Page 24. MAINE COASTAL NEWS May 2017


Karaimoku, is at the head of the government, and railed most ridiculously at the law on females: declared the prohibition to be a great wickedness: said such a thing was un- known in England and America; and that if any chief organ ministers should attempt to stop prostitution in either of those countries, they would lose their heads immediately. He also spoke of the mission in the most hostile manner.


Finding that Boki had not the power of


repealing the law, a general Council of the Chiefs was appointed at his request. The next morning, Karaimoku, (the aged and sick Regent of the island,) and Kaahumanu, (the most powerful of the female chiefs, and associated with Karaimoku in the Regency,) sent Boki to request Capt. Percival to make his communication to them in writing, as Lord Byron had done at the council he held with the chiefs. He answered that he would not write, but would talk and would fi ght – that his vessels was small, but like fi re – warned the chiefs as to their own safety, in resisting his wishes – said he would shoot Mr. Bingham if he came to the council, and would have the law removed at any consequence. At the council he was more moderate, but insisted on the repeal of the law – complained loudly that the chiefs had insulted him by not admitting females to his schooner, when they had allowed them to go on board the BLONDE frigate, (which was not true,) and said he would rather have his arms and legs cut off , than to be thus insulted. Your Missionaries, he added, tell you so and so, but they are only Kanakas, (common low men) – I know nothing about them – I am a Chief from the United States, and you must listen to me. To his speech the chiefs made little re-


ply, except that they had recently heard the word of God, and we determined to obey his commandments and walk in the right way. In answer to this mention of the word of God, he said, “When some wicked people took an address to Jesus Christ to be punished, he did not punish her, but told her to go back again, – and here left the passage, so that the people who believed what the Captain said, supposed that our Lord commended the woman for adultery. Kaahauwana said to him, “We have


turned to the Lord, and we wish all our people to do the same – for the reason, we have laid law. We make no law for you, nor for your men, nor for your women – it is for our own females we have made the law.” He received no answer at the Council, concerning the repeal of the prohibition. The next morning, he sent a messenger, demanding the liberation of fi ve noted pros- titutes, and threatened that he would blow the town down if they did not listen to him. On Saturday evening, the 25th


of February,


Captain Percival came to Kaahumana again – told her she was hevaroo (very wicked) for not removing the law – told her she was putting herself and people in danger, and spent an hour in railing at her, the chiefs and the mission – sometimes merely hinting at the hazards to which we were exposing ourselves, and at others uttering the most positive threats. Kaahumanu replied, “I have seen men of war before – I have seen men of war from England and from Russia, and from France, and from Spain; but I have nev- er before seen a man of war as you are.” And she actually came to me to inquire whether Captain Percival was indeed an American offi cer or whether he was not a pirate. The next morning, Sabbath, 26th


, all was pleasant


and quiet as usual. In the afternoon, about the time of worship, it commenced raining, and the people were prevented assembling in the usual place of public service. Kara- imoku was in his sick chamber, and most of


HISTORY FROM THE PAST - Hancock Gazette - 1827 After this, it and the other testimony be-


the chiefs with him. Mr. Bingham went to the government house to consult the chiefs about the afternoon worship. While he was there four sailors came in, armed with clubs, demanding the removal of the law – saying they would have the restoration of their for- mer practices, or they would have the houses down. Karaimoku ordered them peremptori- ly from the house as did Kaahumana, and the other Chiefs – they refuse to go, and formed a line brandishing their clubs. Other sailors soon arrive, and they commenced an attack on the house, and broke nearly all the glass in the front windows. They then left the en- closure of the chiefs and proceeded towards Mr. Bingham’s residence, immediately ad- joining – Mrs. Bingham was alone, and Mr. Bingham perceiving their design, sprang by a cross path to her defense. He was met, however, at the door by seven of the mob, and force back to the gate. He there escaped and fl ed again to the yard of the chiefs – he was pursued by the mob, one of whom struck him with a club, and another drew his knife on him. As soon as the natives perceived this, they waited no longer, but fell on the sailors and soon secured them all. Mr. Bingham then went to his own house, but had scarce- ly fastened the door, when an additional party arrived. Two of them proceeded to Mr. Bingham’s with heavy clubs, and beat in the windows, and attempted to force the door; but from some cause turned their clubs against each other, till one was laid senseless on the ground. In the meantime; the battle was renewed in the other yard – stones and clubs fl ew in every direction, till Captain Percival arrived and the men were secured and delivered to his charge. The whole num- ber of sailors was near twenty – nearly all from the DOLPHIN – a few from the whale ships, and two or three of the residents. Captain Percival expressed a regret that the riot had occurred, but added, that he could scarce blame the man, and that we now had proof that it would not do to have such a law, and that the Missionaries were the sole causes of the mob. When assured by us, that we had nothing to do in the government, and in no case prescribed civil laws to the people; he contradicted us in the most pos- itive manner and said he knew better. The next morning two messengers came from him to the chiefs, saying they must repeal the law. Boki’s courage failed, and he took such measures as in a good degree to comply with the demand, and multitudes of ignorant and degraded females have again resorted to the ships and their former abominable practices. Some of our Christian friends at home may have shed a tear, when reading of the abuse of a British whale ship, but no evil came from that outrage – tell them now to weep tears of blood over the lamentable consequences to this people of the violence and infamy of one of our national vessels. The Chiefs consider Captain Percival as much the instigator of the attack as though he had headed the mob in person. Karaimoku, the most energetic and effi cient of the chiefs, is almost gone with the dropsy, and can no longer hold the reins of government – and, it is probable the chiefs will never again act decidedly on this point, till some American offi cer of higher rank, and better principles than Captain Percival comes to the island, and by his example and authority does away the evil caused by him. I ought, in justice to Captain Percival to add, that he cause six or seven of his men to be whipped. I have given all these particulars that you may be able to correct any false statements on the subject in America. We feel that our situation is critical, and at all times truly perilous. This is certain, that if many more such vessels as the DOLPHIN visit the islands, there will be no hope for our lives.”


fore the public, we have no hesitation in say- ing, that the Head of the Navy Department should cause an immediate investigation in regard to the conduct of the commander of the DOLPHIN.


New York Daily Advertiser Shipwreck. We learn from Capt. Jones,


that the schooner JANE, of Camden, drifted ashore at Brier Island in the night of the 23rd inst. bottom up, dismasted, and a complete wreck. The JANE sailed from this port about fi ve weeks since for Boston, laden with lumber, and was commanded by Captain Horatio Eaton of Camden. There were, we understand, 2 or 3 passengers on board, who, with the crew, probably our lost. Captain Eaton had been married but a few days, and was a man much esteemed and respected.


24 January Sea Serpents. – The Supercargo of a


vessel recently returned to New York from the East Indies, states in his Journal, that in latitude 40 south, he saw 20 monsters resembling serpents carrying their heads three or four feet above the water: their bodies appeared of an irregular shape, like sinking rocks, and covered with barnacles. Their tails were forked like those of fi sh, and very large. The general appearance cor- responded with the descriptions of the Sea Serpent which has appeared on our coast for a number of years past.


Mobile on the 23rd


We learn by the MORNING STAR, at ult. from Havana, that


a boat from the U. S. frigate CONSTEL- LATION had been fi red on from a Spanish frigate in the port of Havana. The offi cer of the boat surrendered himself as a prisoner on board the Spanish frigate, where he re- mained all night. The next morning the com- mander of the CONSTELLATION demand- ed the release of his offi cer from the admiral and the punishment of the Spanish captain, who was under trial when the MORNING STAR sailed, and it was supposed he would be broke. New York Gazette


A Spanish schooner under Dutch colors


has been captured by the English sloop of war AURORA. On going into the hold 240 slaves were found in a state of starvation – 60 had died out of a cargo of 300. On throwing a yam among them, they fought for it like hungry wolves – the schooner had only one days provisions when captured.


The slave vessel PRINCE OF GUINEA


has been captured by a party of British in the schooner HOPE – they had 578 slaves on board.


It is understood that a vessel will sail


from Philadelphia in a few days for Greece, with a cargo of twelve or fi fteen hundred bbls., of fl our – a donation from the mer- chants and others of that city to the suff ering Greeks.


The brig LIBERATOR, Pool, of Port-


land, from New Orleans (left Balize 18th December) with 500 bales of cotton, and a quantity of lead, went ashore, at 5 AM on the 22nd


, on the Table Land of Marien about


10 miles from Havana. Capt. Pool and Mr. Clement A. Mudd, passenger, were, taken off , same morning, by the ROBT. BURNS, from Mobile arrived at Havana. Mr. Mudd arrived at New York (where the vessel was bound,) in the GEN. PIKE. The mate and crew remained by the wreck 2 or 3 days, when she went to pieces. They saved only 20 bales of cotton, and the sails and rigging – and had arrived at Havana.


A new expedition is preparing at Cadiz


to sail for America in the Spring. It will con- sist of the vessel EL SOBERANO, a frigate now constructing at Ferrol, and a brig which was built at Bayonne. The terms upon which Spain now is with England, may possibly change the destination of these vessels.


31 January The Pirate. The execution of Merchant


and Colson, sentenced to death in Boston, will take place on Thursday next. One of them, Merchant, made an unsuccessful at- tempt to commit suicide a few evening since. “When the hour shall come (says the


Worcester Aegis) when these wretched men will pass the limit separating time from eternity, there will, doubtless, be crowds gathered around to witness the deplorable spectacle of human suff ering, and to weep in sympathy with the felons whose lives have been forfeited to the mercy rather than the sternness or justice. For the honor of a moral community, we trust no avaricious harpies will be suff ered to creep into their dungeons to draw from the lips of the mur- derers to weave into fi ctitious tales of rapine and violence, and published to the world the disgusting narratives. It has been a custom to blaze and the achievements of successful villainy in all the graces of luxuriant style, and hold up the mirrors of ingenious crime for the accomplishment of minor depreda- tions on society. So far as such publications have any infl uence, they tend to corrupt and deprave. The condemned criminal is dressed out as a hero, meeting his fate at the gallows with magnanimous constancy, and his character is held up, not as a beacon to warn off the hard way of the transgressor, but an example to admire and imitate.


7 February MEXICAN SQUADRON


Extract of a Letter from Havana January 11


The squadron, under Commodore


Laborde, consisting of 3 frigates and 3 brigs, discovered the Mexican squadron soon after leaving this port. Laborde immediately gave chase, and soon discovered that Commodore Porter did not wish to hazard an engagement with him. Commodore Porter succeeded in getting into Key West, with his squadron, where he is strictly blockaded by Laborde. The brigs MARTE and BELLONA are constantly employed to transport provisions from Havana to Key West, to supply the Spanish squadron. The Government are highly pleased with the conduct of Laborde and are using every eff ort to get ready for sea the other ships in port, which will join Laborde as soon as possible. Commodore Porter had taken a schooner from Africa, which had previously landed 300 slaves, on the coast of Cuba. This schooner and the brig HERCULES, before taken, are carried into Key West. – N. Y. Mer. We learn verbally that it was currently


reported at Havana that Laborde would make an attempt to cut out the Mexican fl eet. The frigate CONSTELLATION sailed on the 8th


, supposed for Key West, in order, as


was surmised, to be on the spot in case of any diffi culties occurring. * * * * *


arrived at Havana on the 7th


The schooner THORN, from Key West, of January (sent


as a cartel by Commodore Porter,) with thir- ty sailors and fi ve friars, crew and passen- gers of the Spanish brig HERCULES, from Cadiz for Havana, captured off San Antonio by Commodore Porter squadron, as already mentioned.


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