Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands - Kamehameha l (Part 6) The US GenWeb Archives provide genealogical and historical data to the general public without fee or charge of any kind. It is intended that this material not be used in a commercial manner. All submissions become part of the permanent collection. Historical Collections of The Hawaiian Islands " Keepers of the Culture " A study in time of the Hawaiian Islands Kamehameha l and stories told by the ancients -- part 6 Capt George Vancouver by Darlene E. Kelley November 9, 2000 http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00026.html#0006374 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ As told by the ancients -- part 6 The Friendship of Kamehameha and Capt Vancouver continued to grow. Vancouver's continous gifts of cattle, sheep, and rams increased the herds and they were let to run wild as food for them were plentiful. Kamehameha expressed his thanks in many ways of gifts of the islands. However, Vancouver was greatly alarmed over the depletion of the population of the islands through continued warfare. He constantly talked peace to Kamehameha and to the chiefs of all the islands, not only for the sake of the Hawaiian peoples, but in the interest of trade between Hawaiian people and foreign countries. To this end, before he left for England, he urged Kamehameha to declare himself and the people of Hawai'i as subjects of the British crown. This Kamehameha refused to do unless Vancouver would agree to leave one of his ships at the island to help him in defending himself and his people from attacks by their enemies. Vancouver did not leave a vessel for the King, but before he went away he did have the men outfit one of Kamehameha's largest canoes with canvas sails, and he gave him a Union Jack and a pennant. He arranged for the building of a vessel named the Britannia, the keel of which was laid before he sailed. He also promised Kamehameha that a man-o-war, equpped with brass cannons and filled with European supplies, would be sent to him by the British government. It is claimed that Vancouver did, finally, persuade Kamehameha to make a " cession " of the island of Hawai'i to Great Britain, but the ancients say there is no record that England at that time took any official action concerning the matter, and that if any such a plan had been made it probably amounted only to protectorate. The Hwaiian people declared that Kamehameha never intended to give the island away. In all of Vancouver's writings of his experiences in Hawai'i, he tells of the fine cooperation which was given to him by Kamehameha and his friendship, while at the same keeping his independance and control. In his dealings with white men, he was never their servant but always their master. Captain Vanvouver was anxious to build an observatory near the temple. Kamehameha allowed the observatory to be built, but with distinct understanding that Vancouver's men were in no way to disturb the observance of the taboo or to enter the sacred precincts of the temple. He also insisted that no white man should be allowed to wander about the country. He said he had enemies and they might make trouble. If anyone should wish to travel in the district he must first ask permission and that so he could provide proper guidance and protection. Items around the temple was sacred and they must be preserved, so he forbade them from taking any soveniers or stone from around this temple. Vancouver lost no opportunity to give Kamehameha an understanding of what civilization would do for the islands. He advised hm regarding the people who were arriving.he told him not to permit any man wom he could trust to remain. He once said that only John Young and Isaac Davis should be llowed to stay and that most of the foreigners who had settled in the islands were of very bad character, evil hearted, desiring to acquire the lands but were not the right persons to live thereon, as they belonged to the people of Hawai'i. Captain Vancouver died in England not long after his return to the country. The plans which may have been made for further assistance to Kamehameha and his people were not carried out. When he left the islands, Kamehameha, Kaahumanu, John Young and Isaac Davis followed his ship out to sea, no doubt feelng that their best friend had gone. Their next few years tells of Kamehameha's advancing power. The old king Kahekili had died in 1794 at his home in Waikiki. At the time of his death, he was in control of the islands of Maui, Oahu, Molokai, and Lnni, and through his brother, Kaeo, of Kauai ad the small island of Niihau. His son, Kalanikupele, was the reigning chief of the island of Oahu. Kamehameha was looking forward to including all of these islands in the great empire of which he dreamed. But he had a long road of conquest to travel before reaching his goal. Following the death of Kahekili, Kaeo decided to make a visit to his old home on Kauai. He sailed from Maui by way of Oahu, taking his army with him. When he reached Oahu he stopped at Waimanalo. Disputes, partly over inheritance, arose between him and Kalanikupule, which resulted in war. The Oahu king was in a desperate situation. At this time, three foreign ships arrived. Two of these vessels, the Jackal and the Prince Lee Boo. were English ships under the command of Captain William Brown. The third vessel, the Lady Washington, was an American ship with Captain John Hendrick in Command. These vessels were not stangers in the islands as they were trading vessels and had made frequent visits to Hawai'i. [ It was Captain Brown who was given credit for discovering the harbor of Honolulu. The tender to one of the ships was the first vessel to enter Honolulu harbor.] Kalanikupule appealed to Captain Brown for assistance. The Captain decided to help him. The two mates of the Jackal and the Prince Lee Boo also volunteered to fight for the King of Oahu. This was a sucessful move, and Kaeo was killed. Captain Brown fired a salute to celebrate the victory. Unfortunately, the guns were loaded with shot which pierced the side of the American ship, the Lady Washington, killing Captain Hendrick and several of his crew. The Lady Wasington immediately set sail for China. Kalanikupule decided that if he could get contol of the two English ships, he might be able to attack and conquor Kamehameha on the island of Hawai'i. So he devised a cunning plot and as a result the Jackal and the Prince Lee Boo was captured. Brown and Gordon lost their lives and the surviving members of the crews were taken prisioners. Kalanikupule planned an immediate attack on the island of Hawai'i. The crews of the Jackal anf the Prince Lee Boo were ordered to get the ships ready for sea. This was done. The King and Queen and their retinue then went on board and took possession of their new vessels. The two mates of the English ships decided that they, with their crews, would try to retake the vessels. Ths was a daring venture, but they succeeded.The natives were either killed or driven from the ships, with the exception of Kalanikupule and his queen and their personal attendants. Near dawn, the ships were put out to sea. While still ashore, the king and queen were placed in a canoe and set afloat. The ships sailed on to the island of Hawai'i, where the two mates secured supplies. They left a letter for John Young and Isaac Davis, telling them of the situation on Oahu, and sailed at once for Canton. Captain William Brown--- [ in harbor 1793 -1794] Captain William Brown was an early trading Captain, first arrived in Command of the ritish ship Butterworth in 1793, in which he entered Honolulu Harbor-- probably the first foreigner to do so. For a while this was called " Brown's Harbor." He returned in 1794 as master of the Jackal, in company with Captain Gordon of the Prince Lee Boo. Brown sold arms to Kananikapule and eight sailors from the two vessels fought on the side of this chief against Kaeo. Later both Brown and Gordon were murdered under the orders of Kalanikapule in an attempt to steal the ships. Great Britain made an appeal to Kamehamheha about these atrosities. Ships were retaken by crew members and returned into service under new commands.