THE FOURTH OF JULY-EDITOR ABROAD
Source: The Friend, Honolulu: August 1, 1844
To every American, how rich in hallowed associations is THIS
DAY. At home, the day is ushered in with the firing of cannon, and celebrated
by processions, addresses, picnic parties, temperance festivals, and the
thousand methods of rejoicing, known to them only who take part in the exciting
scenes.
The DAY is remembered too abroad. Under the ample folds of
the “star-spangled banner” the enterprising sons of the great North American
republic, on ship and shore, give full expression to their patriotic love of
country. The citizen of the U.S. on the sea, is always proud to show his
colors, while the resident among the people of other lands, other languages and
national customs, rejoices that he can claim the protection of a flag respected
an honored.
For an American citizen to appreciate his full privileges,
he must visit other climes and nations. In years gone past, it has been our
privilege to meet with assembled thousands in celebrating the “day.” On one
occasion, to hear a country parson, set forth the glorious privileges of
free-masonry; on another, to witness an imposing military parade of U.S.
troops, on the very spot where the immortal Washington won his proudest laurels
as an able general-the battleground of Trenton; and on still another, the
masterly eloquence of Webster made an impression which time does not efface.
It was upon the Fourth of July, that John Hawkins, the
apostle of the great Washingtonian Temperance Reform, made us to feel that
national liberty was a precious blessing, but that freedom from the galling
chain of intemperance was more precious. Although a man might enjoy civil,
religious and national liberty, yet if he was addicted to habits of intemperance,
he was still in bondage –a miserable and degraded slave. Is not the drunkard a
slave? Yes; answers the unanimous voice of ransomed thousands.
Amid the recollections of past scenes, memory recalls one 4th
of July, spent among friends and acquaintance -an agreeable party- in one of
the wild, secluded and mountainous regions seldom visited except by a
wood-chopper or hunter. The spot was near the heights of Mount Washington.
Our table was spread, upon the ground, within a few rods of
a monument defining the point where the corners of Connecticut and New York
meet the southern boundary line of the old Bay State. Years have since passed;
other scenes have succeeded.
We doubled Cape Horn on one of the last days of June 1842,
and the 4th of July was spent off the western coast of Patagonia. We
were beating against a northerly wind, dead ahead. A cold and drizzling storm
drove all from the deck except the weather-beaten sailor. “Salt beef and hard
tack” was our principal fare. More than 100 days had passed since we had been
cheered by the last glimpse of terra firma. One of Uncle Sam’s best 600 ton
merchantmen was our temporary home, and we strove to be very patriotic!
But why dwell upon the past? Has the present no incentives
to excite patriotic love of country?
Here were are in quiet Kealakekua, enjoying with out
traveling companions, the kind hospitalities of the American Mission families,
Messrs. Forbes and Ives, on the very spot replete with historical association
the most interesting. Here fell Cook. Around us are temples of idolatrous
worship mouldering ruins, while here stands a neat and spacious house dedicated
to the only living and true God. A reading population dwell here; but it has
been trained in schools after an American model. It was from free, happy and
enlightened America, that the ministers of religion and the teachers of schools
came, to impart the blessings of education, civilization and Christianity to
this once heathen people. Be assured, our countrymen have not been idle. Has an
American visitor to the shores of Hawaii no incentives to patriotic emotions on
the 4th of July? Influences emanating from his own land have
conferred blessings inestimable upon this; nor has the current of benevolent
action ceased as yet to flow. While, at home we loved our country, we love her
more, dwelling upon these far-off shores. We love her institutions –civil,
literary and religious- and long may they continue to bless her thriving
citizens at home, and dithuse a holy savior through the other nations of the
earth.
This morning we rode on horseback from the mission station
at Kailua to this place, a distance of 14 miles. The road was good-the best we
had seen on the islands, considering the rugged and uneven nature of the
country. Such immense tracts of lava piled up in every shape, would have
well-nigh bewildered the scheming brain of a rail-road contractor. By mistaking
our road, we came upon the identical spot where Cook was killed. It is the
village of Kaawaloa, on the opposite side of the bay, from Kealakekua. The
stump of a cocoa-nut tree has been set up in the fissure of the rocks to mark
the spot where he fell, only a few feet from the water’s edge. It is five feet
high, one foot in diameter bears three inscriptions on copper plate:
No. 1 –“Near this spot, fell Capt. JAMES COOK, R.N.; the
renowned circumnavigator who discovered the islands A.D. 1778.
“His Majesty’s Ship Imogene, Oct. 17, 1837.”
No. 2 –“This sheet and coppering put on by Sparrow-hawk,
September 16, 1839, in order to preserve this monument to the memory of Cook,
“Give this a coat of tar.”
Underneath the above, there is another inscription on a
sheet of copper, quite characteristic of the naval commander who caused it to
be there posted. It reads as follows:
No. 3 –“This Bay was visited July 4th, 1843 by
H.M.S. Carysfort. The Rt. Hon. Ld. Geo. Paulet, Captain; who was the
representative of Her Britannic Majesty Queen Victoria. These islands were
ceded February 25, 1843.”
Methinks the Rt. Honorable, within less than one month from
that visit, regretted having thus posted his folly! For within that period, the
Carysfort’s guns saluted once again the old Hawaiian flag.
Another monument on the neighboring eminence, marks the spot
where were buried the ashes of his body after it was burnt. We have not as yet
visited the place. In a house nearest the spot where he was killed, we visited
an aged woman, who is totally blind. She remarked that when young, she sung
songs for Cook’s amusement. She appeared at least 75 or 80 year’s old. I learned
that she had always resided on or near the place.
Kealakekua Bay, July 4th, 1844.
P.S. The cocoa-tree bearing the above inscriptions, was
partially “cut off” by a ball from Cook’s ship, at the time he was killed. The
top portion was taken to England, by Capt. Bruce, H.M.S. Imogene. So says
report at Kealakekua Bay.
July 5th.
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