But what promises most speedily and effectually to pro cure them the blessings of refinement and civilization, is the introduction of the knowledge of the gospel, an ob ject which the Missionary Society are endeavouring to carry into execution. Several of the natives have already been converted, and are now devoting their whole time to the education of their countrymen. Krimakoo, the king's prime minister, having abjured paganism, has been bap tised into the Christian church ; and as the king himself, with several of his family, treat the missionaries with much kindness, and condescend to listen to their instruc tions, the benevolent exertions of those amiable and enter prising men, it is hoped, will, at no distant period, be crowned with complete success.
The form of government established in Owhyhee is monarchical. There are three degrees of rank inferior to that of royalty, all of•which seem to be hereditary. When Captain Cook first landed on this island, a person named Terreeoboo was king, a man advanced in years, and of mild and generous dispositions, who was soon after wards succeeded by Al affia-Mailia, who filled the throne in 1786, when Captains Pollock and Dixon visited the island. On the death of this latter sovereign, which took place previously to 1794, Tamaahmaah was elevated to the regal dignity, whose son, the present sovereign, a per son of no great promise, is denominated Tamaahmaah the Second. This island was ceded to his Britannic Majesty (1794) in the reign of Tamaahmaah the first, who, with his whole people, acknowledged themselves to be subjects of Great Britain. This, of which the advantages are very problematical, was effected chiefly through the address and influence of Captain Vancouver, to whose Voyages Nve refer the reader for farther information on this subject ; and an inscription on copper, recording the circumstances relative to the cession, was deposited in a conspicuous place at the royal residence. During the stay of this celebrat
ed navigator in the island, he caused his engineers to build a vessel of considerable size, which he called the Britan nia, to be presented to his Owhyhean Majesty. The talents and ambition of the natives have already prompt ed them to attempt the construction of similar vessels, some of which can boast of a few light guns ; and the marine force of Tamaahmaah has now attained to such a respectable state that he is completely master of the main in these parts. The introduction of the art of ship-build ing by Vancouver may, it is not improbable, form an im portant xra in the commercial as well as the naval his tory of Owhyhee. The situation of those islands, of which the one we are considering is the largest, is extremely favourable for commerce, " as all the vessels," we are told, " bound to the north-west coast on the fur trade, and also many of those bound to the coast of Asia, stop here for provisions, and to make repairs." Owhyhee, in addi tion to the various advantages of situation, contains also several commodious bays, of which Karakakooa, where Captain Cook landed, is the most celebrated. It is situa ted on the west of Akona, is several hundred fathoms in depth, and about a mile and a half in width. None of the Owhyhean towns or rather villages have yet been men tioned; and it need now merely be said, that none of them are situated above four or five miles distant from the shore, and that Kirooah and Kakooa are the most considerable.
See the Voyages of Cook, La Perouse, Vancouver, &c. see also the Missionary Voyage conducted by Captain Wilson, and the Missionary Register. (T. m.)