
danger of the entire fleet getting on fire. Had this have
happened, one of the greatest fires ever known here would
have taken place, for moored as closely as the vessels were,
and filled with oil, they would have burned for days. As
it was, one ship that was near the buildings did take fire;
but as soon as the sailors discovered this, realizing that
the whole fleet was placed in danger, and with it all
their catch of the season, they quickly set to work and put
out the fire.
At this period of their course many of the better class
of men among the crowd came to the conclusion that




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


41


enough had been done, and that it was time to stop, especially as the whole fleet had come near burning up; these
therefore took no further part in the disturbances. The
remainder however were very much pleased and elated
over what they had accomplished; they considered that
they had had some revenge on the police, as the Police
Station had been burned, and they were now ready for
more mischief. They accordingly went up Nuuanu
Street, entered the first liquor saloon they came upon,
drove the proprietors out, and helped themselves to the
liquors; from here they went to the Commercial Hotel,
and from that place to the French Hotel on Fort Street,
the same thing happening at these two latter places as at
the former. The result was that by eleven o'clock all
hands were decidedly drunk. A few were now seized with
the idea of more revenge against the Government; and as
Dr. G. P. Judd was a prominent man in it, being at that
time Minister of Finance, it was proposed to go up the
valley to Dr. Judd's residence, " Sweet Home," and mob
him. Some fifty men set out on this errand; but the
road was long and dark, turning out to be longer than
they thought, and some dropped out, so that by the time
they reached their destination there were not many left.
Dr. Judd had received word that the sailors were on their
way; his family went to one of the neighbors for safety,
while the Doctor and a few others remained on the verandah; the sailors came as far as the gate, and after
making threats as to what they would do, finally went
away. I believe that at the same time these men went
6




42


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


to Dr. Judd's, another set, on a like errand, started for
Mr. Armstrong's residence, where the Punahou Preparatory School is. Mr. Armstrong was then Minister of
Public Instruction, and the men had the same feeling
against him that they had against Dr. Judd; but for some
reason they did not reach there. So the night passed.
The following morning, the IIth, the sailors being still
very violent in their threats, Mr. Severance again addressed them, but with no better success than before.
By this time, seeing that something decisive should
be done, as the sailors had had possession of the town
for twenty-four hours, during which time, as I have written, they had destroyed property, threatened people, and
almost set the fleet on fire, I went to the Palace, and told
Kamehameha III. that I wished to resign my office as
Marshal, as I was not allowed to take any steps to put
down the riot.  He refused to accept my resignation,
saying at the same time, " What do you propose to do?"
I replied, " If you will not consent to my using the soldiers in putting down this disturbance, then send for the
Governor [Kekuanaoa], and order him to hold a meeting
of the citizens at the Fort on the state of affairs." The
Governor, being called in, thought it a good plan to hold
such a meeting, so I returned to the Fort. Upon his
arrival, a meeting of the foreign citizens was held at
eleven o'clock, many of the captains and officers of the
fleet being present.  A military company was formed,
with A. J. McDuffee as captain; and with H. Macfarlane,
A. B. Howe, R. A. S. Wood, and Captain Hop, as Lieu



OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


43


tenants. At this stage of proceedings the Governor was
requested to proclaim martial law; but some persons
thought he had no authority to do it. I then said, " We
will take the authority, and let consequences take care of
themselves;" and calling the Governor into my office, I
told Captain Crabbe to draw the order up, the Governor
signed it, and in an hour I had it printed and posted all
over the town. Our arrangements being completed, the
native militia, the foreign company, captains and officers
from the fleet, left the Fort and marched up town. The
sailors, who by this time were rather demoralized, offered
no resistance to the show of force; only two of them
showed any disposition to fight while the force was
marching along Hotel Street, but they were soon cared
for. The result was that in a short time law and order
were restored; some two hundred of the rioters were
locked up in the Fort, and the remainder turned over
to their respective captains, who took them off to their
ships. It was two o'clock when we left the Fort, and
by sundown not a sailor could be found in the streets.
The foreign military company patrolled the town; all
sailors found were brought to the Fort, and all with sixty
days permits found out of their lodging houses after dark
were arrested. The following day, the 12th, an order was
issued by the Governor, to the effect that no seaman
should be allowed on shore until further notice, the guard
of foreigners carrying the order into effect. I was aware
that the District Attorney thought we had no right to
proclaim martial law or to issue the foregoing order; but




44


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


the end would have justified the means, even if the means
themselves had been less justifiable.
The day after this the Governor called at the Fort. I
said to him, " If I had not been prevented from going out
with the soldiers, the Station House would not have been
burned."  "Yes," he answered, "but if you had, you
might have killed and wounded some forty or fifty men;
these we could not restore to life, but the Station House
we can build again." I thought, after all, that perhaps he
was right.
This order to keep the sailors aboard their ships was
enforced for some weeks.  The company of foreigners
was called the Hawaiian Guards, and another company
called the Hawaiian Cavalry was also formed at this time;
both organizations were carried on for some years, and
perhaps the former might be considered the ancestor of
the present organization, the Honolulu Rifles.
At the trial of those sailors who took active part in
this riot, there were six out of the number convicted who
had had small-pox, and in the great epidemic of the
following year on this island, of which I will speak later,
they did a work for which no money could compensate
them.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


45


THE   PROMULGATION       OF THE CONSTITUTION OF I852.
THE 6th day of December, 1852, was a notable one in
Hawaiian history, for on that date the New Constitution
granted by Kamehameha III. went into effect. The persons who were instrumental in drafting and reporting it
to the Legislature were Gerrit P. Judd on behalf of the
King, John Ii on behalf of the Chiefs, and William L.
Lee on behalf of the people. The ceremony of the promulgation of the Constitution took place in Kawaiahao
Church, which was crowded with spectators, among whom
were many ladies. The whole proceedings were carried
out in a manner creditable to the dignity of the occasion;
prayer having been offered by the Rev. Mr. Clark, pastor
of the church, the Constitution was proclaimed, first in
Hawaiian by Governor Kekuanaoa, and then in English
by myself, as Royal Herald by special appointment, in
the following words:PROCLAMATION.
We hereby proclaim the New Constitution granted by Us, by
and with the advice of the Nobles and Representatives of our
People, during the last session of the Legislature, and signed by




46


PERSONA L REMINISCENCES


Us on the 14th day of June last, to be in full force from this
date.
KAMEHAMEHA.
Done at our Palace at Honolulu, this day (Monday) the sixth
day of December, in the year of our Lord, 1852, and the
twenty-seventh of our Reign.
GOD PRESERVE THE KING!
At the conclusion of the reading of the foregoing, three
cheers were given for the King and for the New Constitution, after which Governor Kekuanaoa announced
that his Majesty would address the audience. Whereupon
the King was pleased to say: -
" Hearken all ye people. You have just heard the Proclamation by the Governor; give ye heed to it. This Constitution I
have granted with the consent of my Chiefs and Nobles, in order
to promote the welfare of all my subjects. On this day it takes
effect, and becomes the Constitution of my Kingdom. All laws
must be in accordance with it. Let it be observed by all, for
here are the rights of all defined and guaranteed. Adhere to this
Constitution, one and all. It is not with us now as in former
times, when the Chiefs alone governed as they pleased, and the
people had no voice. We are now reckoned among the enlightened nations, and we must follow their example, and conduct our
affairs by a Constitution and Laws. Hence what you this day
behold. This is my thought to you, that is all."
After the ceremonies were over, a salute of twenty-one
guns was fired from the battery on Punch Bowl, just as




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


47


the Governor and I left the Church to read the Proclamation at different places in the town. From here we
marched with an escort of soldiers to the corner of
Richard and King streets, the soldiers forming a hollow
square, and the Proclamation being read as before in
Hawaiian and English; thence we proceeded to the corners of Richard and Beretania, Beretania and Nuuanu,
Nuuanu and King streets, from the last named place to
the New Market, and from here to the Fort, the same
ceremony being observed at each place.   About all
who took part on this day have passed over to the silent
majority.
Our escort was under the command of Lieut.-General
Prince Liholiho (afterwards Kamehameha IV.) preceded
by the Hawaiian Band under the leadership of Mr. Mesburgh. A large crowd of natives followed us all the way;
there were no Chinese or Portuguese in those days.
The day was observed by luaus and riding-parties all
over the town. To the Hawaiians it was a great thing to
be given the privilege of a free people, and to have the
right to vote. The question has been raised whether it
was a wise measure at that time; but as that point has
been so often discussed, I shall not attempt to argue it.
Under this Constitution the House of Nobles and House
of Representatives sat separately; the former was modelled
after the House of Lords in England, as it was composed
entirely of Chiefs, who had their positions for life. This
Constitution continued in force until Aug. 20, I864, when
it was abrogated by Kamehameha V., who proclaimed, or




48         PERSONAL REMINISCENCES
caused to be proclaimed, a new one. Previous to this, he
had called a Convention to amend the Constitution of
I852, but it failed to agree on a new one; whereupon he
dismissed it, and proclaimed one himself. It is but in
justice to him to state, that on the death of Kamehameha
IV. he refused to take the oath to the Constitution of
1852, and therefore did not, as has been said, violate his
oath.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


49


THE FIRST CASE OF SMALL-POX IN THE
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
IN the month of February, 1853, the ship "Charles
Mallory" arrived off the Port with a yellow flag flying
from the foremast.
The pilot on going alongside found she had a case of
small-pox on board.
The vessel was left outside the port, and the pilot returned to report the case to the Board of Health. He
was ordered to anchor the vessel off Waikiki, where she
then was, and the crew with the exception of the sick man
were brought on shore, and quarantined in a house that
stood near the former residence of Hon. G. W. Macfarlane, at Kapiolani Park.
Here the men were carefully watched and tended by
Dr. Hoffman, lest the disease should spread. The sick
man was brought to Honolulu, but there was no suitable
place to put him.
Prince Lot Kamehameha then offered the use of a
house to the Board of Health, which they gladly accepted.
This house was a large one, made of grass, in the vicinity of the present Quarantine Station. The house stood
on an island, and at high tide was surrounded by water,
so that it served the purpose very well.
7




50


PERSONAL REMlIISCENCECES


After taking the patient to the place, and supplying him
with what was necessary, no one could be found who was
willing to go over and nurse him.
For the first five days he was alone the greater part of
the time.
One of the members of the Board went over every
morning and prepared the man's food for the day, until
he was able to care for himself.
After the vessel had been quarantined for twenty-one
days and thoroughly fumigated, she came into port. All
the bedding in the forecastle as well as the men's clothing was burned to prevent any further trouble.
After loading with oil the vessel stopped at the Station
to take on board the man, who had recovered, and been
provided with a new outfit. After the man left the island
the house with all its contents was destroyed by fire to
prevent any spread of the disease.
As this was the first time such an event had occurred,
the Government had no fund from which to defray the
expenses of this Quarantine, which amounted to fifteen
hundred dollars. I therefore was obliged to pay it myself.
When the Legislature met in the following year, a re-olution was passed to refund to me this sum, which read as
follows:
JOINT RESOLUTION FOR THE RELIEF OF W. C. PARKE.
Approved May 25, 1853.
Whereas, in enforcing the quarantine of the ship "Charles
Mallory " and her passengers, in accordance with the instruction




OF WILLIAM      COOPER PARKE.              51
of his Majesty's Privy Council, Mr. W. C. Parke, the Marshal of
the Kingdom, has incurred the heavy expense, to meet which no
appropriation has been made,
Therefore, Be it enacted by the King, the Nobles, and the
Representatives of the Hawaiian Islands in Legislative Council
assembledThat the Minister of Finance be, and he is hereby, empowered
and instructed to pay out of any moneys that may be in the Treasury, to the order of W. C. Parke, the sum of one thousand five
hundred (1,500) dollars.
The following is the list of passengers by the ship
"Charles Mallory":Captain G. T. Lawton.        Mr. E. P. Hutchins.
"     F. A. Newell.      Mr. H. McDonald.
Mr. F. L. Hanks.             Mr. J. Pawtusack.
Mr. P. Emmett.




52


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


THE   SMALL-POX       EPIDEMIC    OF I853.
As no new cases of small-pox appeared for two or
three months after the departure of the "Charles Mallory," the authorities felt that they had nothing more to
fear in that line; but the one case from that vessel was
nothing compared to what followed. On the I3th of
May, a man called at my office and reported that two
native women living on Maunakea Street were ill, and he
feared that the trouble was small-pox. On going to the
place the report was found to be true, and a guard was
placed around the house, with strict orders to allow no
one to leave or enter it. The Legislature was then in
session, and on the i6th passed an act authorizing the
King, Kamehameha III., to appoint three commissioners
of public health; and on the same day his Majesty nominated Dr. G. P. Judd, Dr. T. C. B. Rooke, and myself.
The first section of the act referred to reads as follows:
"That there shall be appointed by the King, with the assent
of the Privy Council, a commission consisting of three persons,
who shall act without pecuniary reward, upon whom shall devolve
all the powers and duties intended and expressed in the Act of
the 8th of May, I851, entitled a law establishing a Board of
Health, with power to extend the same to all parts of this King



OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


53


dom in person, or through their agents; and who are hereby authorized and empowered to provide for all persons sick with the
small-pox suitable medical attendance, food, lodging, and clothes,
at the expense of the Hawaiian Government, and to make and
publish such regulations for the public health as they may think
wise and expedient, and enforce them by fines or otherwise
through the courts."
The Commissioners met at once and organized, Dr.
Rooke being Chairman, and J. Hardy, Secretary. As
there was no suitable place in which to take care of the
patients, we selected a building on Queen Street, which
belonged to the Government, and had it fitted up for a
hospital.  When the two women were to be moved to
the hospital, no one could be obtained to pick them up
and carry them to the wagon; so I had to do it, and drive
the wagon as well. The day after the removal of the two
women, an examination was made of the infected district,
and some two or more cases were found, which were
removed to the hospital.
We took the utmost precautionary measures to prevent the spreading of the disease; notices were issued
and widely circulated. The Minister of Public Instruction was authorized to take every necessary step for a
general vaccination, and measures were taken to prevent
the extension of the disease to the other islands by coasting and other vessels. Sub-commissioners and agents
were appointed throughout every district of the islands,
with full instructions from us; and directions were issued to all pilots and boarding officers, so that should the




54


PERSONA L REMINIASCENCES


disease break out in any place means might be taken to
meet it in every direction. The following named gentlemen were appointed by us to act as our agents on the
other islands: For the island of Kauai, James F. B.
Marshall, E. P. Bond, and J. W. Smith, M.D.; for the
island of Maui, P. H. Treadway, J. R. Dow, M. D., and
D. Baldwin, M.D.; for the districts of Hilo and Puna
Hawaii, Benjamin Pitman, J. H. Coney, and C. H. Wetmore, M. D.; for Kau, Rev. H. Kinney; for North and
South Kona, P. Cummings, J. Fuller, and J. D. Paris;
for Waimea and Kawaihae, Dr. Nicholl, Humphries, and
Macey.
Up to May 20 no new cases were reported; but by the
3d of the following month all the reported cases were
traced to the locality where the disease first appeared,
and it was feared that it was widely disseminated. The
worst fears were soon realized, for in a week cases were
reported in every quarter of Honolulu, Manoa, Palolo,
Leiahi, Nuuanu, Kailua, Kalihi, and Ewa. The disease
spread like wildfire, and the natives were panic-stricken.
There had been but little general vaccination among the
natives, so the disease had a clear field; and as they were
ignorant of the malady, and did not know how to take
care of themselves, they died like sheep. By the 24th of
June the cases numbered 412, and throughout July and
August the disease raged with terrible violence over the
entire island. The whole medical staff of Honolulu came
forward at the first, and offered their aid and services
gratuitously to the Commission, which were gratefully




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


55


accepted. It was a very generous thing to do, as it meant
hard work night and day, with personal risk and no pay.
By the middle of July the question arose as to the burying of the dead. No one, not even those who had recovered from the disease, or who had not taken it, would
assist in such work. Therefore the Commission was
obliged to call on all able-bodied men who had recovered,
to help the police in that work; and in case of refusal
they were fined or imprisoned. It was a harsh measure,
but a necessary one for the public good, as the Honolulu
police were most laboriously employed night and day in
attending the sick and burying the dead in the town, and
could not be sent two or three miles away to perform that
duty. At this time there were in the Fort six men who
had been engaged in the riot of the previous year, and
who had had the small-pox. The King authorized me to
offer them their freedom if they would consent to bring
the sick to the hospitals, and help bury the dead. They
agreed to this offer, and no light task did they find it; as
forty or fifty was the usual number buried daily, and sometimes more, the men were often kept working until midnight, after having been at work all day long. At the
end of July, forty houses were put up at Waikiki, and
thirty on the Ewa side of Honolulu, as hospitals.
Pages could be filled describing the heroic work done
by volunteers in nursing the sick; and there are some
here to-day who could tell of heart-rending scenes. Families were broken up; parents deserted their children; the
husband would leave the rest of the family in a dying




56


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


condition. It was not uncommon to find an entire family
sick at the same time, or to enter a house only to find dead
bodies. The disease appeared in the most remote places,
and numbers seemed to take it from mere fright; it was
a time that tried men's souls.
After August the disease began to abate, and by the
end of the year it had almost disappeared. Thanks to the
quarantine enforced, there were not many cases on the
other islands, so that those living there knew comparatively littleof the dreadful times on Oahu.
During the prevalence of the disease, a number of
meetings were held by the residents, and considerable
excitement was caused by some persons who made a
political affair of it, charging Dr. Judd and Mr. Armstrong as the persons who were responsible for the introduction of the disease. A more wilful accusation could
not be imagined; but certain ones who had ill-feelings
against the former carried the matter so far that he was
removed from office. Naturally this caused a good deal
of feeling, which was unfortunate, as the whole community were doing their best to stop the disease, so as to
be entirely free of it when the whaling fleet came in the
fall; and every means were taken to purify the town.
The disease had been mostly concentrated around Maunakea Street, and as it was impossible to purify many of
the grass houses, in the latter part of August fourteen
of them were burned down, the Fire Department having
been previously called out to prevent the spread of the
flames.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


57


As the epidemic began to subside an investigation was
made as to its origin. Many attributed it to the case from
the " Charles Mallory;" but it could not have come from
that one case, as some months had passed since that
vessel had left before it made its second appearance. The
nearest the Commission got to the truth was that a captain of a merchant ship, which arrived here from San
Francisco, gave his clothes to the two women who were
first taken sick, to wash. In a conversation with one of
the Commissioners, he said that only a week before leaving that city the occupant of the room next to his had
died of the small-pox. The partitions between the rooms
were made of brown cotton cloth, and his (the captain's)
clothing hung against this partition of cloth; and on his
arrival here he had given this clothing to the two women
to wash. A story was circulated that the disease came
from a lot of old clothing that had been brought here
and sold, some months prior to the first case; but there
was no foundation to it.
I have already alluded to the measures taken to purify
the town before the arrival of the whaling fleet. The
fleet at this time numbered two or three thousand men,
and as the Commission had reason to think that the
greater part of them had never been vaccinated, and as
the ships were shortly expected from the Arctic, it was
decided, on their arrival, to keep all the crews on board
until they were vaccinated. This decision was laid before Hon. Elisha H. Allen, then the United States Consul,
and he was asked to call a meeting of the other Consuls
8




PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


to consider it. This was done, and all of them agreed
that it was a wise measure, and further, that they would
assist the Commission in carrying it out. Shortly after
this meeting, Mr. Allen resigned his office, and was succeeded by Mr. B. F. Angel, who, in company with the
other Consuls, issued the following circular, which was
sent to the vessels on their arrival in port: —
UNITED STATES CONSULATE.
HONOLULU, Sept. 21, I853.
SIR, -The undersigned, American Consul at this port, with
the concurrence of the Commissioners of Health, would respectfully urge upon the masters of American vessels coming into the
harbor of Honolulu the strict observance of the following
regulations: -
I. On the arrival of your ship, you are requested to have
such of your crew as have not had the small-pox or varioloid, vaccinated for kine-pox.
2. You are requested to retain on board your vessel, for the
period of eight days, all men not protected by vaccination.
At your request, any resident physician you may name will
visit your vessel and vaccinate such of your crew as may be
necessary, at the rate of half a dollar for each person, where the
number amounts to ten. After the fifth day the same physician
will again visit your ship, and re-vaccinate those whose pustules
have not begun to form. After the eighth day, or when the physician shall pronounce them protected from contagion, your men
may safely come on shore; and it is believed that an observance
of these regulations will entirely protect your crew from the smallpox. I am happy to be able to inform you that there is little of
the disease remaining in Honolulu, and no case among the white




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


59


population. No case exists among the shipping. The disease
has thus far been almost exclusively confined to the natives, and
efficient measures have recently been adopted to prevent its
further ravages. I am permitted to name and recommend the
following physicians, either of whom will visit your vessel, if you
desire it, upon the terms indicated: Doctors Hardy, Newcomb,
Ford, Lathrop, Hoffman, Hillebrand, Smyth, and Schell.
With much respect, I have the honor to be, etc.,
B. F. ANGEL, U. S. Consul.
It was a harsh rule to make, but it was the only thing
to do to prevent a second epidemic, as it was ascertained
that not one half of the crews had ever been vaccinated.
Only one man in all the fleet had the disease, and he recovered. During the epidemic but one foreigner died;
he was the man who had charge of the large hospital on
Queen Street. He had had small-pox before, and at the
outbreak of the epidemic volunteered his services, and did
a noble work; he nevertheless took the disease, and his
was one of the worst cases I have ever seen. I am sorry I
cannot recall his name. Some fifty odd of the native constables died of the disease in the discharge of their duties
as officers. I regret that the record book of the Commissioners cannot be found. It, with all the reports and documents, was delivered to the new Board of Health, and I
have not been able to find it; so I cannot give the
number of cases and deaths from that source. However,
I will give the numbers as accurately as possible. The
following estimate is that of the Commissioners of Public




60


PERSONA L REMINISCENCES


Health, in the "Polynesian" of Jan. 27, 1854: Number
of cases, 6,405; number of deaths, 2,485, -a death rate
of almost 39 per cent.
The expenses of the Health Commissioners, which
amounted to $20, I5.84, were provided for by the Legislature, April 28, 1854, in the form of a bill (introduced by
Mr. Marsh) for the relief of the King and Privy Council;
and the rules being suspended, it was read a second and
third time, and passed. Prior to the passing of this bill,
Dr. Lathrop sent in a claim for $2,500, for attendance on
sick natives during the epidemic. The Legislature sent
a circular letter to all the physicians in Honolulu, asking
what their claims were. All disavowed any claim, with
the exceptions of Dr. Lathrop for $2,500, Dr. Newcomb
for $2,800, and Dr. Hillebrand for $2,500; these were
referred to the Committee on Claims, who reported, May
I6, that the petition of Dr. Lathrop had no legal claim,the Health Commissioners having promised no remuneration, their powers not authorizing them to do so. Mr.
Harris read a minority report, recommending the payment
of $524. Both reports were referred to a Committee of
the whole, which, on July I9, unanimously passed the
following Preamble and Resolution: 
Whereas, During the prevalence of the late epidemic, the
Royal Health Commissioners, with their deputies, the medical
practitioners throughout the islands, and very many others, both
foreigner and native, most generously contributed their services
gratuitously in affording assistance to the sick and suffering poor;




OF WILLIAM      COOPER PARKE.              6I
and whereas the value of their services cannot be estimated in
money, and it being moreover out of our power to recompense
them; therefore it is 
" Resolved, That this House do, in behalf of the people whom we
represent, render our most sincere thanks to all who in that time
of calamity rendered such gratuitous and invaluable aid in alleviating the distress of the suffering, sick, and dying people of these
islands."




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PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


THE REPORT OF THE ROYAL HEALTH
COMMISSIONERS.
May itplease your Majesty.
At the time of your Majesty's first confiding to us the responsible duties attaching to our Board, we attempted to prevent the
spread of the small-pox by vaccination, isolation, and appointment
of sub-commissioners on the other islands with power equal to
our own. Finding that the disease had already been too much
spread on Oahu to allow of the prevention of its general dissemination on that island, it became our great object to hinder
its extension to the other islands. In this attempt we have received the most efficient support from the several sub-commissioners, whose local knowledge enabled them to make regulations
adapted to the peculiarities of their various fields of labor, and to
which regulations we have given our strongest support. On
Oahu where the disease raged in its virulence, hospitals were
erected and furnished with everything necessary for the reception
of all the sick who could be induced to enter them. Medicines
have been supplied to all who needed them. Every medical man
or other intelligent person willing to assist the sick, either volunteered or was engaged for pay. Wherever nurses could be
procured, they were employed, and a band of prisoners was devoted to the revolting office of burying the dead.
The patient exertions of these latter assistants render them, in
our humble opinion, highly deserving of your Majesty's merciful
consideration. As the sick have been strictly prohibited, of




OF WILLIAN COOPER PARKE.


63


course, from going into the kalo-patches for food, we have been
obliged to supply provisions generally in such form as tea, sugar,
rice, arrow-root, etc. The distribution of these articles has given
rise to some abuse, but has been a matter of necessity on our
part. One great item of expense has been the reimbursement of
those whose infected houses we were obliged to destroy, and
there will be still heavier calls upon the funds in our hands on the
same ground. In order to purify the town in view of the approaching season of the whaling fleet's arrival, on which so much
of the prosperity of the islands generally depends, a considerable
sum of money will have to be outlayed; a very few cases of
small-pox among the crews might produce a panic that would
greatly prevent business, and as the sailors are in the habit of
entering almost every premise in and about town, it becomes
doubly necessary to annihilate all possibly infected places. The
clothes, also, of those discharged from the hospitals had to be
burned, and the parties supplied with other and uninfected garments. The police force of Honolulu has assisted us nobly
throughout, and fifty native and foreign constables have lost
their lives in the prosecution of their painful duty, in burying
whom we have been led into additional expense.
Thus your Majesty will understand that the principal items of
expenditure may be classed under six heads,-namely, (i) hospitals; (2) medicines; (3) clothing; (4) food; (5) attendants,
including quarantine expenses; and (6) payment for houses destroyed. We have endeavored to observe the best economy in
using the funds at our command, as our vouchers, we trust, will
prove; but having expended already almost $r8,ooo, we feel
it necessary to know your Majesty's pleasure in regard to our
future operations. The question is, whether or no we shall discontinue the supply of food and furnish medicines only on the




64          PERSONAL REMINISCENCES
island of Oahu, in view of the contingent necessity of large sums
being expended on the other islands in case the disease should
not be kept at bay there, but spread on the contrary as it has
done here. Should it suit your Majesty's convenience to direct
us at your first opportunity in regard to our future course, your
Majesty will add another favor toYour Majesty's most obedient servants,
LIHOLIHO.
T. C. B. ROOKE.
W. C. PARKE.
HONOLULU, Sept. 12, I853.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


65


DEATH    OF KAMEHAMEHA          III. AND   ACCESSION OF KAMEHAMEHA IV.
KAMEHAMEHA III. had been seriously sick for about a
week, when he died at the Palace on Friday, the i5th of
December, 1854, at a quarter to twelve A. M., and in the
twenty-first year of his reign and forty-first of his life.
The sad event was at once made known by setting at
half-mast the Royal and National Standards, and firing of
minute guns, forty-one in number, from the battery on
Punch Bowl. I was at the Palace at the time, and at the
request of A. Paki, a high chief and also the Chamberlain,
I took charge of the arrangements necessary for the laying in state of the body and ordering the coffin.
At half-past twelve the same day, the Governor of
Oahu, M. Kekuanaoa, accompanied by a military escort,
caused the following Proclamation to be read in English
and Hawaiian, at the corners of the principal streets in
Honolulu: -
Whereas, it has pleased Almighty God to remove from this
world our beloved sovereign, his late Majesty Kamehameha III.,
and whereas by the Will of his late Majesty, and by the appointment and Proclamation of his Majesty and of the House of
Nobles, his Royal Highness Prince Liholiho was declared to be
his Majesty's successor; Therefore, Public Proclamation is here9




66


PERSONAL REMINISECENCES


by made, that Prince Alexander Liholiho is King of the Hawaiian
Islands, under the name of Kamehameha IV.
GOD PRESERVE THE KING!
KEONI ANA.
KUHINA Nui.
This proclamation was received with shouts of joy from
the people, and other signs of satisfaction wherever it was
made known, - not from any lack of regard for " Kamehameha the good," but to hail the new and popular young
Sovereign Liholiho. The U. S. Steamer "St. Mary" fired
minute guns the same day from one to two o'clock; and
on the following day, H. M. Ship " Trincomalee " did the
same thing. As soon as the news spread of the King's
death, the natives came from different parts of the town
to the Palace yard, and in a short time there were fully
two thousand in the yard; and their wailing was intense
and prolonged.
The next day, December I6, the Privy Council met the
members of the late King's Cabinet, who offered their
condolences, and placed their respective Portfolios at the
disposal of his Majesty Kamehameha IV. The members
of the Privy Council followed the example of the Cabinet,
at the same time assuring the King of their loyal attachment and faithful allegiance.
It pleased the King at this time to make the following
address:" Chiefs, I have become, by the Will of God, your Father, as I
have been your child. You must help me, for I stand in need




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


67


of help. To you ministers and other high officers of State of
our late King, I return my sincere thanks for the expressions of
condolence with which you have this morning comforted me. I
request of you to continue your labors in the several positions you
have hitherto held until, when my grief shall have allowed me time
for reflection, I can make such new arrangements as shall seem
proper.
" I thank the members of this Council in general for their condolence, who will also, I hope, assist me with their advice as
though they had been appointed by myself."
On the 2d of the month, Chief-Justice Lee had tendered
his resignation to the late King, owing to ill-health, and
the Cabinet had strongly urged his late Majesty not to
accept it. Finally, at the united request of Kamehameha
IV., the members of the Cabinet, and of the bar, Judge
Lee withdrew his request, much to the satisfaction of the
entire community.
On the i6th, the Privy Council met, and put me in
charge of the arrangements necessary for the funeral. I
soon found that it was more than I could manage alone.
I therefore asked his Majesty to appoint A. Paki to assist
me, which was done. Paki, took charge of the Palace,
while I attended to outside matters.
It was decided to furnish every man, woman, and child
of the late King's retainers with a suit of clothing for the
funeral, which was done as fast as they arrived from the
other islands.
The funeral was appointed to take place January 6,
1855; but the weather was so bad, that it was postponed




68


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


until the Ioth. Paki and I had clothed over two thousand
persons, and on the day of the funeral not a yard of black
cloth, or a black coat or pair of trousers, could be bought
in town.
The expenses of this funeral were $28,000; but independent of the expense of clothing, there was the draping
of the Palace in mourning, together with the support of
some fifteen hundred persons from the 20th of December
to the Ioth of January, the day of the funeral; and general prices were twenty-five per cent higher than now.
The good order and quietness all over the islands at
the death of the King was a great contrast to the old
order at such times. In their heathen days, the death of
a king or high chief was the signal for crimes of all kinds,
-debauchery, and customs revolting to civilized men.
Drunkenness and its companion licentiousness ran rife;
teeth were knocked out and bodies cut. All this is now
done away with; and although King Kamehameha III.
was greatly beloved by the people, they showed their grief
in a comparatively civilized manner.
The following account, taken from the "Polynesian"
of Jan. 13, I855, will give a description of the' funeral of
the King: —
"The inclement weather of last week occasioned the
postponement of the obsequies of his late Majesty until
Wednesday last, the loth inst., when they took place with
all the solemnity and every mark of respect and affection
which could be shown by an affectionate people for a
beloved Sovereign.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PAIRKE.


69


" In anticipation of that event, preparations had been
made during the preceding week, and at five o'clock on
the morning of the Ioth a signal gun was fired from
Punch Bowl Hill, which was a notice for the natives to
spread grass on all the streets through which the procession was to pass, as the recent heavy rains had otherwise
rendered the streets impassable. In a short time the
streets were covered with a thick layer of grass, which
made walking easy.
" Long before ten o'clock the natives began to gather in
and around the Palace, and at the same time the different
orders, military companies, and marines from the men-ofwar took their assigned positions in the procession.
"At eleven o'clock religious services were held in the
Palace, conducted by the Rev. R. Armstrong, Minister
of Public Instruction. After these were concluded, the
coffin was placed upon the car, which was heavily draped
in black, having a large black kahili at each corner. A
canopy surmounted by a gilt crown was elevated over
the coffin, which was partially enveloped by rich feather
cloaks of rare workmanship. The coffin was surrounded
by kahilis and other insignia of royalty in the Hawaiian
Islands.
" At ten minutes of twelve A. M., the procession moved
from the Palace under the direction of the Grand Marshal, his Excellency M. Kekuanaoa, Governor of Oahu.
"Through the energetic and efficient management of
Mr. Parke, Marshal of the Hawaiian Kingdom, the divisions of the procession assumed their respective posi



70


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


tions with little or no delay, and proceeded through the
carpeted streets, whose sides were lined by a dense
throng of spectators, while the many eligible positions
on the line of march were occupied by the families of
foreign residents who had assembled to witness the
most imposing spectacle which ever transpired on the
Hawaiian Islands.
"The Hawaiian Cavalry, uniformed in blue trimmed
with red, and with chargers decked in black, formed an
appropriate escort to the sable pageant. They were followed by a body of physicians and clergymen, both native
and foreign; and following these were the members of
the Hawaiian Chapter of Masons, in full regalia, while the
Lodge of Odd Fellows, arrayed in the appropriate badges
of the order, came next, - the two orders presenting an
attractive feature in the procession.
" The scholars of the Royal School, followed by the
President and students of Oahu College, and the native
and charity schools, came next; all these bodies were
appropriately dressed in black. The Artillery followed
these with their uniforms of blue trimmed with red, their
caps also being bound with red.  Their cannon, enshrouded with black, seemed to have vowed to speak no
more. The cannon carriages were draped in black, and
every piece was decorated with four black wands surmounted by black ostrich feathers.  The company did
credit to themselves and their officers.
"The Band of Native Hawaiians, consisting of fifteen
pieces, with their drums muffled, preceded the first divi



OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


7 I


sion of Hawaiian Infantry. Then came the Purveyor,
household servants, and Physician of the late King.
"After this body, and preceding the funeral car, was
led the black charger of his late Majesty, whose vacant
saddle and empty trappings spoke feelingly of their absent lord and master.
"The car was drawn by a large company of Hawaiians,
who were preceded by two large yellow kahilis, and the
late King's standard draped in black.
"On each side, at the foot, and at the head of the car,
were carried two large green kahilis; and on the two sides
were also sixteen smaller kahilis of various sizes and color.
" From the four corners of the car rose four pillars covered with a black canopy, which was raised in the centre
to a point, upon which rested a crown. The floor of the
car was covered with the ancient embroidered cloak, or
quilt, of Kamehameha I., and on this rested the coffin of
his Majesty Kamehameha III., which was covered with
crimson velvet and decorated with armorial paintings.
"At the head of the coffin was a silver plate bearing
this inscription:KAMEHAMEHA III.
HANAUIA 17 MARAKI I813.
MAKE 15 DEKEMABA 1854.
KE 29 MAKAHIKI KONA.
NOHO ALII ANA.
"At the foot, and in front of the coffin, was the
Royal Crown, covered with crape and resting on a velvet




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PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


cushion, from the four corners of which hung handsome
tassels, while over the coffin itself was thrown the feather
cloak of Kamehameha I. Surrounding the car were the
High Chiefs, both male and female.
" Her Majesty the Queen, her Royal Highness the
Princess Victoria, and Prince Kamehameha followed in a
carriage, the horses being led by two footmen. In the
next carriage came his Majesty Kamehameha IV., and
John Young the Premier, their horses being led in the
same manner as the previous carriage.
"The Hon. William L. Lee, Chancellor of the Kingdom,
accompanied by the Cibinet of the late King, the Privy
Council, and Ladies of the Court, occupied the next position, and were followed by the Representatives of Foreign
Nations, supported by officers of the various ships of war
now in port. The judges and other Government officers
were also in this section of the procession.
" The second division of Hawaiian Infantry, flanked by
the Hawaiian Guard, -a body of foreign residents called
into military existence by their attachment to the late
King and their desire to preserve the peace of the Kingdom from lawless violence, and now uniting in this, the
last earthly testimonial of respect and affection, —was followed by a body of marines from the different war-ships
in port. They were led by the marines of the English
ship 'Trincomalee,' her captain being the senior officer
in port.  Their uniforms of white and red contrasted
pleasantly with the costume of the French marines of
the ship 'Eurydice,' as these latter were black trimmed




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.'


73


with white, and also of the marines of the American ship
'St. Mary,' her men wearing a uniform of blue and white,
trimmed with red.
" Next in the line came the Fire Companies, and they
were followed by a dense throng of Hawaiians, eight and
ten deep. Among this number were the young and old,
strong and weak, the infant of days, and the decrepit of
years; all had come to pay their last tribute of respect
and affection to the King, who bound the past to the present, and was, as it were, a part of former generations. A
third division of Hawaiian Infantry brought up the rear
and ended the procession.
"The procession moved from the Palace down King
Street to Nuuanu, then up Nuuanu to Beretania Street.
Here there had assembled a dense throng of people, who,
when they saw the riderless horse preceding the car that
held the remains of the late King, could contain themselves no longer, but burst forth in a low, suppressed
wail. The procession then proceeded with no other incident along Beretania Street to Punch Bowl Street, down
Punch Bowl to King Street and the sepulchre. Again
did the natives yield to ancient customs, and a long low
wail arose from the thousands congregated here.
" Except these, nor indeed in this trace of former customs, was there anything during the day inconsistent with
the utmost order and decorum.
"The procession entering the cemetery, the funeral
car was drawn through the division of Hawaiian Infantry
and Household Troops to the door of the sepulchre. This
IO




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PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


was followed by the High Chiefs, the Queen and her
suite, the King and his suite.
"The Infantry then formed a hollow square about the
sepulchre, and the remainder of the procession passed on
without, the Hawaiian Guard and Foreign Marines being
stationed a short space to the north and east of the tomb.
"The door of the tomb being opened, his Excellency
the Rev. R. Armstrong, his Majesty's Minister of Public
Instruction, offered a short and appropriate prayer, after
which the Royal mourners left the cemetery.
" The troops then fired three volleys, and the High
Chiefs removed the coffin of the King from the car and
placed it in the centre of the tomb. This building is of
stone, nicely carpeted, and contains nine coffins of adult
members, and three children of the Royal line. These
are placed on koa frames at the northern side of the room,
the entrance being on the south.
" For a few minutes the populace were permitted to
look into the tomb, then the door was closed, and this was
the last of the King so beloved by all his people.
" At ten minutes past two P.M., his Majesty Kamehameha IV. returned to the Palace, the Royal Standard was
raised, the guns ceased firing, the bell of the stone church
ceased its tolling, and the procession was dismissed as it
had formed.
" The procession was by far the most imposing ever witnessed in the islands, extending over half a mile in length.
When the Grand Marshal, at the head, was crossing Fort
and Beretania streets the end was crossing Fort and




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


75


King streets, and was forty-five minutes in passing a
given point. It is estimated that the procession contained
at least five thousand people. As the natives had assembled from the different islands for the occasion, they numbered twelve or fifteen thousand at least."
The next day, Thursday, Jan. I, 1855, the King and
High Chiefs, the Ministers, and members of the Privy
Council went to the stone church at twelve M., and the
will of Kamehameha III. was then read in English and
Hawaiian, and Judge Lee administered the oath of office
to the King in the presence of a large assembly of people.
Following this, Keoni Ana repeated the words "God
preserve the King," which were re-echoed everywhere
throughout the church with loud cheers. His Majesty's
Royal Standard and the National ensign were hoisted,
and a salute was fired from the Fort.
After this it pleased the King to make a solemn and
eloquent address in Hawaiian to his subjects, which was
received by them with great enthusiasm.
In accordance with a suggestion made to him, he also
made an impromptu speech in English to the foreigners
owing allegiance to him, and others residing in this Kingdom. The speech appears in the "Polynesian" of Jan.
I3, I855, and as they are words that it would be well to
remember, I give the speech as follows -
"You have all been witness this day to the solemn oath I
have taken in the presence of Almighty God and this assembly to




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PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


preserve inviolate the Constitution. This is no idle ceremony.
The Constitution which I have sworn to maintain has its foundation laid in the deep, immutable principles of Liberty, Justice,
and Equality; and by these and none other I hope to be guided
in the administration of my government.
" As the ruler of this people, I shall endeavor, with the blessing
of God, to seek the welfare of my subjects, and at the same time
to consult their wishes. In these endeavors I shall expect the
hearty co-operation of all classes, foreign as well as native.
"His Majesty Kamehameha III., now no more, was preeminently the friend of the foreigner, and I am happy in knowing
he enjoyed your confidence and affection.
"He opened his heart and hand with a royal liberality, and
gave until he had little to bestow, and you but little to ask. In
this respect I cannot hope to equal him; but though I may fall
far behind, I shall follow in his footsteps.
"To be kind and generous to the foreigner, to trust and confide in him, is no new thing in the history of our race. It is an
inheritance transmitted to us from our forefathers. The founder
of our dynasty was ever glad to receive assistance and advice
from foreigners. His successor, not deviating from the policy of
his father, listened not only to the voice of a missionary, and
turned with his people to the light of Christianity, but against the
wishes of the nation left his native land to seek for advice and
permanent protection at a foreign court. Although he never returned alive, his visit shows plainly what were his feelings toward
the people of foreign countries. I cannot fail to heed the example of my ancestors. I therefore say to the foreigner that he is
welcome. He is welcome to our shores, welcome so long as he
comes with the laudable motive of promoting his own interests
and at the same time respecting those of his neighbor. But if he




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


77


comes here with no more exalted motive than that of building up
his own interests at the expense of the native; to seek our confidence only to betray it, with no higher ambition than that of
overthrowing our Government, and introducing anarchy, confusion, and bloodshed, - then is he most unwelcome.
"The duties we owe to each other are reciprocal. For my
part I shall use my best endeavors, in humble reliance on the
Great Ruler of all, to give you a just, liberal, and satisfactory government. At the same time I shall expect you in return to assist
me in sustaining the Peace, Law, Order, and the Independence
of my Kingdom."
After making this speech, the King stood in the portico of the church, and addressed a crowd of several thousand natives who had not been able to find room in the
church. They listened in breathless silence until the
King ceased to speak, when they broke out into most
enthusiastic cheering. All the proceedings were conducted in most admirable order, the King through it all
appearing calm, collected, and dignified.
On the I6th of January, the King held a meeting of the
Privy Council, appointed his Cabinet and other officers
of State, and addressed the former in the following
manner:"One word in regard to the nominations to office which
according to law it becomes your duty to make, and I am done.
"Let your subordinates be recommended by at least these
qualifications, - honesty, temperance, industry, and above all
adaptation for the places they are to fill; and let them be men in
whom you see good grounds for placing confidence. May suc



78


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


cess crown your efforts, and after years approve my judgment in
calling you to office."
It would have been well for Hawaii if the above address
had been always carried out.
As there was no provision in the Appropriation Bill,
to pay for such a contingency as a funeral, the Ministers
and all the members of the Privy Council signed a jointand-several note to pay the Minister of Finance the
amount of the funeral expenses; and all the bills having
been audited by A. Paki, the sum of $28,000 was paid to
me in gold coin, and I took the bills and settled up the
affair.
It may be amusing to those who read this sketch of
olden times to know how I carried so much coin about.
I divided it into two sums of $I4,000 each, and placing
one half in a wheelbarrow, wheeled by a soldier and
strongly guarded by other soldiers, I went from store to
store settling up accounts. This was repeated the next
day, and within two weeks from the day of the funeral
everything was settled.
When the Minister of Finance presented the bill to
indemnify himself to the next Legislature, not a word
was said against it, and the bill passed without a dissenting vote.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


79


THE TUG "PELE."
IN the month of March, I855, I left Honolulu in company with the late Chief-Justice Lee, for the United
States, the latter being intrusted with funds of the Government to purchase a dredge-boat for the harbor, while I
was to purchase furniture and fittings, in Boston, for the
Palace.
After completing this purchase, I assisted Justice Lee
in the selection of a dredge-boat. I examined a number
in New York and Boston, and finally concluded to have
the boat built at Troy, N. Y. The necessary castings
were made, the oak timbers prepared, and these with a
plan of the boat were shipped to Honolulu, where the
boat was put together, and the remainder of the materials,
of Northwest wood, was purchased here. After we had
procured the dredge-boat, the question arose as to how
the mud brought up by the dredge was to be taken to
the shore, as it was to be used in making new land
at the Esplanade.
I told Justice Lee that the only thing to be done was
to purchase a tug-boat, as the scows loaded with mud
would be too heavy for an ordinary boat to tow.
Mr. Lee saw that a tug was necessary, but said that his
instructions were only to purchase the dredge and Palace




80


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


furniture and fittings, so that he could not advance the
money for anything more.
I then told him that if he would advance the necessary
amount, I would give him my note, payable on my arrival
in Honolulu, for a sum sufficient to purchase a tug-boat,
and also a pile-driver, which I knew would be needed.
Justice Lee consented to this proposition, and employed Mr. E. P. Bond, of Boston, a former resident at
the islands, to go on to Philadelphia to contract for the
engine, as I had found the work could be done more
cheaply there than anywhere else.  From Philadelphia
Mr. Bond went to Troy where the frame of the hull was
to be constructed.  The contracts were made, and the
plans sent to me in Boston.  I showed these plans of
the hull to the Naval Constructor at the Charlestown
Navy Yard. He found that the hull, according to the
plan, was not timbered as it should be, and marked where
new timbers should be put in.
The contractors were willing to make the additions suggested, and work was immediately begun. When finished,
the frame was shipped to Boston, and when the entire cost
was known, I gave my note for the same.
The material for the dredge-boat and tug, together with
the furniture for the Palace, were shipped on board the
bark " Raduga," which arrived at Honolulu safely, and the
dredge and tug boat were then put together.
I arrived in Honolulu in September of 1855, and the
day I returned I met two of the pilots, Captains Howland
and Luce, and told them of the purchase of the tug-boat.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


8 I


They considered it a wise purchase, and said that if the
Government did not wish it, they would take it of me, as
it would greatly assist them in taking vessels in and out
of the harbor. I then called on the Minister of the Interior, and told him what I had done, and that I was ready
to pay him the amount of my note. He said he had received a letter from Justice Lee with my note inclosed,
and taking up the latter said, " Mr. Parke, there is your
note; I do not wish to sell the tug-boat," at the same
time thanking me for getting it and the pile-driver.
The boat was put together and named the "Pele."
She did good service for the Government for a number
of years; but now she is worn out, something like her
purchaser. So, rest to the " Pele!"
11


t




82


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


MY VISIT TO THE STATES IN          1855.
IN this chapter I desire to make mention of one or two
things concerning my visit to the States, which I was
not able to do in my account of the purchase of the tug
"' Pele."
In March of the year 1855 I had obtained leave of
absence for six months from Kamehameha IV., in order
to take a trip abroad, as I was much run down in health,
owing to my hard, continuous work during the small-pox
epidemic, and also from work connected with the funeral
of the late Kamehameha III.  All this work had told
on me so much that I was reduced in weight from I70
to 134 pounds.
At the outbreak of the small-pox, my associates on the
Royal Health Commission, Drs. G. P. Judd and T. C. B.
Rooke, were of that age that it was impossible for them
to take the burden of the work; and as I was young,
being then thirty-two years of age, and in good health,
it was agreed that I should attend to the outside work
of the Commission, while they looked after the official
part of it. As to what 1 did during those months of the
epidemic, I leave for some other person to enlarge upon,
and will only refer the reader to the papers of those days.
I will only say that I did all I could to alleviate the




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


83


condition of the sick and suffering, and made a journey
around the island a number of times during the epidemic,
to see that the sick were taken care of as well as was
possible.  From the people of Ionolulu I received a
public vote of thanks for my services.
The "Polynesian" of March 17, I855, speaking of my
intended trip, and of the appointment of H. S. Swinton
as Deputy Marshal during my absence, made the following remarks about myself:"Neither is it necessary to recapitulate the good qualities of
Mr. Parke, our esteemed Marshal, in order that our island readers may be informed of his character as a public servant, whose
duties often involve him in circumstances requiring characteristics
of an unusual nature. He is universally known and appreciated
at the islands as a prompt, judicious, and efficient public officer,
who has during the past five years discharged his duties
with as much acceptance and with less offence than one in a
thousand could have done. We wish him a pleasant visit to
his native land, and a speedy return to the country of his
adoption."
I left Honolulu March 19 for San Francisco, in company with the late Chief-Justice Lee, on the bark
"Frances Palmer."    His Majesty was at the wharf to
say good-by to Mr. Lee, who was leaving for the States
with the primary object of improving his health, which
was in a feeble condition; he had also received powers
from his Majesty to act as Minister Plenipotentiary to the
Government at Washington, in behalf of a reciprocity




84         PERSONAL REMINISCENCES
treaty. As I have already informed my readers, I had
been commissioned to refurnish the Palace with furniture,
some of which was to be had made to order, and which
was used for many years. At the same time his Majesty
requested me to look after Mr. Lee, and render him such
assistance as I might be able, and as he might desire.
We had a rough voyage which lasted twenty-eight days,
during the last five of which all we had to eat and drink
was salt pork, boiled rice, and cold water. It was hard
living for a well man, and particularly so for a sick one;
but we all had to stand it alike. We reached New York
safely, where Mr. Lee underwent a surgical operation,
which was successful.
Other incidents and main objects of our trip I have
already recorded in the "Pele" article, and will not
repeat them here.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


THE MARRIAGE OF KAMEHAMEHA               IV.
ONE day in the early part of I856, his Majesty Kamehameha IV. sent for me, and on my arrival at the Palace
told me that he was about to be married. As he wished
the wedding to take place in the Kawaiahao Church he
requested me to examine the galleries, as he desired that
no accidents should happen to mar the occasion. I employed Mr. Lucas, a carpenter, to make a thorough examination of the building; and it was very fortunate that
I did so, for the galleries were found to be very unsafe,
and could not have borne the weight of the crowd that
was sure to fill them.
The ceremony took place at eleven o'clock, June I9,
1856, the church being crowded with spectators.  The
following account taken from the " Polynesian" of June
21, I856, will give my readers a full description of the
whole affair: —
"The hour appointed for the ceremony was eleven
o'clock, but long before that hour the tide set in toward
the large stone church in Kawaiahao, which was beautifully decorated with wreaths and other greens. In front
of the pulpit a large platform had been built, which was
raised so high that the ceremony could be witnessed from




86


PERSONAL REMINXISCENCES


all parts of the auditorium. The altar in the centre of the
platform was handsomely trimmed, and from the centre
aisle of the church wide steps led to the top of the platform. From the tower of the church floated the Royal
Standard, while the whole town was also decorated with
flags.
"The road from the Palace to the church was covered
with rushes and lined with soldiers, the spectators standing next to the soldiers, for only a small proportion of the
people could enter the church itself.
" Shortly after eleven, the cortege of the bride, consisting of several carriages with grooms at the horses' heads,
favors, and all that belonged to the occasion, passed by
the entrance of her future home. At this point she was
met by the Royal Groom and his train, and the two companies proceeded together on their way.
" On each side of the carriages were carried kahilis, the
most fitting ornaments for such an occasion.
' The Prince (Lot Kamehameha) shared a seat in the
carriage of the King, the others following in due order.
The aides-de-camp appeared on horseback, and Captain
Ford's cavalry formed an escort preceding and closing the
procession.
"' As the King issued from the Palace gates a royal
salute was fired, and during the passage to the church a
ceremony common enough in old times, but which few
among us now have ever seen, was observed.
"The soldiers by order, and a great part of the spectators from a feeling of spontaneous loyalty, prostrated




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


87


themselves until their foreheads touched the ground.
The Hulumanus, divesting themselves of their outer garments, threw them under the horses' feet.
" On arriving at the church, the bridal procession formed
on foot, and walked up the wide aisle, the Palace band
playing 'God Save the King.' The bride and her company on ascending the platform took their positions to
the right, while his Majesty and suite occupied the space
on the other side of the altar. The American Episcopal
service was read by the Rev. R. Armstrong, assisted by
the Rev. E. Clark. The service was read both in Hawaiian
and English, which lengthened the ceremony, and if possible rendered the whole affair more imposing, each
promise being doubly made. The King appeared in full
uniform, and the bride's dress offered unmistakable evidence of its Parisian origin. Nothing could have been
more elegant, or have better suited her fairy-like figure.
The robe was of white silk, heavy and lustrous, trimmed
with three richly embroidered flounces. The veil was of
Brussel's point-lace, fastened to the hair by a wreath of
roses and orange blossoms beautifully blended.  Her
jewelry consisted of a superb set of diamonds elegantly designed. The whole effect was happy in the
extreme.
" The bridesmaids, of whom there were three, appeared
as bridesmaids only can, and were Princess Victoria Kaahumanu, the -Hon. Miss Lydia Kamakaeha, and Miss
Mary Pitman. In addition to these there were a number
of the bride's relatives on the platform.




88


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


" Upon Dr. T. C. Rooke devolved the part of giving
away the bride, she being his daughter by adoption, and
niece of his wife.
"While the ceremony was still being performed, a salute
of artillery declared the fact that the 'pretty oath by
yea and nay' had been pronounced; and as the bridal
party left the church, a salute was fired from Punch
Bowl, and still another from the French brig-of-war
'Alcibiade.'
"The cortege having returned to the Palace, their
Majesties were waited upon by the Diplomatic and Consular Corps, and by Captain Marigney of H. I. M.'s brigof-war 'Alcibiade.'   M. Perrin, the Commissioner of
France, addressed the King as follows: —
"' SIRE, - called upon by a special circumstance to speak in
the name of the Diplomatic Corps, I am indeed happy to add
the felicitations of the Governments represented by it, to so many
evidences of public joy. In the numerous characteristics destined to charm, and the eminent goodness of heart which distinguish the partner this day chosen by your Majesty, we see
with pleasure new guarantees of happiness and prosperity to the
Hawaiian nation. For this we offer to Providence our sincere
thanks.'
"L. H. Anthon, Esq., the Danish Consul, next felicitated the King and Queen in the name of the Consular
Corps, after which the members of the House of Nobles
and the Privy Council had the honor of being presented
to their Majesties.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


89


" Invitations had been given for a grand ball at the
Palace that evening, and between four and five hundred
persons were present. The Palace and grounds were
illuminated for the occasion and presented a beautiful
sight.
" At each end of the avenue that led from the principal gate, arches were erected, which were surmounted by
a crown and the royal coat-of-arms. Lamps and transparencies shining through the trees, completed the fairy-like
appearance. On all the lamps attached to the trees were
mottoes, and a pyramid of colored lights was built around
the flag-staff.
" The supper-tables were laid in a circular tent whose
size was more than enough to accommodate all the guests.
" The Queen's evening dress was an exquisitely airy
fabric of lace embroidered in white silk and silver, interspersed with marabout feathers. This was worn over a
dress of white satin.
" The first quadrille was led by their Majesties; H. R. H.
Princess Victoria Kaahumanu and M. Perrin also being
partners, as were likewise Prince Kamehameha and Miss
Hamelin, Mr. R. C. Wyllie and Miss Miller, Captain de
Marigny and the Hon. Mrs. Bernice Panahi Bishop.
"Dancing was kept up until a late hour, and during the
whole day great festivities had been indulged in by the
whole community, such as feastings and riding-parties."
Soon after this event, the Americans gave a ball in
honor of the marriage, which was held in the Court
12




90o


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


House; and this was followed by two more balls given by
the German and Chinese residents in Honolulu. The
latter ball was gotten up in grand style, the decorations
being very gorgeous and beautiful.
When these gayeties had ended, the King wished to
return the compliments shown him by the different nationalities, and decided to give a grand ball himself. As
there was no room in the old Palace large enough for the
purpose, the King asked me to make such arrangements
as were necessary, regardless of expense. I therefore had
a circular tent made, one hundred feet in diameter. This
was profusely decorated with ferns and mailie. Around
the centre pole I arranged a circular garden, borrowing
from the ladies in town all the potted palms and ferns I
could.  The centre pole itself was covered with Ieie
leaves.
The verandah on one side was closed in with flags and
decorated with lanterns, the other side of the building
being reserved for the supper-room. The space between
the Palace and the tent was closed in and carpeted, this
too being decorated with ferns and lanterns.
Between the Palace and the main entrance were four
arches hung with colored lanterns, and the entire effect
was said to be very fine. The affair was a grand success,
and was enjoyed by all present.  This brilliant event
ended the list of public entertainments given in honor of
the Royal Wedding, and the city soon resumed its usual
state of quietness.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


91


THE YACHT "THEMIS."
ON Saturday, Jan. 28, I865, the yacht "Themis," of the
Royal Thames Yacht Club, arrived in Honolulu on a pleasure trip. She was owned and commanded by Captain
Thomas B. Hanham, a retired officer of the English navy,
who was accompanied by his wife. Captain Hanham had
visited several ports in the Mediterranean, and was making a trip around the Pacific, to visit some of the places
with which he was familiar when acting as a midshipman
on board H. B. M. Ship " Carysfort," commanded by Lord
George Paulet.
The " Themis " was an iron vessel of one hundred and
sixty tons, schooner rigged, and fitted up in a way becoming to a gentleman who is yachting about the world for
pleasure.  Before her arrival here, letters had been received, which gave the information that Captain Hanham
would visit these islands with his family. On the arrival
of the yacht, the visitors were cordially received and
treated with much attention (more than travellers of distinction usually received) by the King, who had Captain
Hanham to reside at the Palace, and gave him the use
of his horses and carriages during the time the Captain
was in Honolulu. The King's ministers also entertained
him handsomely, as did persons in different parts of the
islands where the yacht touched while cruising about.




92


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


She was not required to enter at the Custom House, and
came and went freely among the islands, her owner returning such attentions as he had received ashore by
generous hospitalities on board.
During his stay here Captain Hanham was attracted by
one of the girls about the Palace, who was under the charge
of the King, and persuaded her to accompany him to
England. On learning that such was his intention, some
friends remonstrated with him, reminding him of the law
prohibiting natives from being carried out of the country
without the permission of the Governor of the island in
which they were residing. They told him that he would
not be allowed to take the girl, as her departure in such
a way would be no benefit to her.  Captain Hanham
denied that he had any intention of taking her; and it is
said that he promised the King and Dr. Hutchison, the
Minister of the Interior, that he would not do so.
But on Thursday, November 9, of the same year, he
came on shore, went to the Palace, and asked the King to
go down to the wharf to see him off. Then in company
with the girl he rode hastily to the wharf, jumped into
his boat, pulled for his ship, and set sail, - at the same
time communicating with the shore that he had taken
the girl with him, because he was desired not to, thus
putting at defiance the law of the land and those charged
with the execution of it. The next morning I received
orders from the Government to take the "Pele" and
proceed at once in pursuit of the "Themis," and bring
the girl back. As the "Pele" was not very seaworthy,




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


93


merely being a tug to tow vessels in and out of the
harbor, I hired a whaleboat and crew to go with me.
We left Honolulu at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and
as it was known that Captain Hanham wished to stop at
Lahaina to land the Rev. Mr. Mason, who resided there,
and whom Captain Hanham had taken as a passenger for
that place, I cruised in that direction. At about half-past
three that afternoon, there being no breeze, I came up
with the "Themis" about fifteen miles to the leeward of
Lanai. On hailing, I was not allowed to board her, but
upon calling for Captain Hanham, he consented to my
coming on board. I told him of my errand, and that he
was within the jurisdiction of the islands.  He replied
that he was not, at the same time refusing to deliver the
girl to me.
Being unable to enforce my demand, I could do nothing.
However I remained on board some two hours, endeavoring, with the aid of Mr. Mason, to persuade Captain
Hanham to allow me to take the girl, but to no avail.
He said he should take her to England, but would first
land Mr. Mason at Lahaina, then go to Kohala, and then
return to Honolulu. Finding he would not consent to
my demand, I left the "Themis," telling Captain Hanham I should return to Honolulu.  The "Pele" was
headed for Koko Head; but as soon as it was dark, her
course was altered for Lahaina, where we arrived the following morning at five o'clock. Knowing that Captain
Hanham wished to land Mr. Mason there, I was on the
watch for the " Themis."  The "Pele" returned without




94


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


me to Honolulu, Sunday afternoon, carrying an account
of my ill success.
When this was known, it was decided by the Government to show Captain Hanham that the law was not to be
put at defiance, and that its officer should not be resisted
by force in the discharge of his duty.  Therefore the
" Nettie Merrill," a fast inter-island trading schooner, was
armed with four guns and twenty soldiers, under the command of Lieutenant Kahoohuli, - David Dayton bearing
despatches, -and on that evening (Sunday) she set sail
for Lahaina to take me on board. The " Nettie " arrived
at Lahaina the following Tuesday afternoon. By her I
received further orders to arrest Captain Hanham, and to
enforce the authority of the law to the full extent of the
means at my disposal, if it became necessary, and provided that I fell in with the "Themis" within the jurisdiction of the islands.
As soon as some necessary articles were procured, I
went on board the schooner.  From what Captain Hanham had told me when I boarded his yacht from the
" Pele," I ordered the "Nettie" to sail directly for Hilo.
When off Kaanapali that afternoon, I saw a flag on shore
signalling to us.  I answered the signal, and ran up
towards the land, where I received information from Peter
H. Treadway, the Sheriff of Maui, that the "Themis " was
at Kahului.  The " Nettie" was immediately headed for
that place; but the weather was very bad, and there was
a heavy head sea, in consequence of which we did not
reach the offing of Kahului until six o'clock the next




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


95


morning.  Seeing no signs of the "Themis," we bore
away for Hilo, with a squally wind, the "Nettie" under
reefed sails.  As we were going into Hilo bay on the
afternoon of the I7th, a sail was descried to the leeward,
which later proved to be the "Themis."
I immediately hoisted an American flag to deceive her
if possible, and shortly anchored. I then went on shore to
procure boats with which to go out and board the " Themis," as the wind was too light to sail the " Nettie."
The " Themis" was sailing with a signal set for a pilot;
but in anticipation of this I had secured the only pilot
there was, and had him on the " Nettie;" and I would not
let him go out to the "Themis," as I had reasons for
thinking he would tell Captain Hanham that the schooner
in the harbor was the " Nettie," and that I was on board
of her. After some consultation with Mr. John H. Coney,
the Sheriff of Hawaii, he agreed to go out to the "Themis," and tell Captain Hanham that the regular pilot was
sick, and could not come out. On reaching the yacht he
told Captain Hanham that the schooner inside was from
California. Accordingly the " Themis " altered her course,
and was three miles off the anchorage when Captain
Hanham recognized the character of the "Nettie." He
immediately tacked and stood out to sea.
This was about five o'clock in the afternoon. As soon
as I saw this movement of the " Themis," I started in a
whaleboat for her, being accompanied by Captain Barrett
of the whale-ship " Sun-Beam," which was in the bay, and
Mr. Barker, the latter having charge of the boat. I had




96


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


already ordered Mr. Dayton to follow in another boat with
as many soldiers as it could carry. The "Nettie" was
also got under way as soon as possible, and followed the
boats out; the wind however was very light. On my way
out I met Sheriff Coney, who was just returning from the
"Themis," and I ordered him into my boat. The yacht
had all sail set, but as the wind continued to be light we
soon succeeded in coming up with her. My boat was
brought alongside, and I ordered the officer on the deck of
the " Themis," who was apparently the mate, to heave to,
as I had a process to serve on board, the yacht being within the jurisdiction of the Hawaiian Government. He replied that he had orders not to allow me to board the
" Themis." I said that I must. He replied that he had
further orders to fire on me if I made the attempt. I answered, "Fire, and take the consequences!" At the same
time I ordered the boat's crew to heave ahead, and attempted to board the yacht. The mate of the " Themis "
then ordered the crew to man her guns, which they did.
At the same time one of the crew, sitting aft on the
traffrail, made signs with his hands, which I interpreted
as a warning to me to keep out of the way, as each time
he made the signal, he bent over and looked down the
companionway, apparently watching the motions of some
one below. Meanwhile the boat with the soldiers and the
"Nettie" were a long way from me, and the "Themis"
was by this time under full sail.  As I had reason to
suppose the mate would fire on me if I made the attempt
to board, I was obliged to give it up. I therefore ordered




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


97


the boat's crew to cease pulling ahead, and returned to
the "Nettie," which had been anchored, as the wind had
died away. By this time it was dark.
At ten o'clock that night, the "Themis" fired four
guns and sent up a blue light. I got a boat and crew
from the " Sun-Beam," and pulled out into the offing, to
see if I could find the yacht. But after cruising around
until one o'clock in the morning, without any sight of
her, I returned. An hour later the land breeze coming
down, the " Nettie " was again got under way, and stood
out in search of the " Themis." At daylight the yacht
was discovered about eight miles off shore, standing
directly in to the land. When she saw the "Nettie,"
she tacked and stood out to sea, setting her colors
on the fore and main mast, making all sail, and steering E. S. E. The chase was continued until noon, when
the "Themis," which in running before the wind could
sail two knots to the "Nettie's" one, was hull down.
I therefore abandoned the pursuit, and sailed for Lahaina, arriving there early Monday morning, the 20th.
On landing I found that Mr. Mason had been landed
at Kahului, and had returned to Lahaina overland. I
saw him, and had some conversation with him in regard
to the affair. The following day I sailed for Honolulu,
arriving there the same day.  I made my report to
the Government concerning the chase of the "Themis,"
which was approved.
On Friday, the 24th of the same month, the " Themis"
touched at Waialua, on this island (Oahu), landing the
i3




98         PERSONAL REMINISCENCES
girl and a young half-caste man whom Captain Hanham
had intended to take abroad with him; they were both
brought to Honolulu.  Captain Hanham  sent a long
letter to Mr. James W. Austin, which consisted principally of a tirade against Dr. Hutchison, calling him anything but an honest man, and asking him (Mr. Austin) to
come off on board, which Mr. Austin declined to do, sending a letter to that effect through me to Captain Hanham,
who was off Waialua. But upon receiving another letter
begging him to come, Mr. Austin went. Captain Hanham
told him that the report I had made, in regard to the
mate of the "Themis" ordering me not to board her,
and what followed in Hilo Bay, was "a base fabrication "
on my part. He shortly sailed for England; and in my
opinion, when any person of his stamp comes here again
he will be more careful.




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


99


KAONA, THE RELIGIOUS FANATIC, AND HIS
REBELLION.
J. KAONA was born at North Kona, Hawaii, and was
educated at the Hilo Boarding School, graduating from
the Laihainaluna Seminary. After leaving the latter
place, he was Police Magistrate at Lahaina, but finally
returned to his birthplace, where, as will appear, he and a
band of his followers distinguished themselves.
In I867, he introduced himself to Rev. J. D. Paris, of
Kona (to whom I am indebted for the account of all that
happened prior to my arrival on the scene), saying, " I have
come to Kona from Honolulu, and have brought with me a
lot of Hawaiian Bibles for gratuitous distribution, and I
want a place to store them until the Sabbath is past." This
was Saturday afternoon. He also begged that he might
store them in the new church Lanakila, which was at that
time covered in, but had not been finished inside, or consecrated. The church trustees granted his request, and he
immediately took possession. In a few days it was rumored that Kaona, with a large number of his family and
its branches, who lived near by, had all moved into the
church.
The first signs of religious insanity now appeared,
for Kaona and his wife claimed to be divinely inspired




I00


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


prophets of the Lord Jehovah, and God-appointed heads
of the church on earth; and they assumed to take possession of this property in the name of the Lord. All who
would consent to be his followers were to take oath on the
Bible, live in common, wear a white badge on their hats,
have a Bible hung by their sides like a sword, and follow
their leaders to death or victory. When requested by the
church officers to vacate the building, Kaona and his followers positively refused to do so, threatening vengeance
upon any person who should interfere or attempt to oust
them. Here they continued to live for some weeks, singing, praying, chanting the Psalms, day and night, and
telling their dreams, until an order of ejectment was
served on them from the Governess of the island, Ruth
Keeliiokalani. Being, however, finally compelled to leave
the church, they took possession of a tract of land near
by, belonging to Kanaina, erected a number of grass
houses, and planted a flag-pole. There they stayed until
the rainy season came on, when they moved again, a mile
and a half nearer the sea, where they remained until
driven out by force some months later.
They then planted their flag-pole in the middle of an
open court, erected grass houses, and held both religious
and political meetings. Kaona claimed to be the head
of all the powers that be, Church or State, and defied
and threatened utter extermination to any one who
should oppose him or his followers. The land which they
had taken possession of had been leased in the mean
time to Mr. William F. Ray; he showed the lease to




OF WILLIAM COOPER PARKE.


IOI


Kaona, and requested him and his followers to leave, but
all to no purpose. After trying to have them removed
peaceably, and receiving only abuse, he took legal steps
for ejectment, and Sheriff Neville proceeded to serve the
notice. When he read it, at the same time giving Kaona
a copy, the latter was full of wrath; seizing the paper he
spit upon it, and tearing it in pieces stamped it under
his feet, venting his anger on Mr. Neville and all civil
authority. Affirming that he was amenable to no earthly
power, he ordered the sheriff to leave, and never again to
dare to assume authority over him or his followers, declaring that if he did so he would be severely dealt with. For
good reasons nothing more was done for some months in
attempting another notice of ejectment.
In the following year, I868, Hawaii was visited by a
series of severe earthquakes; and Kaona, understanding
the superstitious character of the natives, made the most
of the events. He uttered his prophecies, that the end
was at hand; that the world was to be burned up after a
certain number of days, and that only he and his followers
would be saved. His disciples were sent forth in every
direction to warn the people - natives and foreigners -
to repent, to flee from the wrath to come, to turn to him
as the Lord's true prophet, and join his followers. All who
refused, he said, would assuredly perish, and be forever
excluded from the Kingdom of Heaven.
When Sheriff Neville went to serve the second notice
of ejectment, knowing what kind of a man he had to deal
with, he was armed, and accompanied with his deputy and




102


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


a number of constables.  He rode to the outskirts of
Kaona's encampment; but before reaching the house
which Kaona made his headquarters the sheriff and his
constables were met by a shower of stones, and surrounded
by a large force of the fanatics, armed with clubs, stones,
and lassos, and yelling like fiends, "Kill the haole,1 kill the
haole!" In the melee Sheriff Neville was struck in the
head by a stone, which fractured his skull (as it was supposed) and felled him from his horse. The other constables
barely escaped with their lives, except one, who was lassoed,
dragged from his horse, and killed. Several others were
severely wounded, but made their escape on horseback.
Neville lay where he fell for some hours, no one daring
to remove him; he was still alive, but unable to help himself. When it was reported to Kaona that the sheriff was
still alive, he called upon his followers to acquit themselves like men; and said that whoever would put an end
to that wicked haole should have the highest seat in
heaven. A fierce, blood-thirsty fellow stood forth and
said, "I am the man," and club in hand went out and
finished the work of murder. This bloody work done, the
whole community gathered around their leader, dressed in
white, with their Bibles, chanting, "Glory to God in the
highest, who has given us the victory over our enemies!"
Then after a thrilling harangue, Kaona exhorted his followers to seize and put to death all who would not join
them, - natives and foreigners alike, -and to set fire to
their houses.
1 Zaoli means "foreigner."




OF WILLIAMr COOPER PARKE.            J03
When this was known, the whole district was aroused.
All able-bodied men - natives and foreigners - armed
themselves for the protection of their families and property. Word was sent post haste to Hilo, to Mr. John H.
Coney, the sheriff of the island, who soon arrived with
an armed force, and being joined by the armed band in
Kona, marched directly to the encampment of Kaona, and
soon forced him and his followers to surrender and yield
themselves as prisoners. They were placed in confinement until the arrival of the " Kilauea " the following day
from Honolulu, as word had been sent there of the trouble,
and asking for assistance.
News of the disturbance was received in Honolulu on
the morning of Oct. 22, I868, by the schooner " Prince."
At one o'clock A. M. I was awakened by a messenger bringing me a letter from Hon. C. F. Hart, telling of the death
of Sheriff Neville and of a constable, and asking for help,
as they could not tell how long the disturbance would last.
I immediately went to Governor Dominis, then in charge
of the Government troops, and we proceeded to the Palace, and requested the guard to call the King Kamehameha V. His Majesty, upon being told of the affair,
immediately sent for his ministers and Captain John A.
Hassinger to meet him at the Palace. When all were
present, the King read the letter I had received, and asked
his ministers what steps should be taken in the matter.
The Minister of the Interior asked me what I had to
suggest. I said that as the steamer " Kilauea" would be
due in Lahaina the next day, a sailing vessel should be




I04


PERSONAL REMINISCNCCES


chartered to take the necessary troops there and intercept
the steamer, that the troops should then be transferred to
her, leaving the chartered vessel to take the steamer's
cargo to Honolulu. This plan was discussed, and finally
agreed upon. Governor Dominis left to make arrangements for the troops; while Major Prendergast, the King's
Chamberlain, was sent for, and ordered to engage a suitable vessel, and provide provisions for the expedition. All
this was done early in the morning; and at eight o'clock
A. M. we met again at the Palace, when the Chamberlain reported that he had chartered the two schooners,
"Prince" and "Kaimaile," and Governor Dominis said
that he had selected the soldiers who were to go.
At two o'clock P. M. that afternoon the expedition sailed
from the end of the Esplanade, under command of Governor Dominis, accompanied by his Excellency Stephen
H. Phillips, Acting Secretary of War, by myself, Major
Charles H. Judd, Captains J. A. Hassinger and Von
Goznitz, and Lieut. Allan W. Judd. The force consisted of fifty men from the Household Troops under
command of Captain Kahoohuli and Lieutenant Kahananiu, sixty-five men of the Light Artillery, as infantry,
with one gun under command of Capt. J. A. Hassinger
and Lieutenant Judd.
After a rough night we reached Lahaina at two o'clock
the next afternoon, and came to anchor just as the
" Kilauea" was coming in. I boarded her at once, telling
the captain of my orders, and directed him to anchor between the two schooners; the work of transferring the




OF WILLIA M COOPER PARKE.


IoS


cargo was begun, the soldiers helping. At four o'clock
that afternoon we started for Hawaii, - this was on
Friday,-and on the following day reached Kealakekua
Bay, our destination, and began to land the troops at
Kaawaloa. As we passed along the coast before coming to our anchorage, we could see that the camp of
Kaona was in a state of commotion; and at the landing
we were met by Sheriff Coney, who had been sent for.
Credit is due him for his promptness in coming to the
scene of trouble from Hilo, riding night and day in order
to arrive as soon as possible. We found Kaona and his
followers in Mr. Todd's yard, under the guard of the foreign residents, who had been on duty since the capture of
the fanatics. The residents were relieved by the soldiers,
who were placed under the command of Captain Hassinger.
It rained all that night, and both soldiers and prisoners
had to make the best of it, as there was no building to
put them in.
During that evening a consultation was held as to the
disposal of the prisoners; it was decided to take them the
next day to Kailua, as there were better accommodations
there. I was ordered to take a number of men and disinter the bodies of Mr. Neville and the native constable,
and give them suitable burial. I found both of the bodies
horribly mangled; both had been buried in a sitting posture, their arms bound to their sides with ropes. After
some difficulty the bodies were placed in coffins, and
taken home for decent interment. The Rev. Alexander
McIntosh was then in Kona, and officiated at the funeral,
I4




Io6


PERSONAL REMINISCENCES


which was a very sad one. After the services were over
the steamer left for Kailua, arriving there that afternoon
at four o'clock, and the prisoners were landed the next
day. Attorney-General Phillips conducted the prosecution for the preliminary examinations, which were begun
immediately. Some of the women among the prisoners
were sent home, having taken no part in the assault.
In all sixty-six men and twelve women were committed
for trial, and sent to Honolulu; a large number of these
were released a few days afterwards from the Oahu Prison
by order of the Attorney-General, and twenty men and one
woman were returned to Hawaii for trial at the May Term
of the Supreme Court in I869, when all but eight men
were discharged. The woman was not tried until the November Term in the same year, but she was not returned
to Honolulu.
Notwithstanding the fact that officials had been foully
murdered in the discharge of their duties, not one of the
prisoners was convicted of murder. Kaona the leader was
tried for manslaughter in the second degree, and was
sentenced to ten years' imprisonment. None of the terms
of imprisonment exceeded sixteen years, which was slight
punishment for such a deed. Of the prisoners, three
served their time and were discharged; three died in
prison, and one was pardoned. As to Kaona himself, there
is no entry in the record as to what became of him.




OF WILLIAM, COOPER PARKE.          107
NOTES.
IN October of 1852, I took a census of the foreign population included in the following limits of the District of
Kona, Oahu, namely, - from Kalihi to Waikiki one way,
and up Nuuanu Valley as far as the Pali.
Males over 21 years.............  380
"  under 21 years......           29
Females over 21 years......            144
"   under 21 years.........     118
Colored persons........  2 1
Chinamen in business......             37
Coolies and servants.......           34
Making the foreign population in Honolulu at that date. 863
THE CONDITION OF SUGAR CULTIVATION IN 1853.
Lihue Kauai.......580 acres.
Koloa ".......65 o
Hlounalua Maui.....             300
Makawao  ".............  500  "
Hana........             30 
Waimea Hawaii....                   50
Hilo  (central).......           50
Total number of cultivated acres...  2,750




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