Polynesian. [volume], November 16, 1844, Page 106, Image 2

About Polynesian. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu], Hawaii) 1844-1864

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T JI U 1' U L V N i: t; I A K.
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THE POLYNESIAN.
OFFICIAL JOVHSAL OP Tilt: IAll AIA.S
tiovi:itMP.sr.
HONOLULU, SATURDAY, NOV. lfi, ISM.
Much has been said of late in regard to
the supposed exorbitant rate of tonnage due
for this port, and their effect in driving away
whalers, and injuring the business of the isl
ands... Harsh terms and assertions which
will not bear scrutiny, have been freely em
ployed, and the subject so much harped
upon, that for ought we know, some people
really believe an abuse exists. Indeed, we
have heard the G cents tonnage dues soberly
termed an "outrage;" but it is to be hoped
that individuals who make so weighty a
charge, will, hereafter, have the candor to
examine the grounds upon which their
opinion is based. Let us look info this " out
rage." To October 10th., there have arri
ved at this port 83 American whalers, w hose
tonnage amounted to 29,030 tons, which at
C cents a ton, gives the sum of $1,743; val
ue of ships and cargoes $1,146,576; tonnage
dues 1-21 per cent of that amount, a per
rentage which certainly cannot strike any
one as being particularly outrageous. And
for whose benefit is this sum employed ?
We say for the whalers. (Jovernment can
not exist without funds, and among the most
ordinary methods of taxation, are the indirect
ones of dues upon shipping and customs.
Money is one of tli3 chief means to sustain
an efficient government Ry it, men of char
acter and ability can be procured to fill the
offices necessary for creating and adminis
tering, faithfully and impartially, laws and
justice. In proportion as there exists here
a wise and efficient government, in that pro
portion will it be conducive to the welfare
of foreigners who visit or reside in this king
dom. This government is as well aware as
its best friends or hottest opponents can be,
of the wisdom of a liberal commercial policy,
and will be governed in its enactments by
that policy which will best promote the gen
eral welfare. It owes protection to those
who arc here transiently, as well as to those
who reside here permanently. That a?gis is
best afforded through well ordered courts of
justice, to support which money is necessa
ry, and the $1,146,076 which have been at
Honolulu this year up to October 10th., have
paid towards that purpose 1-24 per cent:
2400 seamen have been protected in their
rights, a well-ordered town at their disposal
for all lawful enjoyments, and the communi
ty likewise preserved from any danger or
casualties which bodies of inebriated seamen
might, if not restrained by the strong arm
of law, occasion. Such are the effects of
this outrage." We would inquire if the
owners of this 1,000,000 of shipping, would
not prefer paying $1700, for the benefits of
a safe harbor, pleasant town, and well-regulated
society, where their seamen can be
restrained and held to their duty, their prop
erty amply protected, and in case of fraud,
disaster or shipwreck, their business proper
ly adjusted, than for a less sum to run the
risks of a disorderly, demi-savagc port, w ith
the usual enticements to seamen to run away,
and the lowest stages of dissipation, without
other law to repress than the rude force of
ill-restrained barbarians, or tho code of the
cat ? There are many such ports in the Pa
cific. Why not go to them ? Pccause it
costs too much, as by sad experience they
' well know.
Every efibrt made by government to in
crcaso its revenue, is too often stigmatised
as oppressive, an outrage, and considered
as infringing upon past custom or rights, &c,
and yet, it is the foreign population which
occasions the greatest outlay to secure to
them order and justice. It is notorious that
ull serious and expensive lawsuits and con
troversies, in which this government is made
a party, nolens volcns, originate exclusively
among foreigners, and the government is
obliged to exert itself, at a very considerable
outlay of time and funds, to settle their
affairs. And yet, paying no taxes, there are
of so donitf e would summer that thev
look back with longing eyes and desire a
return, to the times of misrule and disorder.
They may as well, thinking to strengthen
their physical power, cut oil' their right
hands, for there arc none who more require
an efficient government, than those who de
light in the " uncertainties of law." The
expense of providing courts capable of ad
ministering to the wants of the indigenous
population, is but comparatively trilling.
Will the shipping be driven away, in con
sequence of the six cents tonnage tax ? We
think not. They will consult their interests,
as any party, seeking pecuniary gain, will.
So long as these islands arc so favorably
situated in regard to their fisheries, and sup
plies are abundant; in short, so long as our
harbors are tho best adapted to supply their
numerous wants, just so long will they come,
and no longer. Should other ports afford
greater inducements, they w ill resort to them
though no port charges whatever should ex
ist here. That our ports are the best for
them at present, the number that resort hith
er is conclusive evidence. We are happy
to have them; they add greatly to tho pros
perity of the islands, and suitable induce
ments for them to continue so to do will be
afforded in increased and cheapened supplies,
good order, and a well-regulated community.
drcat as has been the advantage derived
from the whalers, we doubt if there is any
one who will have the folly to assert that it
has not been reciprocal. It has struck us
as somewhat singular, that among the vari
ous plans so often suggested to the govern
ment, by cheapening their charges to induce
shipping to resort hither, it has never occur
red to those whose pecuniary profits are the
greatest and most immediate from them, to
cheapen their goods We think the whalers
would be quite as much gratified by such an
act, as by the reduction of the tonnage dues.
In one instance four to six dollars might be
saved to a vessel, in the other some hun
dreds. We will relate an instance of tho reason
ableness of the complaints so frequently
made. A whaling captain, not long since,
called upon the Collector to settle his harbor
dues. The bill was made out at the custom
ary rate of six cents a ton. The captain ex
amined it, and then broke out into a violent
tirade against the government: " You arc
always altering the harbor dues; you drive
the whalers away, we can't stand such im
position; the last time I paid a different sum,
what do you mean by it." The Collector
inquired if it were his opinion that in conse
quence of the alteration, the whalers would
all "desert the port ? The Captain reiterated
his assertion, more positively than before.
" Well then," replied the Collector, "your
bill, last time, was made out at 10 cents per
ton, since then it has been reduced to C cents,
and you grumble at the reduction." It is
needless to say that the majority of the com
plaints are founded upon quito as accurate
an understanding of the matter as the
above.
As the charges upon whalers at this port,
as we are creditably informed, have been
represented as enormously high, and the
representations have tended to keep vessels
away that might otherwise have come wc
subjoin the true rate, for the information of
those who have been deceived.
Fur ii 1 "case I of Three llun lrel tans.
Tonnage, at C cents - - 18,00
Hiiovh, etc., 3,oo
Pilotage, in nmf out, $ )
a foot, say 2S feet $ -3' u
19,00
The harbor of Honolulu being perfectly
secure, confers the great advantage of no
loss of time, by bad weather, in loading or
discharging, taking care of ship, slipping ca
bles and going to sea, to which those lying in
an exposed roadsted are always subject.
We believe it would be good economy for
vessels to resort hither, even at the increased
expense of pilotage, when these contingen
cies are taken into consideration, and the
advantages u hirh n l.irnre mm in
some who grudge the government the means! there is always moie or less competition,
affords, both for selling and purchasing.
The peculiar value ami importance of these
islands to the whaling interest has never
been more conspicuous, than since the dis
covery of the great North West hunting
ground. This cruise, from the dampness
and coolness of the weather, the high north
crn latitudes to which the vessels resort, and
the activity of tho game, is peculiarly trying
to health, and we find the scurvy, and other
diseases incident to long and severe expo
sure, not (infrequently make their appearance
among the crews. Without the advantages
which these islands afford in fresh provisions,
medical aid, secure harbors, wholesome
laws, tho means of recruiting diminished
crews, of repairing vessels in a thorough
and faithful manner, and of social amuse
ments, what would be the result ? Providence
has so placed and blessed them, as if in ref
erence to their necessities, and no other
ports within many thousand miles, indeed
we may safely say, throughout the whole
Pacific, combine the numerous advantages
of ours. If they had not existed, the whaling
business must have been prosecuted under
serious disadvantages. The ports of South
America would then have been the nearest
to their fields of labor, and to reach the
North West, from them, forty to sixty days
must have been added to their passages, to
the great detriment of their stock of fresh
vegetables, without an abundant supply of
which, the healths of their crews could not
be preserved. On their return, when ex
hausted and perhaps in distress from sick
ness, accidents or any of the many casualties
which so often occur, the same extent of
ocean, under the additional disadvantage of
head winds, must be traversed before the
same ports could be reached, and when
reached not one of them possesses a moiety
of the advantages that here exist for refitting.
Most of them are open roadsteds; all w ithout
wharves, and none with a greater variety of
produce, or better police. With the excep
tion of Chili, revolutionary governments pre
vail, to the great hindrance of commerce.
Here, also, arc moral and religious advanta
ges, the value of which, to those who feel
conscious of their wants as imperishable and
accountable beings, cannot be too highly
appreciated. On tho coast, the Protestant
sees his religion contemned, himself branded
as an heretic, and prohibited from worship
ping in the faith of his conscience. But here,
is perfect religious freedom. Side by side,
temples to the Most High, whether of Ro
manist or Protestant erection, raise their
spires towards heaven. The tiara of Rome
is content to repose itself upon the broad plat
form of toleration.
Wc are aware that some care little for
such privileges as we have spoken of. To
them, thc riotous ride, the wassail, and the
excitement of mischievous frolic, have more
of en joyment than the quiet Sabbath, the re
fined circle and the amenities of civil life.
They roam the sea, as the wild hunter the
prairie, enduring an existence of toil and
hardship, diversified by the wild and fierce
joy of reckless dissipation. Hut such are
few, and every year lessens their number.
This article has already been extended
much longer than was intended, and although
we have but imperfectly treated the subject,
yet sufficient perhaps has been said to
duce those who have looked heretofore but
upon one side of the view, to examine the
other also. If this were done, not only in
this instance, but in all other cases which
arise and create, upon misled views, com
plaints and reproaches, the community would
become at once more just and more liberal.
IWITOR'S T.M5LK TALK AND T1II.(JS IN
CKNKKAL.
Friend. "Rut you will not admit a replv."
"Jty yonv remark in common with
some others, we judge you to misapprehend
the character of the paper. Tho paper is
fully open to discussion. Tho government
seeks to base its measures upon wisdom and
truth, and therefore has nothing to fear, but
much to gain, from the increase of the one
and development of the other."
Frit ml. "If the article does not suit you,
you .refuse it."
Kd. "Nay friend ! there are general
rules which apply equally to oursclf, as to
others, and it is our endeavor to apply them
impartially. Violent diatribes are to be es
chewed, as well as all personalities. They
create acrimony. It appears to me that the
subject and the author are too little distin
guished. Kvery argument which can be
brought to bear against the subject is a le
gitimate weapon ; but the author should be
separated from the writings, except so far as
he purposly incorporates himself with them.
We find however, that it is very common for
disputants in their zeal for their cause, to
glide, perhaps insensibly to themselves, into
personal invective, rant, unfounded asser
tions, and thus loosing sight of the real ground
of difference, create a still wider breach by
the bandying of hot words and hard names.
We can only compare it to thrusting tar and
pitch into the furnace of a steam-boiler, when
already heated by its proper fuel to its high
est point. It will be good luck rather than
good management if the boiler does not ex
plode. The truth is, mankind arc not over
fond of thinking, and it is easier to declaim
than reason. We should be much gratified
to receive articles discussing such measures
of government as affect the community, or in
other matters that they may conceive to bear
upon their interests or pleasures. The more
pungent the argument and the stronger its
application the better. The cross-fire of wit
is not like the field of battle, too exciting to
be pleasant. It would be far more useful
and candid, instead of attacking and under
mining public measures and characters, bv
declaiming at street coners, and behind shop
counters, and in domestic circles, to coine
out openly and proclaim objections through
the press. If a public act is vulnerable, assault
it, hammer at it, batter it, destroy it, if you
can, but let it be in "a fair field," and we
ask "no quarters."
From a quarter where we should least have
expected it, we have recived tho following
comments upon the "Private Chapter."
There is a tinge of mysticism about them,
and the writer evidently labors under some
important idea, which he cares not about
clearly defining. Upon the whole, we think
it "passing strange," and supassing true.
Read and digest :
"The 'Private Chapter,1 in the Polyne
sian of the 28th. September is indeed too gen
erally too true, and has been so for too long
a time. Themselves may also well exclaim
as they do, "but who is there can say stand
back, for I am holier than thou." I think
they should have commenced that chapter in
the following sense, and given it some other
column of the paper.
"Tlu re is and has been a want of that gen
uine highmindedness which has honesty lor
its basis, the only sure foundation upon which
any thing lofty was ever built that which
distinguishes between real greatness and that
false inflated glory of the moment, whose el
evation, like that of the balloon, is owing to
its emptiness if not to its emptiness at Feast
to the levity of its freight. There is want of
good faith and all that which regulates it,
which is the soul of all commereiaLis well as
all moral relations. It gives to business &c.
that confidence and good understanding of
Friendship which cannot fail to diffuse com
fort and happiness but what has Honolulu
had for a foundation for this (well applicable
to some other and larger places.) Jl mu- and
aolul stone must he laid if ever it had a good
one; there has evidently, been rotten mate
rials used upon it or in it. Some things are
strange and passing strange, and then not
strange at all. May truth be with us in all
things."
Hi.ifiHT of lazivr.ss. A full grown.stout
man, sauntering through the streets with, a
broom over his shoulder for sale.
Mkxd Voun Wat". Wc arc called upon
to notice the condition of some of our streets,
that by the Roman Church in particular ;
which is in a bad odor from the liberty taken
by careless and untidy people of emptying
into it the sweepings of their yards. We do
not seo however, that any improvement will
take place until the town becomes incorpo
rated and a regular municipal government
instituted. When that occurs more ways
than one will be mended..
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